Brian Jeffrey
Positioned on Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1, Huynh Hoa stands out as one of the top banh mi destinations in Saigon, often highlighted in global media for its must-try status. Despite its fame, the store has faced controversies over its high prices and brand disputes, sparking discussions on social platforms.
Recently, a new banh mi shop known as Trang has emerged in Saigon, bearing a resemblance to Huynh Hoa. Speculations about the personal connections between the owners of these two brands have been circulating online, although their validity remains uncertain.
Despite the controversies surrounding it, Huynh Hoa continues to draw a continuous flow of customers. Locals observe that as the buzz on social media grows, so does the crowd, resulting in long lines stretching from morning to night every day of the week.
On a weekend morning visit, Huynh Hoa’s entrance was bustling with delivery drivers, and another nearby location was thriving with international patrons.
To cope with the high demand, Huynh Hoa has divided its operations between two shops: one catering to online orders and the other serving walk-in customers.
Alena, a 25-year-old tourist from Russia, expressed, “I read many reviews about Huynh Hoa banh mi and decided to try it. Luckily, I waited only 15 minutes.” She found the banh mi to be rich and flavorful, filled with diverse ingredients that added to its creamy texture, rating it 8.5 out of 10.
Martin, a 45-year-old French visitor, patiently awaited nearly 30 minutes in the sun to purchase Huynh Hoa banh mi for his family. He mentioned, “I love Vietnamese banh mi because it’s delicious and convenient. Even my daughter enjoys this delicacy. The tasty and high-quality banh mi here makes the wait worthwhile.”
Despite the abundance of banh mi eateries in Saigon, many customers are willing to queue specifically for Huynh Hoa. Orders for Huynh Hoa banh mi via delivery apps remain consistently high, leading to extended waits for delivery drivers.
One driver shared, “Whenever I get an order for Huynh Hoa banh mi, I know there will be a wait, long or short. The banh mi here is pricey, and as a driver, I might not purchase it myself, but customers continue to order and praise it.”
Huynh Hoa currently offers a single type of banh mi for 68,000 VND, comprising various ingredients like cold cuts, butter, pate, sausage, char siu, cucumber, and pickles. The pate and butter are spread in the center to maintain the crust’s crispiness, and the shop owner emphasizes that all ingredients adhere to a proprietary recipe.
The banh mi is neatly packed in a paper box, suitable for immediate consumption or as a gift, as mentioned by a store employee.
In recent years, Huynh Hoa banh mi has been frozen, packaged, and air-shipped to northern provinces. For example, a Huynh Hoa banh mi transported to Hanoi by air costs up to 100,000 VND, necessitating thawing in the fridge before reheating in the oven.
For customers in neighboring provinces, the shop provides vacuum-sealed packaging and car delivery services.
Debates around Huynh Hoa’s prices have been ongoing, with proponents arguing that the quality justifies the cost. The banh mi is packed with premium ingredients, including abundant pate, shredded pork, sausage, ham, xa xiu meat, and a variety of pickles, making it substantial enough to share between two individuals. Many loyal customers believe that the rich and flavorful pate sets Huynh Hoa apart.
However, for some, spending nearly 70,000 VND on a banh mi is inconceivable. Some commenters expressed that such a price is equivalent to their family’s breakfast groceries or consider it a luxury item suitable for the affluent or the curious, not the regular banh mi consumers.
