We’ve been to Bean Banh Mi several times as we always walk by when we’re grabbing groceries. They took over from Tung Hing Bakery (RIP) which used to sell banh mi’s for only $3.50. Ridiculous! They’re attached to the same building as Kingsway Deli.
It seems like there’s always a deal/special going on. It also (randomly) seems to be a favourite spot with the cops. The inside is bright and modern (lots of yellow) with speedy service. Most people grab their orders to go but there’s about half a dozen seats inside.
The menu consists of 7 banh mi options, bits & bites, biscuits and beverages.
Banh mi’s are in the $5.00 to $6.00 price range.
Menus are also right on the counter.
Banh mi ($20.20 for 5)
They had a New Year’s special where you could pick any 5 banh mi’s. We tried the dac biet (#1), five spice chicken (#4), beef stew (#5) and lemongrass chicken. All the banh mi’s come with jalapeños (optional), pickled carrot/daikon, cucumber and cilantro. The bread itself was fresh and crunchy; believe they make them in-house.
Beef stew was excellent; flavourful (detected star anise), meaty and impressed there’s chunks of tendon.
Lemongrass chicken was tender but flavours were subdued.
Five spice chicken was similar.
Dac biet comes fully loaded with a house pâté, pork belly, pig ear terrine and Vietnamese ham.
The pig ear adds a crunchy textural element. An overall satisfying dac biet.
Banh mi
Buy 5 banh mi’s and get one free. We decided to try their other options that we hadn’t previously (along with our two favourites). Chay (#6) was decent for a vegetarian option (mushroom & tofu) with the five spice prominent.
Would have preferred more tofu.
Xiu mai (#2) was okay but the pork meatballs weren’t memorable.
Lastly, the nem nuong (#3); the grilled pork patty was a little sparse in filling.
BBM is our favourite along Kingsway’s many banh mi options. Can’t go wrong with either the bo kho or dac biet.
Bean Banh Mi
https://www.facebook.com/beanbanhmi/
1198 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
(604) 875-3394
CHERRY BOB-OMBS 