Huong Lan Sandwiches — Restaurant in San Jose

I was introduced to Huong Lan Sandwich a couple of years ago by a fried who described it as the best place to get Banh Mi in entire San Jose. Well the short review would be that he was right then and continues to be now.

If you are interested in the longer version - Huong Lan Sandwich is like a Banh Mi chain with about 6 locations in the bay area all concentrated in the south. This location seems to be the mother ship but I may be wrong on that. Here apart from Banh Mi you also have a BBQ meat station and hot food steam table to your left. Once I got the BBQ duck over rice. Unfortunately, this was not good. The duck had hardly any meat. Having lived to Chinatown in downtown San Francisco, I’m used to getting juicy thick pieces of duck meat which was not the case here.

I stick to getting the Banh Mi and generally get the BBQ chicken, shredded chicken or sardines Banh Mi. Goes without saying that these sandwiches are as close to perfect as you can get. They have a decent amount of filling and vegetables are fresh. The best part is that the bread has the perfect crunch (unlike Lee’s where the bread is a little too crunchy). The old women behind the ordering station speak basic English so there are no issues with ordering. They also have a numbering system for your order with the number being clearly displayed on the monitor so no issues in service. The Banh Mi are neatly packaged and once in a while you will get them in a nice brown paper bag. I remember price used to be $2.50 a couple of years ago, but this has increased to $4 now. Still it is one of the cheapest Banh Mi that you can get in the area. The only drawback is that it is a little far from where I live hence I don’t come...

Huong Lan Sandwiches is a hidden gem that continues to deliver on authentic Vietnamese flavor with every visit. I’ve been coming here for over 18 years, and it’s one of those rare places that hasn’t lost its charm—or its taste.

Every time I’m in the neighborhood, it’s a must that I stop in for their blended Mocha pearl drink. It’s the perfect balance of rich, sweet, and a appreciate amount of pure taste of coffee —hands down one of my favorite treats in the area.

The shop itself is always bustling, and it’s easy to see why. Their Bánh mì selection is extensive and flavorful, packed with fresh ingredients and bold seasonings. Whether you’re craving classic grilled pork or something more adventurous, there’s something for everyone.

I also love how convenient they make it to grab something on the go. Their ready-to-go platters and prepared items are perfect for a quick lunch or even catering a casual get-together.

If you’re ever nearby and craving something fast, fresh, and full of flavor, Huong Lan Sandwiches is a spot that never disappoints. A true staple in the community that continues to uphold its quality and...

6/7/2025 update: Huong Lan moved some stuff around. The egg rolls $1.37 and pate chauds $2.29 are now self serve. The tongs are on the left shelf next to the new hot food display case. I love how the lines are shorter than the other popular Vietnamese sandwich restaurant. I had the #1 thit nguoi (cold cuts) $6.86 and #13 trung (fried egg) $5.94. Too bad they no longer have my favorite, #17 Chinese sausage (lap cheong) & egg. #17 is now spicy Korean chicken. Moreover, they had the dining room bigger. Service was excellent.

Original review: Huong Lan offers a lot more than just Vietnamese sandwiches. As far as I know, they are the only place that makes a bbq pork, egg and lap cheong (Chinese preserved sausage) banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich). I only noticed it after ordering my usual #1 ham and pate banh mi $6. I also got their banh cuon (steamed rice noodle) cha lua (Vietnamese ham) $10. Huong Lan also have a BBQ meats section, bakery, drink station and hot food area. This is my spot for a great banh mi. It is always delicious. No line at 3:15pm on a Sunday! Love...