Bánh Mì Phượng — Restaurant in Hội An

A friend recommended it to me, so I went. It was the day I was leaving Hoi An. Having experienced rude service at the Highland next door, I didn't have high expectations. The Bahn Mi restaurants in Hoi An are expensive because they're not franchises. Being a tourist destination, they charge a standard 30k. I've tried the 20k on the street, but they lacked the quality. Since it was the last place I'd chosen, and the place I'd already chosen, I had high expectations. It was crowded while I was choosing the menu. They were busy and rushed me. If you hesitate, you won't get your food. There was no time to choose. At rush hour, someone should be directing traffic, but no one did. Golden Bakery in Vung Tau directs traffic even if you wait in line. This is a sit-down restaurant. My first impression wasn't great. I ordered my usual egg banh mi and the meat and cheese banh mi. The people preparing the banh mi next to me were also busy. There was a small sign saying "waiting", so I stood and waited. It came out quickly. I looked for a seat in the restaurant for a while, but it was too crowded. I went to Highland, where I had already secured a seat. I only had the egg banh mi. I decided to have the other one at the airport. It was average. Ahn Quan Bakery's is even better and costs 15,000 VND. Eating this for 25,000 VND is a luxury. I don't need to try the 35,000 VND meat banh mi to understand. I ate it while sitting at the airport, cold. The flavors were harmonious. However, it lacked the rich, juicy meat of the meat banh mi and was overly salty. It was clean, but ordinary. The taste of bah mi varies greatly depending on how the chef combines the ingredients. This one, which I hastened to add while laughing and chatting, is just average and a bit pricey. It tastes just like the 20,000 VND banh mi I had in Hanoi. It's located at the entrance to a tourist attraction, so I can only assume it's because of the seating charge. Despite the hype, it was ordinary for me. I missed Ahn Quan Bakery's 15,000 VND egg banh mi. I think some people will appreciate the taste and bustle of this place. That price isn't too bad considering the rising cost of living in Vietnam. Most dishes in Vietnam these days cost around 50,000-60,000 VND. The best menu item was average for me, but for most people, it's not bad because it has a rich flavor. Of all the restaurants I've eaten at in Hoi An, this one seems the best. There's no other restaurant in Hoi An that serves truly excellent bahn mi, with great value, accessibility, and service. This is a bustling tourist area. They're probably eager to sell more when the night draws in. That's when a truly great restaurant stands out. For that, it requires systematic approach and extensive service training. There are many such restaurants in Korea. Myeongdong Kyoja in Myeongdong, Seoul, is a prime example. Even though it's busy and crowded all day, it's a place where you feel...

The perfect pork banh mi for 35,000 VND — ordered the recommended #3 mixed bread with pork and pâté—truly shines here. The bread is super crispy, with just the right amount of filling, so I can still appreciate its fragrance and flavor.

Do note for this price, this banh mi is realtively smaller than the usual sold elsewhere for 70,000+ VND.

One can order another banh mi of a different flavour or a separate dish to have a hearty meal - did see other tables doing the above.

I ordered a chicken and cheese banh mi as a takeway!

An iced strawberry drink for just 40,000 VND is a real treat. Made with fresh strawberries, you can truly taste the fruit’s natural sweetness and texture. Refreshing and authentic, it’s the perfect thirst-quencher on a warm day.

Seating is comfortable, with tables, chairs, and rotating fans ensuring a pleasant experience. The brown décor and wooden furniture evoke a sense of nostalgia, making one feel like I'm dining in the past.

Photos of Anthony Bourdain are proudly displayed on both the walls and the menu, highlighting the shop’s connection to the famed chef. Can taste and figure why Anthony chose this place: the banh mi is of a great standard, rich in flavor yet perfectly balanced.

This spot is definitely worth a visit when you’re in Hội An!

Relatively easy to find table before usual lunch time. Grab a table, order via the service staff, immediately pay him cash (no card payment) and he will swiftly return with a receipt and change in...

Bánh Mì Phượng in Hội An is one of the most talked-about food spots in Vietnam, often labeled as “the best bánh mì in the world” by countless travel blogs, YouTubers, and even celebrity chefs. Naturally, my expectations were high when I decided to give it a try during my recent visit. However, I walked away feeling rather underwhelmed.

I ordered the vegetarian (chay) bánh mì, hoping for a flavorful and creative combination of local ingredients. Unfortunately, what I received was simply bread with slices of avocado — nothing more. There was no seasoning, no herbs, no pickled vegetables, no tofu or mushrooms, not even soy sauce or chili. Just plain avocado inside a baguette. While the bread itself was fresh and crispy, the filling was disappointing and lacked depth, texture, and flavor.

Given the international reputation of this shop, I expected a more thoughtfully prepared sandwich, even for a vegetarian option. Instead, it felt like an afterthought on the menu. Perhaps the meat-based versions are better, but for vegetarians, this was definitely not worth the hype.

The shop is busy, crowded, and rushed, and although the service was polite, it felt very transactional — more focused on moving the long line than providing a quality food experience.

Overall, I’d rate Bánh Mì Phượng 3 stars. It’s decent, but far from extraordinary. If you’re vegetarian or expecting something mind-blowing, this might not live up to the reputation it’s...