BanhMi11, Old Street

Posted by: Excited About Lunch on: August 6, 2013

• In: Editor's Review | Old Street
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BANHMI11
101 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3JD

PRICING: Banh Mi-£5, Noodle salad/rice box-£6
RATING: 10
WEB: http://www.banhmi11.com/

I had heard a lot about Banh Mi from their food festival presence this summer. They have been touting their healthy “market fresh” Vietnamese lunches all over town and I was very eager to try it. Not only do they hit the food fests, but they have their own” Market Cafe” near Old Street station. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the decor is as simple and fresh as the food; the colours just whisper “this is the healthiest place you are going to visit today!”

I had a Fish Q Banh Mi which is a baguette filled with a grilled catfish fillet marinated in turmeric and galangal. They also add dill and spring onion. This is my idea of delicious fast food; freshly made baguettes, herbs and julienned vegetables and not a processed item in sight.

Now they do maintain that they use the finest ingredients sourced locally; so I would like to know where catfish are swimming around in Old Street, because I would really like to see that!

Ah, they source the fish from local night markets. OK well that makes more sense.

Catfish banh mi with watermelon juice

You can try a number of other fillings for your baguette or try a noodle salad or rice box instead. They also have noodle soups and fresh summer rolls which are incredibly pleasing to the eye.

BanhMi11 is a great addition to the street food movement and anyone who serves me up some tasty catfish is already a friend of mine!