Family-run Banh Mi Bay Ngo is a well-known Bankstown establishment, with a respected track record of more than 30 years of good service and even better food. 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.
Where in Sydney does the best banh mi? Are you a Hong Ha Bakery fanatic? Or are you a die-hard for Marrickville Pork Roll? It seems that any time the words 'banh mi' are mentioned, people across the city will immediately jump in to pledge their allegiance to one place or another. No matter where your loyalties lie, one thing's for sure: Sydney loves a banh mi.
If ever there was an example of a trusty, uncomplicated, yet still legendary feed, it would have to be the quintessential Vietnamese baguette sandwich. They give great bang for your buck, they’re delicious, and they deliver on the flavour and texture fronts like few other sandos can. Maybe it’s the traditional meat filling, which combines not one or two, but three different types of pork. Or maybe it’s the brightness and crunch of all those fresh and pickled vegetables and herbs. Add the Vietnamese-French fusion of pâté and mayonnaise, plus soy sauce and chilli, and it starts to become clear why most sangas don’t even come close.
Below, we've pulled together the best banh mi in Sydney, curated by Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure (who has spent weeks eating her fair share – and then some – of banh mi throughout Vietnam). Enjoy.