When that afternoon slump hits and brekky is a distant memory, the best fix is a fully loaded, so-fresh-it's-fragrant, chilli-spiked bánh mì – paired with a strong Vietnamese iced coffee, of course. While we're not short on great options around Melbourne to choose from, it can't hurt to add one more to your list.
Bonus points: this one's a drive-through! A Vietnamese-Australian family have opened Melbourne's only active drive-through bánh mì store on Hampstead Road in Maidstone and hungry drivers are fast joining the queue. Bánh Mì Vietnam operates daily from the car park of a wedding reception venue.
“There’s nothing else like this in Melbourne,” owner Isabella Le commented. “We wanted to create something new that still honours the food we grew up with – fast service, bold flavours and real Vietnamese ingredients – just with a drive-through twist.”
Though Le and her family spotted a gap in the drive-through market, there's no trade-off in quality for convenience.
“It’s proper bánh mì – made fresh daily, with pâté, pickled veg and crispy bread, but made easy for tradies, parents and anyone with a busy day,” shared Le.
The kitchen staff include Vietnamese chefs who've grown up making the traditional recipes – now brought to you, straight through a window and into your car.
You can expect all your faves here – from crackling pork to lemongrass tofu rolls, with rice paper rolls, spring rolls and two-piece packs of fried chicken to tempt an extra snack or two.
“We wanted to show that drive-through food doesn’t have to be generic or mass-produced,” said Le. “It can still be real, handmade and connected to culture.”
Bánh Mì Vietnam is located at 42 Hampstead Road, Maidstone and is open daily on weekdays from 8am-4pm and weekends 9am-4pm. Find out more at the website or follow them on Instagram.
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