Sandwich Saigon - Vietnamese Banh Mi in the East of Singapore

When it comes to finding the perfect bahn mi sandwich, many people often overlook the small, unassuming food stalls. However, I recently realised that the most authentic, no frills bahn mi comes from a hole-in-the-wall kind of stall. You may have already heard of the raving Bahn Mi stall hidden in Ang Mo Kio but we also stumbled upon Sandwich Saigon which also deserves the same kind of attention.

For those that are new to this Vietnamese delicacy, bánh mì is a type of sandwich that originated in Vietnam, typically made with a combination of meats (such as pork, chicken, or tofu), pickled vegetables, and herbs, served on a French baguette.

Sandwich Saigon is an express bahn mi food stall that completely blew my mind. Despite its no-frills shop front, especially next to the rows and rows of cafe along East Coast Road, this small shop has dedicated all of its time and effort to perfecting the art of the bahn mi sandwich. At first glance, I was rather hesitant to step in as it looked like a poorly furnished stall, but then it hit me later that it looked like it came straight out of the old streets of Vietnam!

The first thing that struck me about this food stall was the long wait time. I soon discovered that this was due to the large number of online orders they were receiving. This was a good sign, as it showed that they were doing something right. And I was not disappointed.

As soon as we collected our Saigon Special ($9), I could see the care and attention that had gone into making it. The bread was crispy and fresh which was not a surprise, given that they are freshly baked everyday. The filling was generous and perfectly seasoned where combination of flavors and textures was absolutely divine. The meats were tender, the vegetables were crisp and the sauce was tangy.

But what sets this bahn mi apart from others is the balance of flavors. It was not too salty, not too sweet and not too spicy. It was just right. It was the kind of sandwich that you could eat every day and never get tired of. Between you and I, I even ordered an extra serving for lunch the next day and it tastes just as good after a few minutes in the oven!

The prices were also very reasonable, given that it is enough for one meal, making it a great value for the quality of food you receive. Even if you are not a fan of bahn mi, there are other signature Vietnamese food as such their rice sets, bun and spring roll which I would love to try another day. It may not have the fancy decor of a gourmet restaurant, but it more than makes up for it with its delicious food. So, next time you’re in the mood for a bahn mi sandwich, give this place a try. You won’t be disappointed.