Hi Banh Mi

This strong, rich, and aromatic Vietnamese coffee is truly in a class of its own. Despite the addition of condensed milk and ice, the coffee's robust flavour remains potent and not overly sweet. It's an enjoyable drink, especially on a hot day after eating the banh mi.

Whenever I can't decide on what type of banh mi to get, I always go for the special. It includes a bit of everything, so you get to taste it all. Though it may be a little more expensive than the regular types, it's worth it for the variety. This huge baguette, crafted by Vietnamese hands, is smeared with various pastes and stuffed with toppings like char siew, various hams, and vegetables. It's then heated up in the oven for an extraordinary crunchiness. Every bite is a delightful mess of crumb dropping and savoury goodness. I love how the toppings are overloaded, and the sauces are just the right amount for great satisfaction.

Banh Mi Special ($7.50)
Whenever I can't decide on what type of banh mi to get, I always go for the special. It includes a bit of everything, so you get to taste it all. Though it may be a little more expensive than the regular types, it's worth it for the variety. This huge baguette, crafted by Vietnamese hands, is smeared with various pastes and stuffed with toppings like char siew, various hams, and vegetables. It's then heated up in the oven for an extraordinary crunchiness. Every bite is a delightful mess of crumb dropping and savoury goodness. I love how the toppings are overloaded, and the sauces are just the right amount for great satisfaction.

Iced Black Coffee with Condensed Milk ($3.50)
This strong, rich, and aromatic Vietnamese coffee is truly in a class of its own. Despite the addition of condensed milk and ice, the coffee's robust flavour remains potent and not overly sweet. It's an enjoyable drink, especially on a hot day after eating the banh mi.
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🚩Hi Banh Mi!, 340 Geylang Rd, 01-15 Le Regal, Singapore 389365
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The beef is what's recommended by people, the general consensus is that the rest is not special

Have to say the baguette is pretty decent. The ratio isn't good enough, flavours were passable

Probably the best in the region already? But definitely not worth a trip

Found out about Hi Banh Mi recently from a post on social media whilst scrolling the phone one fine day — have been quite intrigued with such hole-in-the-wall establishments that serve up the Vietnamese sandwich and decided to check it out. The stall likely existed some time back in 2021, though it is currently located at a mixed-use development named Le Regal — the same building is also home to Yuu Xiang Dam Dessert Cafe; an establishment that serves up traditional Chinese Tong Shui 糖水 and other related desserts (they have recently expanded their operations with a second outlet located at 83A Geylang Road). Whilst being a hole-in-the-wall operation occupying just a small shop space that hosts the food preparation area and the ordering counter, Hi Banh Mi does have a couple of outdoor tables set up haphazardly right across the walkway — a rather informal setup that involves a few plastic / camping chairs and low tables that one would expect from an authentic Vietnamese eatery by the roadside. As the namesake suggests, Hi Banh Mi serves up a variety of Banh Mi items — think standard offerings found in most places such as the Char Siew Sandwich and the Crispy Roasted Pork Sandwich, though they also do have more uncommon items such as the Fried Fish Cake Sandwich as well. There are also items which we spotted that are not listed on the menu — think Fresh Spring Rolls, while they also do serve a single “dessert” item which would be the Vietnamese Fried Banana; yet another item which we rarely find in Vietnamese establishments around.

Given this is our very first visit to Hi Banh Mi, it is needless to say that we went for the Homemade Special Sandwich (Banh Mi Dac Biet) — whilst the menu did not describe the elements that went into the making of this sandwich, we do note that there was a spread of pate, while the meaty elements comprises of the Char Siew and an assortment of Vietnamese hams; also included in the Homemade Special Sandwich (Banh Mi Dac Biet) was some sort of an element that visually reminds us of pork floss, as well as strips of cucumber, coriander and sriracha sauce. The Banh Mi is prepared upon order — this meant that the entire sandwich is being served hot to the patron in the paper bag. Taking a bit into the sandwich, we really liked how the baguette here gave a shattering crisp bite; that sort gives a firm bite yet flaking all over onto our shirts — the way it should be for a good Banh Mi. Spread with just enough pate to give the entire sandwich a savoury note with a buttery texture that help to ensure that each bite does not get too dry, we liked how the myriad of elements here from the various meat provided several degrees of savouriness and bite; creates a good contrast in terms of both flavours and textures. The sriracha sauce seems to bind everything altogether; it gives a good kick of spiciness that tickles the tastebuds for those who are tolerable to lower levels of spiciness — all that whilst the refreshing crunch of the cucumbers and the distinct note of the coriander helped to cut through all the carbs and the meaty elements. One thing of particular note of the Banh Mi here in a whole was how it really carried a good, firm bite; never once did it felt limp and poorly stuffed in between — something which we found to be really enjoyable with all the flavours and textures going on as well.

Truth to be told, we have still yet to try some of the highly recommended Banh Mi specialty stores around — this includes the highly-touted 233 Banh Mi that is situated along Joo Chiat Road, as well as the popular Banh Mi Saigon which is located at Blk 505 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8; both being establishments that are being highly regarded in the local foodie community for their stellar renditions of Banh Mi. That being said, establishments that have distinguished themselves for their Banh Mi that we have tried includes that of Bami Express at Blk 5 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, as well as that of LifeCoffee at Amoy Street Food Centre — we do feel that the Banh Mi at Hi Banh Mi matches well against those that we have tried from the aforementioned two. We have also given their Vietnamese Fried Banana a try — this was fairly interesting considering how they seem very much like our local Chinese-style Fried Dough Fritters but with banana paste spread in between; totally different from the Thai variant which we expected it to be closer to. Their Iced Black Coffee with Condensed Milk is also absolutely strong — almost chocolate-y yet with a very caffeinated lunch; the condensed milk providing a hint of sweetness that makes it so sinful but satisfying. With their sandwiches being priced in the range of $4 (the lowest priced Banh Mi being the Sunny Side Up Sandwich) to $6.90 (the most priciest being the Homemade Special Sandwich which we had), this may not be the most affordable / wallet-friendly eat at Geylang, but this does seem to be a reasonable price to pay for Banh Mi around the island — the quality probably being one of the better ones that is worth making the trip for as well!