As a fan of Vietnamese food, I have the banh mi pretty high up on the list of my favorite sandwiches. And thankfully, North Carolina has some decent options for Vietnamese eats and banh mi. Surprisingly, one of the best banh mi shops sits in Greensboro, Banh Mi Saigon. And while I don’t live in the area, I’ll often stop in when driving through. Here’s why Banh Mi Saigon is putting out a GREAT sandwich!
One thing to know is that Banh Mi Saigon is a pretty easy detour off of I-40 if you’re heading east or west through Greensboro. Head on over to a little plaza that hosts a variety of other Vietnamese businesses, it’s a bit run-down. The light and bright sign overhead makes Banh Mi Saigon easy to find. Inside, it’s a super simple counter set-up with a refrigerated case to the side. Banh Mi Saigon also has a small inside dining space but it’s super utilitarian and basic so don’t expect too much.
When it comes to the food and menu at Banh Mi Saigon, you’ve got a choice of 15 or so sandwiches with a handful of vermicelli (bun) and rice dishes (com). A line-up of bubble tea and coffees finishes up the menu, super basic. Everything here is super affordable with all items under $15 and most of the banh mi in the $6 range. The protein choices ranged from chicken, grilled pork, grilled beef, meatball, cold cuts, tofu, and more.
I recommend starting with the classic Banh Mi Saigon classic, a cold bahn mi layered with pate, pork roll, and jambon. Or go with a grilled pork banh mi which is typically my favorite. Given the price, I’m often buying 3 or 4 at a time, cutting them in half and sampling a variety of banh mi for my meal. As luck would have it, they hold well in a cooler so order extra and bring them on home! The sandwiches are about 12″ long but not heavy at all, so eating two banh mi in one sitting is possible.
So what makes the Saigon Banh Mi sandwiches so good? For me, the banh mi is all about the bread. Due to the French influences in Vietnamese cuisine, banh mi bread is similar to a light baguette: crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. In addition to the proteins inside, banh mis typically have some bo (Vietnamese butter-mayo) and pate spread on the bun, and the meats are topped with julienned carrot, daikon/cucumber, jalapenos, and cilantro. So there’s a mix of savory, rich, and crispy, vegetables. It’s the contrast of ingredients that makes a banh mi great!
The classic banh mi showcases layer pate, jambon, and pork roll, which means it’s super simple and shows off the basics of a banh mi. And because it’s served up cold, you can easily bring this banh mi home. The grilled pork banh mi is served up warm and works perfectly with the slightly sweet, carmelized pork layered with the cold veggies. Grilled pork is used in a lot of Vietnamese dishes so it is the perfect foil for everything else in this banh mi, dee-licious!
In addition to the sandwiches, Banh Mi Saigon usually sells some cold items up front, I’ve spied a pandan cake, cold salads, steamed buns, and more but I’m not 100% familiar with these items. All I can say is that Banh Mi Saigon serves up a great sandwich that is super authentic in my experience. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem the next time you’re in the Greensboro area.
36 hours at Carolina Beach for Surf, Sun, and Great Eats