You’ve heard of bánh mì, the sandwich on French baguette bread that is filled with traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Now, Bánh Mì by Ma Khin, open on the bottom floor in the Mercado de Colón, is serving up this street food with new menu items on top of their already impressive regular menu.

Steve Anderson, the creator of the beloved restaurant Ma Khin, is approaching Bánh Mì with fresh eyes. Establishing the vibes of the new restaurant, Anderson wanted Bánh Mì to be its own endeavour, not just a spin-off of Ma Khin. Although it presents as a “little brother” of Ma Khin, Bánh Mì is the relaxed eatery where you can come and sit on the terrace or order takeaway while exploring the city.

Anderson reflects on the relatability of bánh mì to Valencians, saying, “I think it’s a concept that connects very well with the custom of the sandwich, so deeply rooted in Valencia. It’s, ultimately, a meeting point between a local tradition and a distant one.” And although the typical bánh mì incorporates ingredients like pickles, cilantro, fermented sauces, and marinated meats, the appeal to Valencians is not lessened because of the difference. Instead, this sandwich packs a punch by being based on Vietnamese concepts while using all local, Valencian produce.

And the benefits of this little restaurant do not stop at the incorporation on new food concepts from Vietnam. Anderson is a believer in ‘Decolonial Food’ philosophy, which provides a space for intercultural communication to be born out of shared experiences, especially shared food.

Some highlights from Bánh Mì’s menu are Satay Chicken, a sandwich filled with classic peanut and coconut sauce, pâté, fresh cucumber, pickled carrot, pickled daikon, cilantro, and basil. Another favorite is Cuttlefish and tom yum mayonnaise, using herb butter, pickled cucumber, pickled carrot, dill, and basil to bring the flavor. Char siu bacon, accompanied by pâté, fresh cucumber, pickled carrot, pickled daikon, cilantro, and basil, introduces the classic French-Vietnamese style of a spread that makes this sandwich distinctly foreign to Valencia. For those who are looking for vegetarian options, there is marinated tofu, featuring an eggplant pâté, pickled carrot, pickled daikon, cilantro, and basil. Lastly, there are Vietnamese meatballs, accompanied by sweet chili mayonnaise, herb butter, pickled cucumber, pickled carrot, dill, and basil.

If this sounds delicious, rest assured that you can try this menu any day of the week. Bánh Mi by Ma Khin is open every day with continuous hours: Monday to Thursday, from 12 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, from 12 to midnight; and Sundays, from 12 to 5 p.m. They have an average ticket price of 15 euros as well as a daily menu for 12 euros, which includes bánh mi or salad, a drink, and dessert.

Whether you live, work, or study in Valencia, or even if you’re just here for a vacation, you can take a short break and travel to Vietnam, if only for a little while, at Bánh Mi. Designed to emulate the city street stalls of Saigon, this is an immersive experience that blends the flavours of Vietnam with the fresh and local produce of Valencia. Learn more on Bánh Mi by Ma Khin’s website: https://makhin.es/banh-mi/ as well as their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banhmi_valencia/.

Also visit their location on the bottom floor of Mercado de Colón…

Report by Fiona Pacious

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

Bánh Mì by Ma Khin

Carrer de Jorge Juan, 19, L’Eixample, 46004 València, Valencia.

(Mercado de Colón)