Authentic bánh mì in Tokyo

[gkanai]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a legitimate bánh mì in Tokyo. Does anyone have any suggestions?

A friend I trust recommends Ledge Dor in Aoyama but I haven't been there myself.

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1306/A130...

Your suggestions are eagerly awaited!

[jem589]

Banh Mi Sandwich in Takadanobaba (first in the TimeOut article above). Creative name, nice people, bread made in house, good sandwiches.

[NZJoe]

Does anyone else have any opinions on the Takadanobaba Banh Mi? Also is it true that they are open only tues-sat and until 8pm (thats what I gleaned from the Timeout article)? Any gory details will be appreciated

[LikeFrogButOOOH]

Total coincidence, I happened to stop by the Takadanobaba Banh Mi shop this last week because I work close by. They're definitely closed Monday, as that was when I first visited. I got the Vietnamese ham and pate sandwich. 500 yen and it came on a light, crunchy roll. Pickled veg was heavy on the daikon, light on carrot, a little wetter than I'm used to. And I could have used a little more cilantro. But boy, did that sandwich hit the spot. Warm, juicy, meaty, and crunchy, taking a bite of it was the first time in months that I experienced that mouth-full-of-meat-and-bread satisfaction that comes with a properly stuffed sandwich. I'll definitely be coming by again.

[dw38638]

A new place opened in Shimokitazawa, called Vi-Sand.
It tasted relatively good, but I never tried the real thing so i don't know how authentic they taste

[OGguy]

I'll be back in Shibuya in 2 weeks. Will actually walk down the stairs this time and check it out.

[Robb S]

If you're checking to see if Potluck is really gone, don't bother - they closed last year according to the man who answered the phone at their former phone number.

[OGguy]

Thanks!

[hello_liza]

Time Out Tokyo has a story on banh mi spots: http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/featur... I've only been to Potluck - thought it was pretty good but I've never had an authentic one. They have bottles of Sriacha on the table though so that's a plus. But I thought the portion was quite small.

[OGguy]

I don't know how old that story is, but I think the Potluck place has closed. They made a good banh mi, but when I returned for another visit in December, it looked like there was another restaurant in that space. I didn't go down the stairs to see if perhaps there were 2 restaurants operating.....

[hello_liza]

I actually walked past there last night and it was gone!!! Replaced by a generic-looking Italian cafe called "Bili" or "Billi" or something like that. I didn't have time to go down the stairs either, but I don't see how there could be two restaurants there? I guess the Shibuya masses want pasta, not banh mi :/

[Robb S]

Actually Potluck served pastas too, not just banh mi - they had a wide-ranging menu.

[garyakira]

Hi all sorry if someone already already mentioned but there is one in Harajuku called Pacific Sandwich Place, exit from the Takeshita Dori exit, cross the street and go left. Its the 3rd or 4th building on the right side of the road. Its ok but seems like they have a current monopoly on the market for banh mi, I went late in the afternoon, after 130 pm and there was still a relatively constant flow of customers.

[hello_liza]

I went there yesterday and thought it was good! Good sized portion, too. Got myself a sandwich and took it to Yoyogi Park - will definitely be doing more of that when the weather warms up for real!

[Robb S]

Better hurry - when I was there a few days ago I heard that they might be closing at the end of March.

[Robb S]

And Pacific Sandwich Place in Harajuku is officially gone, replaced by an art gallery.

[Robb S]

L'Edge d'Or (mentioned in the OP) is also out of business, BTW, just like Pacific Sandwich and Potluck. Is it the Curse of Banh Mi?

[Robb S]

And now Pacific Sandwich Place has mysteriously reappeared, replacing the art gallery.

[dingaling]

I saw a place in Shibuya, in a basement cafe connecting the Muji store..i forgot the name of the cafe....but I was reluctant to try it....if anyone does, I'd like to know how it is.....

[Robb S]

The cafe is called Potluck Opening Ceremony, in the basement of the Opening Ceremony complex. I mentioned it in the posting just before yours.

[Notorious P.I.G.]

I would hope that it would be passable. They're from NY which has some pretty decent Banh Mi in my opinion. Apparently they also do a brunch, something about make your own omelet?

[dingaling]

What do you mean that they're from NY? like the owners, store or employees?
So they are really vietnamese? Just curious.
I'm from NY and I actually think they're better out in Cali and Toronto....
Thanks.

[Notorious P.I.G.]

The clothing brand Opening Ceremony is from NYC. They're on Howard just East of Broadway. I believe the owners are originally from LA. Have no idea where the employees are from.

They're not Vietnamese. It would also help to note that they are primarily a clothing brand with a Cafe in their clothing shop.

I've never tried Banh Mi in California but I can definitely attest to the fact that even the worst Banh Mi in NY is still better than the swill we have in Toronto.

[dingaling]

That's funny, i never heard of them.
Your'e probably right but I think the bread here would be so much better because the Japanese can copy a french baguette so well. Its hard to get a good banh mi baguette in NY.
Cali Orange County area has a huge influx of Vietnamese, so that's why they have good viet food there.

I noticed a viet place in the basement of Midtown Foodcourt also. They advertised that they have Banh Mi....should give it a try some day....

[lost squirrel]

the Vietnamese place in Midtown does NOT have banh mi, I went yesterday in search of the sandwich and came up empty handed once again.

[dingaling]

dude, sooo sorry about that...I walked around there a few weeks ago and could have sworn I saw a handmade sign....did you at least eat there?

[lost squirrel]

Nah, I felt bamboozled and walked home in a huff.

Just kidding, actually I just bought some groceries and took them home to cook. No worried, I had the "Elephant Box" banh mi yesterday and it was pretty good when combined with rotisserie chicken courtesy of the Tuesday lunch trucks by 1st Square/Otemachi

[gkanai]

Thanks for the update. Clearly there's a niche here that needs to be filled. If there was a good banh mi in Tokyo I'd think it would be really popular.

Separately, don't get me started on Bagel & Bagel's inedible bagels.

[dingaling]

Let's get some money together and start a venture....I have prior experience in making them from my restaurant in NYC.

[Uncle Yabai]

The clock ticketh... So enjoy while you can.

[Robb S]

Don't know how authentic it is, but there is bánh mì on the menu at Potluck Opening Ceremony.

I didn't notice it at L'Edge d'Or, just a lot of French dishes like duck confit.

[Debbie M]

Vietnam Alice serves banh mi, but I don't know if it would pass the "legitimate" criteria.

[lost squirrel]

Is it good?

[Debbie M]

I've never had it (I usually order a hot dish), that's why I can't speak to it's legitimacy.

But it looks good.

[Japan Eats]

The Majestic, a Vietnamese restaurant in Minami Aoyama, put together a fairly authentic bánh mì for the last year's Vietnamese food festival in Yoyogi park. It doesn't appear to be on their regular menu, but I'm sure if you asked nicely...

http://vietnam-majestic.com/

[lost squirrel]

I'm eagerly awaiting any news you find, I haven't found many.
The closest I've found is a lunch truck called Elephant Box that serves a 'vietnam sandwich' for about 400yen. It's not a hefty sandwich, but the tastes are pretty on par. It doesn't quite satisfy my cravings though.

EDIT:: I heard that Viron has a one, i'll try it in the next 2 weeks and report back.

[Uncle Yabai]

Viron has a Banh Mi? Now you tell me.

[lost squirrel]

Unfortunately, Viron does not. I can vouch for the deliciousness of their other sandwiches however.

The Banh Mi hunt continues!

[Uncle Yabai]

I think your sister is the one responsible here.