Banh Mi in Sydney CBD

Banh mi in Sydney CBD? No, really? You betcha! I never would have thought that Sydney city would have banh mi readily available. What city worker would want a vietnamese bread roll/baguette filled with layers of processed meats, pickled vegetables, a smothering of pate, mayonnaise (or lard as I say) and cilantro/corriander? Lots, apparently! Kudos to them! My lunch breaks have been spent hunting for a decent banh mi. Here’s what I found so far:

Please note that before proceeding with the post, I have taken photos of my banh mi which I have already taken a few bites from. This is purely to showcase the innards. I do apologise in advance if you take offence to this or think it is gross.

Phuong BBQ Pork Rolls (at the Hunter Connection Food Court)

Having only discovered this food court not too long ago, it is filled with lots of cheap eats with communal seating. Be sure to get in early as tables get filled up quick so you may find yourself standing up while eating. My buddy Raff directs me to this banh mi place (it’s not the only one there FYI).

Pork Roll $4

I don’t diverge away from what I came to get – a banh mi thit - and on a brown roll (score! – white is also available). I was impressed there was such an option. Sadly the bread isn’t as soft and pillowy as what I’m used to, it’s quite dense and dry. There is plenty of layered meats. I found the spanish onions a bit of an odd touch but otherwise it was a pretty decent pork roll. It could do with a little more pickled carrots, pate and mayo/lard :P

Phuong BBQ Pork Rolls
Hunter Connection
Shop F10, 7-13 Hunter Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 9231 4029

Sydney Pork Rolls?? (627 George Street – there actually is no name on the shop front)

A recommendation by alwayseating on instagram sees me looking for a newly opened pork roll shop on the busy road of George Street. It takes me about 15 minutes to find as it’s a tiny little shop front. Banh mi thit please!

Pork Roll $3.50

For $3.50 the prices are even cheaper than the ones at Cabramatta! The bread roll is huge, at least 1.5 x larger than the normal bread rolls you would get. It got me so excited! The bread has a nice crust however, again, the insides weren’t as fluffy as I know them to be back at home.

The bread to filling ratio wasn’t really in proportion (or at least what I’m used to). I did feel like I had mass amounts of bread. If the bread roll was smaller I think the filling would have been enough. Although it does sound like they have their good and bad days – alwayseating has had a case were they were extremely generous with the filling. Not bad for $3.50!

Sydney Pork Rolls
627 George St
Sydney NSW 2000

My last encounter is probably the best overall.. yep, saving the best for last.

Rolls on Oxford (Darlinghurst)

A few friends briefly mentioned to me Rolls on Oxford before, and I was told they made the best pork rolls in Sydney. Hmm, really? I questioned this and there was only one way to find out!

Classic Vietnamese Pork Roll? Fo shizzle! That banh mi on the poster looks epic. Haha.

 Loving the packaging and labels!

 Pork Roll $5.90

And so the pork roll is unveiled. Look at the mayo/lard oozing out! The bread is what intrigues me the most. It looks like more of a baguette with a very crusty outside. It worries me so because I’m not sure where the layers of meats are. Oh no! I cross my fingers and hope for the best…

One, two, three bites in and ohhhhh myyyyyyy wordddddddd. I really do believe everyone when they say it is the best pork roll that they’ve ever had! The baguette-like bread has a lovely crusty outside but it maintains the soft fluffy innards like a vietnamese bread roll should. It has an awesome slathering of pate and mayo, so much it oozes out the ends (which is the way it should be). There is a generous layering of the 3 types of meats, a whole heap of pickled carrots, cucumber and cilantro/corriander. Yes it sounds like every other pork roll out there, but I think the freshness and quality of produce used makes it overcome the rest. It truly is amazing.

So the bigger question is, how does the city banh mi compare to the ones back at home, namely Cabramatta? Well, Rolls on Oxford are definitely giving Cabramatta a run for their money that’s for sure. But it all has to do with demographics and convenience. If I’m at home I’ll definitely be hitting up Cabramatta and my cravings would be satisfied. If I’m at work, Rolls on Oxford will now be go to place and again my cravings would be satisfied. Think I’m in a win-win situation ;)

Rolls on Oxford
63 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Tel: +61 2 8065 5067

You can also catch them on facebook!

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