Now this is the life: A lazy Saturday afternoon strolling around Broadway Market amongst all these beautiful people, eyeing up French cheeses, Austrian breads and pestos from one of the nether regions of South Italy, whilst the sounds of a four piece jazz band drift amongst the gossip, laughter and the clinking of thirst quenching glasses.
Their Street Stall in Broadway Market
Sitting rightfully in the heart of Broadway market is Ca Phe Vietnam, a delightful street cafe selling traditional Vietnamese coffee; with beans harvested from Vietnam and served slow dripped and served premium strength.
But it isn’t for the market, nor the coffee that I’m here, but rather for that heaven in a hunk (of bread) that is called Banh Mi – the Vietnamese sandwich.
Banh Mi11 is the name of the enterprise that is run by three lovely ladies and from speaking to Anh, the spokesperson of this female triumvirate, it seems they’re getting ready to take over the world. And if they don’t do that, they’ll settle for giving the London populous great banh mi. Anh gave me a quick minute away from the piling orders to tell me her passion for the humble vietnamese sandwich - how she loves to eat it, but couldn’t find anywhere that sold it; that they strive in getting only the best quality ingredients into making their sandwiches, including the gorgeous crusty bread – the daikon and carrot pickles are homemade, as is the pate, the meats and the baguettes are sourced from one of the best bakeries in London.
The effort that goes into the layers that make this sandwich will amuse your bouche: Crisp aromatic bread gives way to the sweet sensation of the lightly pickled vegetables and then the yielding, creamy pate takes over, but always with a hint of that fresh coriander that accompanies every bite.
Ca Phe VN / Banh Mi11
To say that each individual ingredient has a part to play is to state the obvious, but like all good Vietnamese food, banh mi is a balance of fresh ingredients and strong flavours.
Well done ladies 
Unfortunately they ran out of the triple meat special (pate, honey roast chicken and pork) but it gives me an excuse, if I ever needed one to go back.
Sorry for the lack of food pics on this post as my trusty Nikon was victim to a serious assault (wife dropped it) and is undergoing repair. The photos I took does not do justice but head on over to Banhmi11′s website for pics, anecdotes and general goings on in taking over the world.
Highly recommended!
http://banhmi11.com/
Located right next to Ca Phe VN, Broadway Market, E8
Please note – they are currently trading Saturdays only from 10am-5pm.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Panda Panda, Deptford Broadway, Vietnamese Cafe
- Banzi, Vietnamese Restaurant, Surrey Quays, London
- Cafe East, a great Vietnamese Restaurant in Surrey Quays
- Baguette and More-Vietnamese Food Stall in Greenwich that sells Banh Mi
- Mama Pho, Vietnamese cafe on Evelyn Street, Deptford
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Banhmi11 actually trades together with Ca Phe VN, at their Saturday street cafe at Benjamin Close, Broadway Market E8. The perfect mix – delicious Banh Mi with fantastic real Vietnamese coffee & tea, served in the real Saigon Street Cafe. Get there early to avoid disappointment.
Ca Phe VN has launched its own Banhmi – Banh Mi SaiGon – every Saturday at the Saigon Street Cafe – Benjamin Close, Broadway Market E8 10-5
5 pork, traditional Southern style baguette – excellent light bread with cha bong, steamed pork, cha, gammon ham, pate, pickled diakon & carrot, cucumber, spring onion, coriander, gravy, Vietnamese mayonaise & chilli.
Ca Phe VN 07780784696
Great one. This is one of my favourite eats at Broadway Market, which is a stroll away along Regent Canal from my place. Nothing beats sitting on the small stools beside the stall having a bahn mi and strong Vietnamese coffee. Brings a smile on my face whenever I think of that.
I’m a great believer in nurturing the soul and you’ve just described a great way of doing it. I must say that due to proximity, familiarity, and my children’s penchant for the rhubarb crumble sold by Goddard’s Pie Shop, my local banh mi fix is supplied by Baguette and More in Greenwich.