Behind derelict shop facades and dated shopping malls – it’s unassuming places like these where you’ll find some of the best grub. Case in point: Nhung Kitchen, a casual Vietnamese eatery that’s housed in time-worn Balestier Point. This banh mi shop came about during the middle of the pandemic, when “times were tough” for married couple Nhung and Thomas.
The eatery is named for Nhung’s simple but tasty cooking, who grew up cooking for her friends and family in Vietnam. The banh mi bo xao (beef, $8) crammed full with marinated beef is their own personal favourite, but the menu also has other classic fillings like the nuong (barbecue pork, $6) and the cha lua and thit khia (ham and pâté, $6).
In fact, a ton of effort was put into finding the perfect banh mi baguette. It had to strike the right balance between being crunchy and having a light, airy crumb. As the journey went, Nhung “was disappointed after trying countless buns all over the island”. For now, they’ve found a supplier that Nhung is pleased with – it remains a trade secret, but she claims that it’s one of the more authentic baguettes in Singapore. Other ingredients are locally sourced from a market near Toa Payoh Community Centre, which Thomas sifts through to find the freshest vegetables.
They first started with just the banh mi, since this flavourful Vietnamese baguette is one of their son’s faves, but Nhung Kitchen has since grown by leaps and bounds. Try one of the bun thit bowls, rice vermicelli bowls that are topped with either grilled chicken ($7), stir-fried beef ($8), or barbecue pork ($7). The com thit rice bowls (from $7) and fresh rice rolls with prawns ($5) are also popular options.
It’s a cosy joint and most will be taking away their banh mi orders. There are several seats though, so you can still sit down for a quick bite – plus the service is top-notch. They also open till 2am daily, making it an ideal late-night supper spot for those with midnight cravings. Nhung Kitchen also offers delivery here.
