Hidden alley spot brings Hue flavor of 'banh mi bot loc' to Ho Chi Minh City

A unique and creative fusion of textures and flavors, 'banh mi bot loc' brings together two seemingly unrelated ingredients: the crispy crust of a traditional Vietnamese baguette (banh mi) and the chewy shrimp-and-pork dumplings (banh bot loc).

A beloved specialty from Hue City in central Vietnam, banh mi bot loc can be founded at some eateries in Ho Chi Minh City, including Mu Y eatery at 147/49 Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in Tan Son Nhi Ward, Tan Phu District.

The venue draws attention not only for its morning dishes like bun hen (baby mussel noodles) and banh canh noodles, but especially for its banh mi bot loc, which sells for just VND15,000 (US$0.57), in the afternoon from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

"I started selling banh mi bot loc in 2020. At that time, hardly anyone offered this dish in Saigon," Nguyen Thi Nhu Y, 28, the owner of the eatery, recalled.

"My husband and I hesitated for a long time before deciding to give it a try."

Worried that the dish might not suit local tastes, Y initially prepared only a small quantity of banh mi bot loc until it gradually won over diners.

"Fortunately, many Hue natives living far from home came to try it because they missed their hometown flavors," Y said.

"With word-of-mouth power, soon we had more customers without even realizing it"

The outer baguette features a slightly buttery, crispy crust and is stuffed with three to five pieces of chewy banh bot loc, creating an unconventional combination that surprises diners with both its taste and appearance.

What is indispensable is the fish sauce drizzle, a sweet-savory blend infused with garlic and chili.

The bread is often topped with scallion oil, fried shallots, rau ram (Vietnamese coriander), pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and char siu pork or Vietnamese pate for extra fragrance and richness.

Almost all the ingredients are sourced from Hue, and the couple prepares everything themselves to ensure the authentic Hue taste.

"People often tell me, 'It tastes just like home' or 'This reminds me of Hue,'" Y said.

The eatery sells around 600700 loaves of banh mi daily, with the couple starting preparing the ingredients from 8:00 am to keep up with demand.

Despite rising meat and ingredient prices, Y has kept the price at VND15,000.

"I understand that times are tough and everyone needs to save. That's why I want to keep the price affordable to encourage my customers to keep coming back," she said.

Thuong Khai - Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/06/06-17:53)