—PHOTOS BY JILSON SECKLER TIU
Bánh Mì Kitchen is so proud of its crunchy bread that it has given customers a warranty: Return the dish if it’s not perfect—no questions asked.
“It took us months to create the trademark crunchy bread; it’s a game-changer,” says Mon Santos, one of the founders of Bánh Mì Kitchen.
Santos and partners Rammy de Claro, Raul Gerodias, and brothers Gab and Raf Sobrepeña set up the sandwich shop that specializes in bánh mì, a Vietnamese delicacy.
Bánh mì is a popular street food in Vietnam. There’s bound to be a bánh mì cart on every street corner serving a baguette smeared with paté, and filled with pork slices, pickles, cucumber strips, carrots and cilantro.
Balanced
A filling, fresh-tasting snack, a proper báhn mì should have a crusty loaf with a soft, chewy center—similar to the French baguette. The traditional báhn mì has a balanced savory-creamy-herby flavor, and at Bánh Mì Kitchen, this would be the Classic sandwich, which comes with ham, roast pork, hoisin sauce and crisp veggies.
The Classic is a bestseller at Bánh Mì Kitchen which has opened two branches this year: the 20-seat diner at SM Megamall, and a takeout counter at Bonifacio Stopover Pavilion.
“Bánh mì is for people on the go—those who want to grab a snack while shopping, or those going to and from work,” says Raf. “It’s made fresh per order, and convenient to carry around.”
Other sandwiches on the menu are distinctly Asian, such as the Wagyu Tapa with beef tapa strips and fluffy omelette, inspired by the tapsilog.
The Korean Beef Stew sandwich has slow-cooked beef, soy sauce and sesame seeds, served with a cup of dipping sauce.
The Beef Rendang sandwich is mildly spicy, and has coconut milk, like the traditional Indonesian dish.
The Japanese-inspired Kani Bonito sandwich has crabsticks, dried seaweed flakes and mayo, while the Lemongrass Pork sandwich has a citrusy Thai flavor.
Meat lovers can have their fix with the Protein Monster sandwich, loaded with Vietnamese pork barbecue, ham, roast pork and an omelette.
The sandwiches are sold in half and whole, wrapped in newspaper-print paper; price is P99-P189. Pair these with the milky Vietnamese iced coffee and iced tea, and you have a light meal.
Thankfully, no one has returned any sandwich so far, says Gerodias. The bread is baked daily, and the group (which is also behind Shawarma Bros), intends to create a craving for Vietnamese comfort food among Filipinos.
Bánh Mì Kitchen, 4/L, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, tel. 0949-5637127; and G/F, Bonifacio Stopover, Taguig City, tel. 0912-0834723.