Originallyfrom Vietnam, banh mi is a sandwich that is very popular around the world, including in Paris. It consists of a crispy baguette (the word 'banh mi' literally means 'wheat bread' in Vietnamese) filled with a combination of meats, usually pork, chicken, or beef; vegetables and fresh herbs, very often grated carrots marinated in vinegar, cucumber and lots of cilantro; mayonnaise and chili pepper to spice it all up.
A symbol of Vietnamese culinary richness, but also of the fusion of French and Vietnamese cultures, banh mi first appeared in Vietnam during French colonization in 1860, when French baguettes began to be produced locally. The Vietnamese then began to fill them with their own ingredients, creating the banh mi we know today.
There are many different banh mi recipes, and in Paris, you can find traditional recipes in Vietnamese restaurants, such as banh mi with pâté (bánh mì pa tê), banh mi with meatballs (bánh mì xíu mại), and banh mi with grilled meat (bánh mì thịt nướng).
Here are the best places to enjoy a good banh mi in Paris!
HOA NAM, the legendary Asian catering establishment in the 13th arrondissement of Paris
Sponsored - The HOA NAM story began in 1981 with the opening of their first workshop. In 1992, they set up store on Avenue d'Ivry in the 13th arrondissement, offering the very best in Asian cuisine to take away or enjoy on the go. [Read more]
Amour du Vietnam, the Vietnamese restaurant where you can eat piping hot pho in Paris's 14th arrondissement.
We went to try Amour du Vietnam, a Vietnamese restaurant that opened its doors in Paris's 14th arrondissement just a few months ago. On the menu: crispy spring rolls, hearty bo bun, banh mi, and pho soups simmered with passion. We'll tell you all about it. [Read more]
Phin mi, the excellent coffee shop with banh mi and Vietnamese coffee
Phin mi is the name of this new Vietnamese café, hidden away on rue des Boulangers in Paris's 5th arrondissement. You'll find good coffee, sourced and roasted in-house, and delicious banh mi. We'll take you on a discovery tour. [Read more]
Armande, a charming restaurant-caterer-pâtisserie where everything is homemade in Montmartre
Meeting Armande has to be earned. You have to climb to the top of the Butte Montmartre to discover this caterer-restaurant, which also serves as a small patisserie, but it's well worth the effort. [Read more]
Hoa Cà Phê: the Vietnamese coffee shop with original vegetarian banh mi
We'll take you on a tour of Hoa Cà Phê, the friendly new Vietnamese coffee shop in the 11ᵉ arrondissement of Paris offering good Vietnamese coffee, revisited sweets and original banh mi, many of them vegetarian. [Read more]
Nonette, The Hood's banh-mi and donut counter
Nonette, the banh-mi counter signed by the team at The Hood, has just opened its doors opposite the first address. On the menu: mouth-watering banh-mi and original, regressive doughnuts! [Read more]
La Pâtisserie de Saison, a sweet and savoury Chinese pastry shop in the 13th arrondissement
La Pâtisserie de Saison is one of the oldest Chinese pastry shops in the 13th arrondissement, located on the famous Avenue d'Ivry. Here, you can indulge in original banh mi, baos, filled puff pastries and soft rolls that oscillate between tradition and new flavors. [Read more]
Find the location of all these places by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
Where can you eat good phở in Paris? Our favorite Vietnamese restaurants
Looking for a good phở in Paris? This iconic Vietnamese soup with rice noodles and fragrant broth can be enjoyed in many Vietnamese restaurants in the capital, from the 13th to the 2nd arrondissement. To help you find your way through the Parisian jungle, here are a few of our tried and tested places to slurp. [Read more]
So, what's your favourite address for a good banh mi in Paris?
Where can you eat good phở in Paris? Our favorite Vietnamese restaurants
