As of this week, six month pop-up joint Mr Banh Mi has exited its hot spot on Wulumuqi Zhong Lu. But those who swear by those Vietnamese sammies need not fret, as a permanent spot – or better yet, a few spots – are in the works for the very near future. No sure word yet on the location(s), but keep your eyes peeled in the Jingan area.
Started by Ricky Hoang from the team behind Vietnamese restaurant Cyclo, Mr Banh Mi opened in March with a no-frills set-up – a small space with just enough room for a walk-up counter to sling two sizes of banh mi, cold vermicelli bowls and a few other snacks. Hoang's simple but stellar versions of the staple Southeast Asian sandwich stirred something deep inside that hadn't been felt since that haze of a month spent backpacking from Hanoi to Saigon. It was an awesome addition to a neighbourhood that already has it all.
It's too bad that Hoang will no longer be holding down that excellent locale beside the Avocado Lady... but multiple Mr Banh Mi joints sounds like an even bigger win.