Update 2:
With a recommendation for tasty Banh Mi on the Westside of all places, it was time to journey once again.
Banh Mi Venice
Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp:
It sounded delicious enough with Rice Noodles, Lettuce, Mint, and a Hoisin Almond Butter Dipping Sauce. They were freshly made-to-order (which is great). The outer rice paper wrapping wasn’t overly thick. The Shrimp (only 1.5 Shrimp per roll (it’s 3 “halves” of Shrimp) tasted a little muddy / dirty (as if they weren’t cleaned properly). The Almond Butter Dipping Sauce was really overly sweet and gloppy.
Go Fish Banh Mi (Ling Cod Braised with Tumeric, Dill/Yogurt, Spring Onion, Garlic, Bean Sprouts, Lemon Juice):
The first bite yielded a surprisingly super crunchy texture. Banh Mi Venice doesn’t make their own bread (they get it from a local baker), so I was expecting a soggy / soft / dismal Banh Mi Baguette, like the stuff we’ve experienced in too many shops that don’t make their own Bread, but thankfully it wasn’t like that at all.
The Ling Cod was delicious, with a good Tumeric infusion, but only a subtle Dill herbal note (I like Dill, so I was hoping for more ;)). But it was cooked spot on. Since there is no similar fish offering in traditional Banh Mi around the SGV and Little Saigon (not counting the Canned Sardines LOL), the only comparisons are with other “Gourmet Banh Mi” offerings from the non-traditional restaurants.
While it was lacking in Pickled Veggies (disappointing), the Ling Cod marinade, flavors and the crunchiness of the bread made it easily the best Fish Banh Mi we’ve tried in L.A. It’s better than Little Sister, better than Viet Noodle Bar, better than Chaumont’s version.
Huge thanks to @MaladyNelson @CiaoBob @ipsedixit for the rec.
Wake Mi Banh Mi (2 Organic Eggs, Fried, Housemade Chili Mayo, Topped with Veggies & Herbs):
The Wake Mi was the one I was really looking forward to. First off, it must be said, the 2 Organic Eggs were perfectly cooked and the yolks were soft and runny. The Cilantro was fresh. And it was tasty.
But it lacked the extra “it factor” to make it as crave-worthy and delicious as our favorite from Saigon Bakery.
Thinking about it some more, first off, it was the Bread. The Bread while super crunchy was too dry and crunchy. It lacked flavor (this is very subtle, it’s far better than all of the Gourmet Banh Mi breads we’ve tried actually, except Gjusta).
This was also the type of bread that after eating 1 Banh Mi started to cut your mouth. It’s the type @paranoidgarliclover @theoffalo were trying to avoid (and that we avoid also). Much better than soft / limp / stale Banh Mi Bread, but it’s too dry / crunchy / crusty / sharp.
The Pickled Veggies in this Banh Mi (it was missing in the Go Fish), weren’t very flavorful (they really didn’t taste pickled). And the Eggs were underseasoned.
Note, this is only in comparison to what I consider my favorite Banh Mi in L.A. It’s a very good Banh Mi on its own.
Overall, the prices range from $8.50 - $13 + Tax/Tip for Banh Mi Venice’s sandwiches. Definitely more expensive than the traditional places, but it’s a nicer area, more convenient for many, etc.
Banh Mi Venice
307 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
Tel: (310) 429-1959
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (Revisit)
So, to make sure and better compare our feelings yesterday, we drove out to the San Gabriel Valley this morning to do a back-to-back taste test.
Banh Mi Trung (Egg Banh Mi):
Taking the first bite, the difference is immediately clear: The fresh-baked Bread (in-house) at Saigon Bakery is more flavorful. It has a crunch, but it’s not too crunchy. There’s a pillowy, slight chew on the inside which also makes it more pleasurable to eat. The hue is beautiful.
And then we get into the inside: The Eggs (I asked for mine to be less cooked / softer) were well-seasoned and the yolks were liquid oozing goodness! But then the Pickled Veggies had so much more flavor than Banh Mi Venice. You look at their back kitchen and the staff look like they’ve been (specializing) and doing the same thing for decades.
The Pickled Veggies have more acidity, more sweetness, more flavor. And it was just the right amount of Jalapenos (at Banh Mi Venice, it was overwhelming).
If we don’t feel like driving, Banh Mi Venice can scratch that itch, and they put out surprisingly solid Banh Mi. Their Go Fish is the best tasting “gourmet” Fish Filet-style Banh Mi around.
But whatever magic Saigon Bakery cast upon these sandwiches, it works. At $3.75, they are not only cheaper (by a lot), they just taste like the most amazing Banh Mi I’ve ever had. And it was worth the drive all the way to the SGV for these, LOL.
(Cash Only)
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (2nd branch)
718 E. Valley Blvd.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Tel: (626) 288-6475
Saigon Bakery & Sandwiches (Original)
8118 E. Garvey Ave., Suite I
Rosemead, CA 91770
Tel: (626) 288-2132