There’s a battle for the best banh mi in NSW and everyone has their favourite. There’s no right way to roll, with some preferring crispy BBQ pork, others lemongrass chicken or meatball. What is essential is the crusty white baguette, smooth pate and crunchy pickled veg. Here are thest banh mi in NSW, as crowned in this year’s delicious. 100.
Marrickville Pork Roll has grown so popular that it has left its namesake suburb to open an additional two outposts across the city. Now everyone can enjoy the popular pork roll, generously filled with pâté and mayonnaise, barbecue pork, carrot and daikon on a crunchy baguette. The brightly coloured pickles make this the freshest banh mi in town. Marrickville, Sydney and Haymarket; instagram.com/marrickville.porkroll.
Hong Ha has been slinging its signature banh mi for 30 years and it shows. Crunchy French baguette is baked fresh behind the counter; extra crunch comes from the crispy roast pork belly capped with shattering crackle. It’s one of nine rolls on the menu. Don’t worry, the long lines give you plenty of time to work out what to order. 1151 Botany Rd, Mascot.
You wouldn’t be the first person to abandon their grocery list and grab a pork roll at this mall-based shop. The barbecue pork is cut to order, ensuring juicy, flavourful meat in every bite. The sharpness of raw onion is replaced with the sweet caramelised kind, while crisp fried shallots add another layer of crunch. Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, Cnr Devlin St and Blaxland Rd, Ryde; instagram.com/toprydebakershouse .
Cabramatta knows all about good banh mi. Join the locals in line at Viet Hoa where the specicality is the “hot bread” stuffed with traditional fillings such as cha lua sausage and shredded pork skin. It’s a strictly no-frills affair and not much has changed in the 30 years it’s been around. It’s also open 24 hours so you can roll by whenever the hankering hits. You won’t be the only one there at 3am. 107 John St, Cabramatta.
Eddie and Ethan Nguyen know a thing or two about good banh mi, and the people of Newcastle are enthusiastic pupils. The short, sharp menu has six varieties, from classic pork rolls, tofu and mushroom, and crowd favourite – crispy pork belly. Batons of crunchy pork belly, pickled and fresh vegetables, mayonnaise, and spiky chilli on a crisp baguette is traditional yet exceptional. 1/122 Hunter St, Newcastle; instagram.com/thebigbanhmi”>instagram.com/thebigbanhmi.
