The best banh mi in Sydney

What is it? Is Sydney’s best banh mi found at 335 Chapel Road, Bankstown? It’s certainly up there. Phuong 18 is a relatively new Vietnamese bakery by Bui and his wife Mai Vong in a lively hub that feels more Ho Chi Minh than Sydney.

Why we love it: The banh mi here are generous, fresh and delicious. While there may be a line snaking along the footpath when you visit, the seven or so workers make sure it moves quickly. They make the baguettes in-house so they’re crunchy and fluffy, filled with the perfect balance of saltiness, fattiness, freshness, sweetness and zing. It’s a hefty, day-making delight.

Time Out tip: The classic pork roll costs $8. I went with the roast pork with extra meat ($11.50), but their speciality is the salted pork ($9.50), so I’m coming back for that.

Address: 335 Chapel Road, Bankstown

Expect to pay: $8-$11.50

What is it? Part of the beauty of the humble banh mi is that it can be served up from a hole-in-the-wall, and one of Sydney’s original grab-and-go spots, Marrickville Pork Roll, really is just that. You won’t be able to miss it though, with a line of eager banh mi buffs stretching along Illawarra Road, and even at times, back up to Marrickville Road.

Why we love it: The traditional, winning formula remains unchanged, combining a generous helping of sliced cold-cut pork, with pickled carrot and daikon adding to the crunchy texture, and a liberal drizzle of house-made spicy chilli sauce. The sauce is a standout for this banh mi, with a subtle sweetness to go along with the heat, but it doesn’t overpower the rest of the roll. What are you waiting for? Get in line.

Time Out tip: Bringing along a vego friend? Don’t overlook the meatless options here, thanks to some killer salad sangas and loads of rice paper roll options that’ll keep you going through the afternoon.

Address: ​​236A Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $8–$10

What is it? A well-known family-run establishment in Bankston, with a respected track record of more than 30 years of good service and even better food.

Why we love it: The family’s love of food and passion for cooking is undoubtedly why this banh mi is heralded across Sydney; each ingredient complements the other – from the rich pâté and mayo, made in-house, to freshly pickled shreds of carrot and daikon, spicy chilli and the secret barbecue pork recipe. The barbecue pork banh mi balances savoury, sour and salty flavours well, and the ratio of meat to salad is right on the mark. This is how you do it.

Time Out tip: Don’t forget to indulge in some traditional Vietnamese desserts before you go, such as pandan sticky rice with mung beans or the delicious cassava cake.

Address: ​​49 Bankstown City Plaza, Bankstown NSW 2200

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $7.50-$9.50

What is it? Top Ryde Baker’s House is a family-owned-and-operated bakery located in the Top Ryde shopping centre next to Woolies. 

Why we love it: Our favourite is the classic pork roll. It comes on a golden baguette that has a crisp exterior and is light and fluffy in the middle. It's slathered with sweet mayo and rich pâté, plus a generous filling of cold-cut pork, as well as fresh radish, onion, coriander and fried shallots for texture – it's the perfect balance of sweet and salty, fatty and fresh.

Time Out tip: Only got a short lunch break? Don’t be deterred by the long line snaking along the glossy tiles. The wait is very much worth it.

Address: ​​LG2, 109 Blaxland Road, Ryde NSW 2112

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $8–$12

What is it? If there’s one Vietnamese bakery that transcends suburban lines and draws crowds from near and far, it has to be Mascot’s Hong Ha Bakery. Operating for more than 30 years, the non-descript shopfront has been serving up the same fresh rolls since day dot, and you'll almost always spot a queue that snakes out the door. 

Why we love it: This is a traditional pork roll that celebrates simple things done right – the bread is the hero, still warm in the hand, straight from the ovens out back, with a golden crunchy crust and a pillowy interior. Three types of pork (Vietnamese devon, cured and barbecued) with a hearty slathering of pâté, mayo and a fistful of crunchy salad make this quite the stomach-pleasing two-hander. 

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the special chilli sauce, which hits with a sweet tinge before bringing the fire – each element combining perfectly to keep the devoted customer coming back for more.

Address: ​​1151 Botany Road, Mascot NSW 2020

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $9–$14

What is it? Hurstville's Phu Cuong King's Hot Bread has been serving delicious, full-to-the-brim rolls since 1997 that’ll take you from Forest Road straight to the streets of Hoi An in one big bite. 

Why we love it: Coming in at a very reasonable eight bucks, the classic pork roll arrives in a fresh and crunchy baguette with mayo and pâté and filled with pork belly and Vietnamese devon, cucumber, shredded carrot, red onion, coriander, spring onions, chilli, King’s famous soy sauce and salt and pepper. Happiness in a bite? It’s pretty bloody close.

Time Out tip: One of King’s best-sellers is the pork and dim sim roll, where in a stroke of genius the plump dumplings are literally added onto the baguette too.

Address: ​​273 Forest Road, Hurstville NSW 2220

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $8–$13.50

What is it? A Cabramatta institution that has been knocking out authentic Vietnamese sandwiches for more than three decades.

Why we love it: The bread roll is bang on, with a crusty, crunchy exterior and a light, airy interior. It’s complemented by cold cuts, bright pickled carrots, smooth pâté, and fresh chilli and coriander. Bonus points that Viet Hoa is open 24/7.

Time Out tip: The roasted pork roll is only available after 6pm if you’re after more crunch.

Address: ​​107 John Street, Cabramatta NSW 2166

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $7–$9

What is it? Found on Botany Road in Alexandria, Lokha calls itself a ‘Vietnamese Fusion Café’, and we reckon that’s an accurate summary of a spot that serves chicken karaage banh mi, Philly cheese steak banh mi, and Vietnamese-style tacos, among others. 

Why we love it: On the menu, there are noodle salad bowls, beef pho and Vietnamese beef stew, so you’ve got a lot of variety to choose from – but Lokha’s banh mi is our pick. And we aren’t the only ones: the team serves about 200 of these bad boys a day. As well as the karaage banh mi, we dig the Vietnamese grilled chicken roll. The chicken is coated in a fragrant makrut lime and soy sauce marinade, and the cucumber, onion and pickled carrot provide a fresh crunch.

Time Out tip: Once a month Lokha serves a smoked brisket banh mi, where the slow-cooked fatty meat and smoky notes take the roll to another level.

Address: ​​1/414 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $8–$13.50, most other dishes around $18-$22, plus a drink

What is it? A no-frills Vietnamese eatery on Enmore Road. 

Why we love it: The rolls span crackling pork, spicy curry chicken, spicy beef, barbecue pork, traditional pork and more, plus a selection of vego and vegan options with loads of fresh salad – one will set you back around $11.50. It’s hard to pass up just-out-of-the-oven pork belly. The baguettes are perfect – crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle – before being lathered with mayo and pâté. Ours was then filled with the still-juicy meat, pickled radish and carrot, fresh coriander and spring onion, and amped up with a house-made savoury sauce made from traditional pork cooking juices, plus a kick of chilli oil. So yum. 

Time Out tip: Elsewhere on the menu, there’s pho and vermicelli noodle salads, plus fresh fruit juices for when you need a vitamin hit.

Address: ​​207 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $7–$12

What is it? A famous Vietnamese bakery and sandwich shop owned by long-time foodie Kenny, who describes his mission “to bring joy to the mouths of many. One pork roll at a time.”

‍Why we love it: While simplicity is often a key strength in the world of the banh mi, here at Kenny's Pork Rolls in Darlinghurst, variety is king. There are a whopping 12 banh mi variations to choose from including a particularly good grilled sweet sausage roll and an unconventional eight-hour slow cooked lamb twist. But people flock here for the crisp pork belly variant which never fails to satisfy. 

Time Out tip: On your second visit (and you won’t want to visit this fave just once), try the soft-shell crab roll for something a bit different.

Address: ​​159 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Expect to pay: $9-$15 for a roll, $16–$22 for a combo deal

What is it? Named after the pronunciation of the Vietnamese word for bread (Ổ Bánh mì), this quaint shop, shoehorned into one of the heritage sandstone terraces on Harris Street, has been open since 2014. The banh mi offerings are uniquely varied, ranging from the traditional pork roll to twists like the veggies delight – a mix of stir-fried vegetables with salad and a fried vegetarian spring roll.

Why we love it: Our pick of the bunch for a hearty lunch is the chicken schnitzel banh mi, a crumbed, fried chicken breast served on a crunchy-crusted toasted baguette, crammed full of thick cucumber slices and grated carrot, and topped off with a tantalizing herb and chilli mayo.

Time Out tip: If it’s hot out, wash the goodness down with an iced coconut juice. Perfect lunch: achieved.

Address: ​​115 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $11-$14

What is it? A simple corner restaurant on Enmore Road, founded by Michael Le in 2011. Recipes here were passed down by his grandmother, Thi Ba Nguyen (the smiling face in the restaurant's logo), who was taught to cook by her own grandmother. This lineage of culinary knowledge manifests itself in some truly outstanding banh mi. 

Why we love it: Baguettes here (both white and wholemeal) are fresh from the family’s Marrickville bakery; the wholemeal is worthy of a try, swapping a hard crust for a super light and spongy crumb that’s easy to rip in to. You'll find tart slices of Granny Smith apple in your salad, which amp up the slightly sour component of any good roll. It’s all packed in with a plentiful helping of succulent roasted pork, with crisp bits of crackling folded in, making up for any lost crunch.

Time Out tip: For something more snack-sized, the fresh rice paper rolls are simple, super-soft fingers of noodles, herbs and your choice of duck, prawn or tofu. It's the fragrant, peanut dipping sauce that really makes these little snack soldiers shine.

Address: ​​115 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $11-$14

What is it? A charming Vietnamese eatery in Alexandria, renowned for its epic DIY banh mi boxes.

Why we love it: The legends at Lit Canteen in Alexandria are taking care of your takeaway needs in perhaps the best possible way. Their banh mi boxes feed four people (or two very greedy ones) and have all the fixings you know and love: pork meat; pickled daikon and carrots; little pots of mayonnaise and pâté and atomic chilli for those who are bold. There's a vegetarian option available too, for you plant-based peeps out there. 

Time Out tip: Catering for a work lunch? The team will deliver a box of goodies direct to your door – just give them a buzz on 0435 585 853.

Address: ​​115 Enmore Road, Enmore NSW 2042

Expect to pay: Banh mi around $11-$14