Cóm Bánh Mì — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

I'm on a mission to I'm travel around Hong Kong in search for the best Bánh mì. Why you ask? Due to my exam-filled schedule, it's the best I can do for now (just you wait Việt Nam, im coming for you soon). I've been wanting to come to this place for quite a while, I make it a habit that after I've heard of a particular place at least three times, I'll have to go to it. I finally came here with a colleague, and knew immediately what I was going to get. Phố. Just kidding, of course I got the Bánh mì (it's in the name!). I opted for a meal so in total it costed $80 dollars, I got the Lemongrass porkchop bánh mì, the garlic buttered wings and the lemon drink. Separately, the bahn mi costs ($60), wings cost ($40) and lemon drink ($25),so naturally I opted for the set option.

The bánh mì came at around 15 minutes, I first judge a bahn mi by the baguette, it's quintessential for myself to have a flaky exterior, yet a fluffy interior. Lo and behold the warm bread had fit both of those criteria, I was happy, it was off to a very good start. The bánh mì had a generous serving of pork chop which was succulent which was nice, the essential ingredients of the bahn mi were present, shredded pickled daikon and carrots, coriander and a slice of cucumber. A few slices of pork was laid out as I could see visually but this was overpower by the pork chop and lemongrass. What I found interesting was that I couldn't taste any pâté, but the roof of my mouth was being coated by mayo.

Now I don't proclaim myself to be a bánh mì connoisseur, but I didn't find this revolting, instead I thought to myself, was this reason why bánh mì had pate/mayo added to it? Not only to add a layer of depth but so it would protect the roof of your mouth from being scratched and mauled by the sharp crusts of the baguette, and being paired with the pickled daikon/carrot mix would cut through this richness (perhaps 'm over thinking this, but if this was intended purpose, then my word, the Vietnamese have really thought this through). It was a delicious sandwich all in all, it was fragrant and flavourful and it really hit the spot.

I had forgotten about the garlic butter chicken wings, at first glanced they looked quite oily, but when I bit into it the crunch was awe-inspiring. I didn't expect such a crispy delight, it was amazing, the butter and garlic were not too strong but gave more fragrance than taste, the chicken was well seasoned. One of the very best chicken wings I've had in a very long time. The lemon drink washed everything down well (though a bit too sweet for my taste).

Now I usually judge place by a variety of factors, taste plays the biggest factor, but I also take into account, service, price, atmosphere etc. Now while this bánh mì alone is $60 dollars, it's not the best bánh mì I've had in Hong Kong, but it is good. While it might seem expensive, it is not relative to other bánh mì establishments that I've been to that have upped their game and as a result, price (I've been to cheaper bánh mì places with lower quality) . I'll be honest the best bánh mì I've had in HK was ($80+). So it is all relative, this was not as good as that but it came close and was more affordable, I will not pay $40 for 2 chicken wings alone, but as a meal I would be happy about having it included. So why 4 stars? As a set it deserves 4 stars, taking into account everything else, I would definitely come here again.

Something thing you have to remember about living in Hong Kong is that sometimes there is a price you pay for authenticity, most of the time it can get really pricey, and if you're lucky you can find it at affordable prices, remember this when you...

A casual vietnamese spot to grab affordable meals! In the past month, I visited thrice, so below are my thoughts on the restaurant and dishes I ordered.

The staff were very welcoming and lovely, especially the sweet auntie! On every occasion I’ve visited, she always greeted me with a nice smile :)

Ordering is done through an online QR code website, so digital payment is super seamless.

The decoration of the restaurant is quite lively and well-kept! There’s enough space for a small group. Solo dining is also perfect here since they have bar stools.

Here are my thoughts on the food, but I can’t comment on the authenticity since I have never been to Vietnam:

Chicken Banh Mi 🍗 $65 The banh mi bun was so crispy and still warm as it arrived to the table. The airiness of the bun made biting the vegetables and filling easy, so I was able to get full bites of everything. The flavours were really fresh - tasted healthy. So of course I had to pour sriracha on top, which had a great kick and sweetness. However, the chicken was slightly dry, so I would prefer the duck banh mi over chicken, or maybe even try the pork banh mi next time.

Charcoal Duck Banh Mi 🔥 $75 The mayo and liver pate paired well with the flavour of the duck meat to deliver an umami-packed mouthful. I prefer the duck meat over chicken. The charcoal bun was also very crispy and light.

Lemongrass Roasted Pork Cold Vermicelli 🍖 $65 The vermicelli noodles were super springy and bouncy. Only wished there was more pork.

Overall, as someone who has never been to Vietnam, the food is good and satisfying, especially at such an affordable price point. The vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant is great, and the staff working there are both quick and...

Had the chance to visit this Vietnamese resto which I had bookmarked for a while for the welcome lunch. . I got Hol An Sliced Beef Noodle Soup. The beef was tender and well-marinated, and the clear broth had a sweet taste which complemented the flavour of the beef nicely.

One of my colleagues ordered Lemongrass Pork Chop Banh Ml. She found the bread to be soft and chewy. The sandwich was packed with various of ingredients, including pork chop, shredded carrots and radishes, cucumbers, etc.

Another colleague chose the Combo Set, which included Viet Sausages Noodle Soup and Rice Paper Rolls. I tried the Rice Paper Roll, which was substantial and refreshing to have. . The walls of the restaurant were adorned with Vietnamese-themed drawings, and the wooden tables and seats created an authentic Vietnamese stall atmosphere. . It seemed like the waiters wanted us to leave quickly as they kept...