Canadian YouTubers Chris and Steph explored nine different banh mi stalls in Ho Chi Minh City in a single day. Each sandwich brought a new surprise, but the humble one made by an elderly woman won their hearts.
Chris enjoying the offal-stuffed banh mi for the first time. Photo: Hungry Two Travel
Chris and Steph, a traveling couple from Canada, are currently on a global culinary journey.
Their YouTube channel, with over 255,000 subscribers, features unique food experiences from around the world.
Recently, the couple shared several videos highlighting local specialties in Ho Chi Minh City, including dishes like sizzling beef, broken rice, and beef noodle soup.
One entire day was dedicated to a “banh mi tour,” visiting nine different shops with prices ranging from $0.60 to $3 per sandwich.
The cheapest banh mi of the tour
Their first stop was a simple banh mi cart run by an elderly woman on Mac Dinh Chi Street, known locally as “Granny’s banh mi.”
This classic sandwich came with pate, butter, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, fresh herbs, soy sauce, and two hot fried eggs.
Chris noted how the small sidewalk cart was buzzing with customers.
The sandwich was served hot and smelled delicious.
He praised the rich flavor from the eggs and pate paired with the crispy baguette.
Despite costing only $0.60, the portion was generous enough to start their day full and satisfied.
Unique fillings they had never tried before
Throughout the day, the duo sampled a variety of banh mi styles: skillet-served sandwiches, grilled pork, Turkish-style roasted meat, stewed offal, and even a version that resembled a fried chicken burger.
One of the most surprising bites was the offal-stuffed banh mi, packed with braised pork organs like intestines, heart, ears, and snout.
The vendor ladled thick, aromatic coconut-spiced broth into the sandwich.
“This was unlike anything I’ve ever eaten,” Chris said, introducing it as a specialty in Ho Chi Minh City.
“The sauce is rich and flavorful. The pork organs have no unpleasant smell. It cost only $1,” he added.
Banana leaf-grilled pork meatball banh mi
Another standout was the banh mi at Banh Mi 37 on Nguyen Trai Street, a small food cart once featured in Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
The sandwich is made fresh to order with grilled pork meatballs skewered and cooked over hot coals, then tucked into crusty bread.
The meatballs are made from seasoned minced pork and marinated in a special sauce.
The sandwich is topped with pickled vegetables, a savory-sweet brown sauce, and chili fish sauce, creating a powerful flavor profile.
Steph was instantly drawn to the sizzling skewers.
“The meat is juicy, tender, and pleasantly sweet. The herbs and cucumbers keep it fresh. And that brown sauce really brings the flavors together,” she commented.
Each meatball sandwich was priced at $1.20.
The ‘giant’ banh mi
The last stop was Huynh Hoa Bakery on Pham Ngu Lao Street, one of the most famous banh mi spots in Ho Chi Minh City, often mentioned in international travel guides.
Despite controversies around its pricing and brand disputes, the shop continues to draw long lines of hungry customers.
Chris and Steph were particularly excited to try the massive sandwich this bakery is known for.
When they arrived, dozens of customers were already in line.
The sandwich is toasted before being stuffed with an impressive array of 13 different fillings, including pate, pork floss, pork cold cuts, ham, and char siu.
“This sandwich is a feast,” they exclaimed, noting how packed it was.
The first bite delivered the creamy pate they had heard so much about.
Other ingredients complemented each other seamlessly.
They noted the signature pink-hued, glistening pate as a highlight.
“This is the largest banh mi we’ve ever seen - it's like three to four regular sandwiches in one,” they said, revealing they paid $2.90 for it.
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The couple also tried a “giant” banh mi packed with fillings from the popular Banh Mi Ba Huynh. Photo: Hungry Two Travel
An unforgettable day of flavors
In just one day, Chris and Steph managed to sample nine banh mi spots across the city.
Their favorite? Granny’s egg banh mi - simple, cheap, and incredibly flavorful.
Their runner-up was the legendary banh mi from Huynh Hoa Bakery.
“We hope our banh mi journey shows people the creativity and diversity of Vietnamese cuisine,” the couple shared.
Vietnamnet.vn
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