Viet Deli

If you have ever been to Vietnam, you will know that the best and most available breakfast, lunch and dinner option is a bánh mì. Known for its crispy baguette, savoury fillings and fresh flavours. A blend of French and Vietnamese cuisine, most commonly served with pickled vegetables, coriander, mayonnaise and various meats or tofu. 

Now, imagine not having to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy one of these special sandwiches. Well, now you can, with the new Viet Deli now open on Blackfriars Street. This family run business is off to an astounding start, with a soft launch that lasted more than two weeks due to high demand and continuous sales. 

Viet Deli is a small venue, not the kind of place for a sit down meal. Which makes perfect sense as they serve only bánh mì which is traditionally street food in Vietnam. Often purchased from a cart or a ‘hole in the wall’ type of establishment. Viet Deli is keeping things authentic and we are here for it. 

On the board above the counter you will see your four bánh mì options. Classic, Char Siu, Lemongrass chicken and Crispy tofu. We had to go for the classic, ‘a timeless Vietnamese favourite’. And it is obvious why, the layers of savoury cured pork and creamy rich pate blended with pickled carrots & dailon, cucumber, fresh chilis and that signature sauce. If I closed my eyes, I could have sworn I was back in Hanoi, sitting on a busy street’s edge watching the bikes go by. 

There are two or three seats in front of the shop window. Sitting here, you might notice the sense of community already established by Viet Deli. Brothers Mike and Bao Nguyen converted part of the neighbouring barbershop – owned and run by Mike Nguyen himself – to create Viet Deli. Now working side by side, Mike runs the barbers and next door Bao is serving up those hard to beat bánh mì and did I forget to mention, traditional Vietnamese coffee! Ice Coffee, Salted Buttermilk Coffee and of course Vietnamese Egg Coffee, a must try indeed.