Bun Mee — Restaurant in San Francisco

"Do you want to try Bun Mee?"

"Don't you mean banh mi, the Vietnamese sandwich?"

"No, Bun Mee."

If you've ever found yourself craving a hipster Vietnamese sandwich, look no further than Bun Mee. Not only is it spelled wrong on purpose, but your friends will think you're being funny when you text them about it.

Since not a lot of places are open for dinner around the Financial District, we decided to give this place a try. I haven't been able to find much Vietnamese food (other than Freshroll) around the city, so this was a pleasant surprise. If you are looking for ordinary pork banh mi here, however, this is not your place.

Though they do have the classics like lemongrass tofu and chicken, Bun Mee also has other sandwiches including a Smokey Eggplant banh mi and a Crispy Catfish banh mi. Bun Mee also offers salads and some tasty sides like Salt n Pepper Garlic Fries and Pork and Shrimp rolls.

As someone who absolutely loves eggplant, I could not say no to the Smokey Eggplant (and doesn't it sound irresistible too?!). I also ordered the Strawberry Lychee agua fresca, since it sounded pretty unique.

I wouldn't say the agua fresca was ordinary, but it didn't blow me away. The flavor ratio was about 90 percent strawberry and 10 percent lychee. On the other hand, the smokey eggplant banh mi was quite good. The eggplant was cooked enough that it was soft and indeed smokey. The veggies were fresh and the baguette was crispy and easy to bite into.

I've always loved banh mi, and I think I've found a great place for "mee" to satisfy...

Food was kinda okay. Egg roll filling was not bad but not complex. The fried paper wasn't crispy. Unsatisfactory bite. The price initially seemed good, two for $7, then when I got it it was underwhelming. Two for $4 maybe.

Got the classic combo and when you pick up half the sandwich everything looks good. Meat, pate,, fatty butter, pickled carrots. Basil is a nice touch that other locals don't do but I hear it's what ppl in Vietnam do. The pate was a little bit salty for me and the meat was just an okay amount of flavor and taste. Overpriced.

The menu seemed diverse which I felt like I wanted to come back to try more items. But the lack of flavors is pushing me out the door.

Decor and atmosphere is reminiscent of the meme pictures of expensive burger place starter pack. The hot sauce pictures and tin cans of coffee used for holding items are the closest thing to seeing a personal touch of decor, of identity. Pretty bland.

Service i noticed is good. They do check on ppl and help with guessing...

While critics of Bun Mee may poopoo the higher prices (usually 2x that of vietnamese restaurants in the Richmond or Little Vietnam); the food is all quality. I usually pride myself on the authentic divey places; but I can't help liking this place. The bowls are large and quite tasty.

Bun Mee's are French Vietnamese style sandwiches served with a crispy on the outside, soft on the inside french roll. My fave: HANOI-STYLE CRISPY CATFISH BUN, $6.50, a roll stuffed with crispy fried turmeric catfish, red curry mayo, shaved onion, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, jalapenos, and cilantro. These are not your traditional bun mee's. they have yummy sweet potato fries too! If you are willing to travel a bit further - check out Cafe Bun Mi in the Richmond. You get similar Fusion style bun mi, but at...