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Saigon Hustle’s banh mi trio.
Saigon Hustle serves banh mi, made with bread baked fresh daily — all via drive-thru.
Saigon Hustle

17 Houston Restaurants With Brag-Worthy Banh Mi

Few other cities in the country have banh mi down quite like the Bayou City

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Saigon Hustle serves banh mi, made with bread baked fresh daily — all via drive-thru.
| Saigon Hustle

Banh mi isn’t your average sandwich. It’s a historical art form.

Stemming from France’s occupation of Vietnam in the mid-19th century, the dish is a flavorful combination of Vietnamese and French flavors, in which a crispy and fluffy French baguette serves as the cradle for succulent meats, fresh and pickled vegetables, creamy sauces, and at times, a lathering of pate or aioli.

Though a result and reminder of colonization, this budget-friendly street food has turned into a beloved signature within the Vietnamese community. Home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the country, Houston harbors ample restaurants that are dishing out expertly made sandwiches, alongside comforting bowls of pho and vermicelli.

Try it for yourself, using this list of some of the best banh mi in the city.

Don’t see your favorite banh mi purveyor on this list? Shout it out in the comments.

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Ba Mien Bistro

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Sandwiches are a sure-fire specialty at this no-frills Vietnamese bistro. But if the quality banh mi — made with your choice of grilled pork, beef, or chicken — isn’t quite enough, add and order of chili-basil wings, tofu spring rolls, or a bowl of pho to your meal.

Saigon Hustle

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The success of this Garden Oaks Vietnamese drive-thru proves healthier options on the go are not only possible, but in demand. This colorful fast-casual joint offers banh mi sandwiches with proteins like chargrilled barbecue pork, honey soy barbecued chicken, and honey-glazed lemongrass tofu. Go whole hog, and add on pate or a sunny side up egg.

Moon Rabbit

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Since opening last year, Moon Rabbit has made its mark in the Heights, offering an elevated take on Vietnamese food that is still authentic and familiar. Banh mi options include grilled pork and chicken, but the stand out is the bo kho dip — a sandwich of tender braised beef shank, served with a side of the stew it was cooked in for dipping. The bread is crunchy and flaky, and the stew is fragrant with lemongrass, anise, and cinnamon.

Bao Bao Banh Mi

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Since 2016, Bao Bao has gotten creative with its banh mi, marinating its meats and proteins in sauces like lemongrass soy sauce, Hawaiian pineapple glaze, and Korean gochujang. Try the pork, pate, and grilled chicken-loaded “special,” or the bulgogi rib-eye beef banh mi — both of which are topped with jalapeno, pickled carrots, cucumbers, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic aioli. Vegetarian? Opt for alternatives made with avocado or caramelized tofu.

Old Saigon Cafe

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Aside from heartwarming pho, Old Saigon’s Vietnamese cuisine is worth bragging about to your friends. Served with a side of truffle fries, banh mi sandwiches come with grilled pork, shaking beef, or your choice of spicy lemongrass-ladened tofu, chicken, or beef. Finish your meal with the ultimate cool down — a coffee smoothie or the decadent banana split.

Roostar

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With recipes adapted from her grandmother’s sandwich shop in Vietnam, Linda Nguyen and her husband Ronnie have created a legacy of their own in Houston with Roostar’s banh mi. Here, baguette loaves are chock-full of mouthwatering fillings, ranging from chopped rib-eye to fried pollock, and the “special” combination of juicy sous vide pork belly, ham, and savory pate. Make it meatless with Impossible protein, crispy tofu, or avocado. If you’re looking to lessen the endearing crunch, skip the bread altogether, and opt for a bowl or lettuce wrap.

Pho Saigon

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With 10 locations around the city, this Vietnamese noodle house charbroils chicken, pork, beef, and more, offering proteins up in a variety of pho, vermicelli and steamed rice bowls, and stacked banh mi sandwiches. Take your pick from the array of coffee, teas, and fresh juices and sodas to sweeten the deal.

Cali Sandwich & Pho

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This Midtown staple is consistently busy during lunch hours when guests crowd in to take advantage of the fast service, good value, and variety of Vietnamese dishes. Find flavorful beef, grilled chicken, barbecue pork, and meatball banh mi, built on bread that offers a nice crust on the outside and a fluffy butteriness on the inside. Dining on a budget? Many options are under $5.

Thien An Sandwiches

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Handheld sandwiches are certainly the main event at Thien An, where banh mi can be filled with your choice of protein, including fried eggs, fried tofu, lemongrass marinated meats, and Vietnamese cold cuts, like pork ear and ham. If you prefer your sandwich deconstructed, the Banh Mi Bo Luc Lac hot ga presents shaking beef atop a bed of lettuce with a fried egg with a side of French bread.

Oui Banh Mi

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With 15 options to fill your banh mi, including meatballs, beef, shredded or chargrilled chicken, and pork that’s roasted, barbecued, or steamed, this Montrose eatery is bound to have something that you’ll say yes to. What’s more — the shop is equipped with a drive-thru window, allowing guests to score spring rolls, Vietnamese ice coffee, rice bowls, and hefty slices of pink velvet cake in a jiffy.

Khang Vietnamese Sandwich Cafe

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As its name implies, its all about the sandwich at Khang. There are 17 different banh mi options to choose from, including the Khang Special that combines cold cuts, shredded chicken, slathered with a rich pate. Wash it down with an artichoke jelly drink. Looking for a feast for the family? Khang offers a buy five, get one free special.

Thiem Hung Bakery

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While there are a few tables at this small, family owned shop, it has in recent years, pivoted to mainly to go orders. Pick up a banh mi, some Vietnamese desserts, or the signature banh bao (steamed buns filled with savory pork, Chinese sausage, and hard-boiled eggs). The menu is straight to the point, with three banh mi options: a combination special, meatball, and grilled lemongrass pork.

Pho Bình By Night

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Open late, this Vietnamese mainstay has multiple locations around town. The sandwiches are served with your choice of fried eggs, grilled pork, shredded chicken, tilapia, or a combination of cold cuts. To pate, or not to pate, is your choice.

Nguyễn Ngọ

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Make your own sandwich combination, choosing from up to four proteins and between French bread or a croissant, at this family-owned, Asiatown hole-in-the-wall. Opt for the shredded chicken, made from a special, time-honored recipe brought from Vietnam. The mayonnaise is so good you can buy a container to take home.

Don Cafe

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Generations of Houstonians have been going to Don Cafe, a beloved restaurant located on Bellaire Boulevard, serving rice plates, noodle soups, and banh mi. The go-to order is the special combination, that includes an assortment of cold cuts and Vietnamese headcheese. Leave your credit cards at home, it is still cash only.

Vietwich

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Owner Viet Tran started Vietwich in a Valero gas station, eventually opening a more permanent location in Stafford. The banh mi here are packed with veggies, and house-made pate and mayo. You can’t go wrong with any of the classics, but the Enoki tofu sandwich will convert the most hardcore meat lovers. Fried tofu is glazed with a vegetarian-oyster sauce, and stuffed into a crusty baguette, alongside buttery enoki mushrooms. Pro-tip: Add fried shallots to everything.

Paris Bánh Mì

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The foot-long baguettes are made fresh daily, and stuffed with thick cut pickled veggies here. Choose from the combination special, which includes grilled pork or shredded chicken. Paris also offers four different sandwiches that incorporate a toasted croissant as a substitute for French bread.

Ba Mien Bistro

Sandwiches are a sure-fire specialty at this no-frills Vietnamese bistro. But if the quality banh mi — made with your choice of grilled pork, beef, or chicken — isn’t quite enough, add and order of chili-basil wings, tofu spring rolls, or a bowl of pho to your meal.

Saigon Hustle

The success of this Garden Oaks Vietnamese drive-thru proves healthier options on the go are not only possible, but in demand. This colorful fast-casual joint offers banh mi sandwiches with proteins like chargrilled barbecue pork, honey soy barbecued chicken, and honey-glazed lemongrass tofu. Go whole hog, and add on pate or a sunny side up egg.

Moon Rabbit

Since opening last year, Moon Rabbit has made its mark in the Heights, offering an elevated take on Vietnamese food that is still authentic and familiar. Banh mi options include grilled pork and chicken, but the stand out is the bo kho dip — a sandwich of tender braised beef shank, served with a side of the stew it was cooked in for dipping. The bread is crunchy and flaky, and the stew is fragrant with lemongrass, anise, and cinnamon.

Bao Bao Banh Mi

Since 2016, Bao Bao has gotten creative with its banh mi, marinating its meats and proteins in sauces like lemongrass soy sauce, Hawaiian pineapple glaze, and Korean gochujang. Try the pork, pate, and grilled chicken-loaded “special,” or the bulgogi rib-eye beef banh mi — both of which are topped with jalapeno, pickled carrots, cucumbers, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic aioli. Vegetarian? Opt for alternatives made with avocado or caramelized tofu.

Old Saigon Cafe

Aside from heartwarming pho, Old Saigon’s Vietnamese cuisine is worth bragging about to your friends. Served with a side of truffle fries, banh mi sandwiches come with grilled pork, shaking beef, or your choice of spicy lemongrass-ladened tofu, chicken, or beef. Finish your meal with the ultimate cool down — a coffee smoothie or the decadent banana split.

Roostar

With recipes adapted from her grandmother’s sandwich shop in Vietnam, Linda Nguyen and her husband Ronnie have created a legacy of their own in Houston with Roostar’s banh mi. Here, baguette loaves are chock-full of mouthwatering fillings, ranging from chopped rib-eye to fried pollock, and the “special” combination of juicy sous vide pork belly, ham, and savory pate. Make it meatless with Impossible protein, crispy tofu, or avocado. If you’re looking to lessen the endearing crunch, skip the bread altogether, and opt for a bowl or lettuce wrap.

Pho Saigon

With 10 locations around the city, this Vietnamese noodle house charbroils chicken, pork, beef, and more, offering proteins up in a variety of pho, vermicelli and steamed rice bowls, and stacked banh mi sandwiches. Take your pick from the array of coffee, teas, and fresh juices and sodas to sweeten the deal.

Cali Sandwich & Pho

This Midtown staple is consistently busy during lunch hours when guests crowd in to take advantage of the fast service, good value, and variety of Vietnamese dishes. Find flavorful beef, grilled chicken, barbecue pork, and meatball banh mi, built on bread that offers a nice crust on the outside and a fluffy butteriness on the inside. Dining on a budget? Many options are under $5.

Thien An Sandwiches

Handheld sandwiches are certainly the main event at Thien An, where banh mi can be filled with your choice of protein, including fried eggs, fried tofu, lemongrass marinated meats, and Vietnamese cold cuts, like pork ear and ham. If you prefer your sandwich deconstructed, the Banh Mi Bo Luc Lac hot ga presents shaking beef atop a bed of lettuce with a fried egg with a side of French bread.

Oui Banh Mi

With 15 options to fill your banh mi, including meatballs, beef, shredded or chargrilled chicken, and pork that’s roasted, barbecued, or steamed, this Montrose eatery is bound to have something that you’ll say yes to. What’s more — the shop is equipped with a drive-thru window, allowing guests to score spring rolls, Vietnamese ice coffee, rice bowls, and hefty slices of pink velvet cake in a jiffy.

Khang Vietnamese Sandwich Cafe

As its name implies, its all about the sandwich at Khang. There are 17 different banh mi options to choose from, including the Khang Special that combines cold cuts, shredded chicken, slathered with a rich pate. Wash it down with an artichoke jelly drink. Looking for a feast for the family? Khang offers a buy five, get one free special.

Thiem Hung Bakery

While there are a few tables at this small, family owned shop, it has in recent years, pivoted to mainly to go orders. Pick up a banh mi, some Vietnamese desserts, or the signature banh bao (steamed buns filled with savory pork, Chinese sausage, and hard-boiled eggs). The menu is straight to the point, with three banh mi options: a combination special, meatball, and grilled lemongrass pork.

Pho Bình By Night

Open late, this Vietnamese mainstay has multiple locations around town. The sandwiches are served with your choice of fried eggs, grilled pork, shredded chicken, tilapia, or a combination of cold cuts. To pate, or not to pate, is your choice.

Nguyễn Ngọ

Make your own sandwich combination, choosing from up to four proteins and between French bread or a croissant, at this family-owned, Asiatown hole-in-the-wall. Opt for the shredded chicken, made from a special, time-honored recipe brought from Vietnam. The mayonnaise is so good you can buy a container to take home.

Don Cafe

Generations of Houstonians have been going to Don Cafe, a beloved restaurant located on Bellaire Boulevard, serving rice plates, noodle soups, and banh mi. The go-to order is the special combination, that includes an assortment of cold cuts and Vietnamese headcheese. Leave your credit cards at home, it is still cash only.

Related Maps

Vietwich

Owner Viet Tran started Vietwich in a Valero gas station, eventually opening a more permanent location in Stafford. The banh mi here are packed with veggies, and house-made pate and mayo. You can’t go wrong with any of the classics, but the Enoki tofu sandwich will convert the most hardcore meat lovers. Fried tofu is glazed with a vegetarian-oyster sauce, and stuffed into a crusty baguette, alongside buttery enoki mushrooms. Pro-tip: Add fried shallots to everything.

Paris Bánh Mì

The foot-long baguettes are made fresh daily, and stuffed with thick cut pickled veggies here. Choose from the combination special, which includes grilled pork or shredded chicken. Paris also offers four different sandwiches that incorporate a toasted croissant as a substitute for French bread.

Related Maps