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Our Top 7 Picks for the Best Banh Mi in Penang (+ Why We Love Them!)

Nothing quite puts a smile on my face more than a well-put-together sandwich like banh mi, and fortunately, I don’t have to leave the country just to enjoy it! Heck, I don’t even have to leave the city, as Penang is filled with tons of authentic Vietnamese spots that offer this hearty sandwich.

With that being said, I can’t count just how many times I’ve had this dish in Penang. I’ve got to be honest though, they’re a bit of a hit or a miss—that’s why I’m here!

To help you avoid the misses, we’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants on the island that will satisfy your savoury cravings for a good piece of sandwich! So whether you’re looking to experience an amazing breakfast in Penang or a memorable dinner, keep on reading!

Viet Garden

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Address: 257, Lebuh Kimberley
Contact details: +60 19-590 7857
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $
Website

Viet Garden is an up-and-comer that’s more than welcome to stay if they continue to put out banger items from their menu. One of their biggest highlights, of course, is their amazing banh mi, which is nailed down to a tee from the rolls to the fillings and everything in between.

These rolls are packed to the brim with their signature minced beef, which does a great job of absorbing the other ingredients of the sandwich. These ingredients include diced tomatoes, lettuce, chilli and of course, cheese!

This sandwich, paired with a cold can of Coca Cola is a match made in heaven! But if that’s not enough for you, we also recommend getting a side of their spring rolls.

Pro tip:

If you’re planning on commuting, you can take the bus and drop off at the Pasar Chowrasta Bus Station. From there, you only need to walk for a couple of minutes to reach Viet  Garden.

Hometown Vietnam Taste Restaurant

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Address: 128, Lebuh Noordin
Contact details: +60 16-524 5523
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $
Website

If you ever want to get a taste of home-cooked Vietnamese classics, then Hometown Vietnam should be on your radar. They offer some of the best value-for-money meals on the island, which reigns true, whether you’re ordering their banh mi, pho, spring rolls, etc.

We want to highlight their chicken banh mi the most, as we felt like it’s the main star of their menu. We love how the chicken breast meat they used wasn’t too dry, which can be attributed to their homemade sauce.

Also, we love how they don’t shy away from packing these sandwiches with other ingredients as well such as cheese and lettuce. 

Pro tip:

Order their spring rolls if you’re looking to diversify your order. You can either get the fried or fresh variant but we recommend the latter, as it’s the healthier option—plus, seeing the ingredients through the transparent wrap is pretty cool.

Banh Mi Kitchen 越南法棍

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Address: 86, Jalan Zainul Abidin
Contact details: +60 18-213 6168
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website

With a name like Banh Mi Kitchen, we just knew that they’ve mastered this classic Vietnamese sandwich. With that being said, they still exceeded our expectations because of just how good their banh mi were, especially their chicken variant!

For starters, they use a distinct type of baguette that’s equal parts crispy and tender. The latter comes courtesy of the different sauces they use to drench their meat of choice, whether it be pork, chicken or beef.

We also love recommending this to our friends because they offer more than just banh mi! For instance, it’s one of the best places to get authentic Viet coffee, which by the way, is the perfect accompaniment to their delicious sandwiches.

Pro tip:

If you’re not into Viet coffee but still want to drink a premium quality cup of joe, you can head to the next-door coffee house called Kraffmen Cafe. They offer a variety of espresso-based drinks such as Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos and more!

Saigon Bowl

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Address: 20A&B, Whiteaways Arcade
Contact details: +60 4-228 0682
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu

Although Saigon Bowl is advertised as a noodle bar (which it definitely is), it also serves a solid selection of banh mi that can satisfy your savoury cravings. What makes these sandwiches special is their sheer size as well as the fact that they’re packed with so many ingredients.

For instance, their chicken and cheese slice banh mi is packed with their delicious grilled chicken, American cheddar, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise and their signature sauce. They also offer a grilled chicken thigh variant, which comes with cucumbers, tomatoes and pickled onions.

While you’re here, however, it would be a shame not to try one of their pho, as they’re the main stars of their menu. Here, you can personalise your bowl by choosing the noodle type, the broth as well as all the fresh ingredients that can flavour your soup—pretty cool!

Pro tip:

You can complete your meal by spending an additional RM6! This will get you a pudding and a cup of their famous Vietnamese coffee (iced/cold).

Saigon House Cuisine

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Address: 77, Jalan Sri Bahari
Contact details: +60 16-563 5335
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website

Saigon House Cuisine is one of the most well-known Vietnamese spots in the city, and it’s easy to see why when you see its vast menu. It offers staples like pho, spring rolls, and of course, banh mi, which is one of their bestsellers.

It’s not hard to see why too, considering how stuffed their sandwiches are with different fresh ingredients. For instance, they offer a pork banh mi sandwich that’s filled to the brim with flavour, courtesy of tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro and more.

We’re also quite impressed with how their baguettes are sturdy and fluffy at the same time, making them the perfect vessel for the aforementioned ingredients.

Pro tip:

If you’re driving to Saigon House Cuisine, make sure to avoid peak hours since the place only offers curbside parking. Alternatively, you can take the bus and drop off at the Pejabat Maritim Bus Station, which is located just across the street from the restaurant.

Little Hanoi

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Address: 337, Jln Perak, Jelutong
Contact details: +60 16-422 8655
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu

Little Hanoi is a humble restaurant that offers affordable yet delicious Vietnamese classics like pho, spring rolls and noodles. However, their bestseller is undoubtedly their banh mi, which is made more special thanks to its generous proportions.

For instance, you can easily order a single roll for both you and your date and you’d still leave the place feeling full—talk about value for money! This is because each of their baguettes is filled with delicious ingredients like pork, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and their homemade sauce.

We also love how they use ingredients that you wouldn’t typically find in banh mi like lemongrass. This adds another layer of aroma to the overall sandwich, which immediately elevates its flavours.

Pro tip:

While you’re here, be sure to treat yourself to their wide array of seafood as well! They offer prawns, crabs and different types of fish that are prepared in various ways like stir-fried, boiled and more.

Ăn Viet @ Gurney Plaza

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Address: 170-B1-32A, Persiaran Gurney
Contact details: +60 4-293 3481
Operating hours:

  • Sunday to Thursday: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday: 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $$
Website
Menu

If you want to be near the water while you’re biting into your favourite sandwich, An Viet should be right up your alley! This restaurant is right by the bay, facing the Straits of Malacca so you can take a quick sightseeing trip before or after your meal.

Enough about its views though, as the real highlight here remains to be its banh mi. They offer different variations of the roll but one that we highly recommend is their grilled pork, as it offers the meatiest and savoury flavour.

Don’t worry though, as the meaty flavour doesn’t get too overwhelming, as it’s accompanied by veggies like cucumbers and lettuce.

Pro tip:

Take time to explore the rest of Gurney Plaza and discover its hidden restaurants and cafes!