The magic of a banh mi is in its contrasts: the (sometimes painfully) crusty exterior of the bread versus its fluffy centre. The meatiness of pork (whether you go for old-school pork roll or crunchy roast pork) versus the fresh cucumber and pickled carrot. The creaminess of paté and the kick form fresh chilli. Mouth watering yet?
These are Urban List's picks for the best banh mi in Sydney.
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Marrickville Pork Roll
236 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, 16 Steam Mill Lane, Darling Harbour and 7 Loftus Lane, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Darling Harbour [Marrickville Pork Roll] | Website
If you’re into banh mi, you’ve probably already visited Marrickville Pork Roll. This iconic takeaway spot was so popular they extended to more central locations for convenience—though the classic execution of a banh mi is strong in every location.
When it comes to the Marrickville Pork Roll's secret to making some of Sydney's best banh mi, it's probably down to the fact they make everything (bar the traditional Vietnamese pork roll) in house.
Hong Ha Bakery
1151 Botany Road, Mascot
This 30-plus-year-old Botany Road establishment would be hard to find if not for the line of people permanently snaking out the door for their banh mi fix, and Hong Ha is really known for the quality of the bread rolls themselves.
When it comes to their rolls, the chicken is a top choice, with regular and schnitzel options available. However, like most people looking for banh mi, it’s pork that really gets you going—they do classic pork roll, crispy roasted pork, and barbecue pork, and are super generous with all of the fillings. Brace yourself for some serious heat if you do ask for fresh chilli.
Top Ryde Baker's House
LG2/109 Blaxland Road, Ryde
Image credit: Top Ryde City | Instagram
You're going to have to head to Sydney's north-west for this banh mi—but trust us, it's worth it. Tucked in the Top Ryde City shopping centre, Top Ryde Baker's House is famous for its plus-size crispy pork belly banh mi—and for the long queues of super fans it draws on the daily.
The family-run institution crams their rolls to almost breaking point—with the aforementioned crispy pork, barbecue pork, lemongrass beef, beef balls, chicken, and salad all on the menu as filling options. If you're out west, the same owners also have the banh mi joint in the St Clair shops.
Viet Hoa Hot Bread
107 John Street, Cabramatta
Because sometimes you just need a banh mi at 3am... Viet Hoa trades 24 hours, every day of the week, which means you can grab yourself a banh mi at any hour for just $6.50. Served up on house-baked bread for over 30 years, this is one of Sydney’s most trusted pork rolls.
Kenny's Pork Rolls
159 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Kenny's Pork Rolls | Instagram
To put it simply, Kenny's a great guy—and he makes a banging banh mi. Kenny's Pork Rolls is on a mission to share the love and support those in need by giving away healthy meals every single week in Martin Place.
Kenny has been perfecting his crispy pork for years, and the result makes for one of Urban List's favourite rolls—shattering crackle, juicy meat, and all the usual fixings. Other must-try banh mi here include eight-hour slow-cooked beef or lamb, soft shell crab, and the vibrant grilled pork sausage.
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Alex 'N' Rolls
321 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
Just up the road from Marrickville Pork Roll is Alex 'N' Rolls. Like most spots on this list, you can expect long lines winding out of the converted cottage, with punters eager to nab one of their $9 classic pork roll or caramelised pork banh mi (or fork out a tenner for crispy pork).
Got nowhere to be? Hang about in the sunny front courtyard. Nobody's quite sure of their opening hours, so check out this crowd-sourced Facebook group if you're planning a trip around their banh mi.
Le'ss Bakery
Shop 2/3 Hoddle Avenue, Campbelltown
Adored by locals in Sydney's south, Le'ss Bakery serves its banh mi on more of a baguette-style roll than your usual fluffy white number, which makes for a chewy, flavour-packed delight.
Generous is the best way to describe the banh mi here, which come absolutely packed with glistening juicy pork, shredded chicken, or even bacon and eggs for a cheeky breakfast option. We couldn't really find a website or social page—just trust us.
Lit Canteen
11 Mitchell Road, Alexandria
Image credit: Lit Canteen | Instagram
You might remember these guys from the epic DIY banh mi boxes they did during lockdown... Lit Canteen is all about honest Vietnamese street food—so it goes without saying that they do a cracking (or should that be crackling?) banh mi.
A massive banh mi here will see you back from $11, and there are chicken-, mushroom-, or tofu-filled options for those who are porked out.
Booth Street Bakery
87 Booth Street, Annandale
Booth Street Bakery's banh mi has been a crowd favourite for Inner West locals north of Parramatta Road for yonks.
The family-run Vietnamese cafe opened back in 2018, and alongside its winning BBQ chicken roll, coated in pâté and topped with ultra-fresh salad and chilli, you'll also find a selection of cakes and pastries, hot pies, and ultra-fresh noodle bowls.
Destination Roll
Various Locations
Image credit: Destination Roll | Facebook
Destination Roll is everywhere in Sydney, with a handful of CBD outposts as well as locations in Mascot, Paramatta, Cabramatta, North Sydney, North Ryde, St Leonards and Woodcroft, making it super easy to get a banh mi fix wherever you are.
“We believe there are two main components to a good banh mi, both as equally important as the other,” Delicious Roll’s Thu Ba told us. “The bread needs to be fresh, crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside. We bake bread rolls every 15 minutes. [The other component is] the fillings. From the texture of the mayo to the tanginess of the carrot, all need to be well balanced.”
Banh Mi Bay Ngo
49 Bankstown City Plaza, Bankstown
Banh Mi Bay Ngo has been serving banh mi to Bankstown for over 30 years—so it's safe to say they're a local institution. Here, you have the choice of roast pork, chicken, meatball, fish patties, and the much coveted fried egg banh mi.
Like all good banh mi joints, things move pretty fast and can get a bit chaotic in front and behind the counter. It’s also takeaway only, so find somewhere nearby to chow down while the roll is still fresh.
KK Bakery
2/85 John Street, Cabramatta
As with Bankstown, there’s more than one great banh mi shop in Cabramatta, but we’ve chosen KK Bakery for its one-of-a-kind marinated chicken Maryland roll. The juicy, marinated chicken is stripped onto the roll, which is perfectly balanced with acid and richness from mayo and pickles.
Sydney Pork Rolls
627-627A George Street, Haymarket
Sydney Pork Rolls, is a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese takeaway joint on George Street feeding hungry city workers for under a tenner—a classic banh mi here will set you back just $6.50, or $8.50 for roast pork. You can also get a little more adventurous with banh mi options like salmon, meatball, tofu or tuna.
Great Aunty Three
115 Enmore Road, Enmore
Image credit: Great Aunty Three | Instagram
Whether you’re in the mood for a wholesome bowl of pho, a Vietnamese iced coffee, or a rice paper roll snack, Enmore’s Great Aunty Three dishes up some of the best comfort Vietnamese street food in Sydney’s Inner West.
Named after owner Michael Le’s grandmother and using family recipes, the Enmore Road shop also puts on a seriously good banh mi. Helping this sandwich stand out among the rest of the field is Le’s slow-roasted pork and extra crispy pork crackling, or luxe takes like duck or even seafood.
Obunmee
115 Harris Street, Pyrmont
Obunmee gets its name from the Vietnamese word for bread—Ổ Bánh mì (pronounced “O bun mee”). Hidden away in one of Pyrmont's heritage terraces, here the range of fillings is a little broader with lemongrass pork and a "veggie delight" option on the menu alongside traditional pork.
The real MVP? The chicken schnitzel banh mi—a mashup of spicy chilli mayo and pate with crispy chicken schnitzel and a punch of fresh carrot, cucumber, apple and coriander.
Keeping it casual? Check out
Main image credit: Kenny's Pork Rolls | Instagram