After seeing this spot featured in a local Cheap Eats segment, I took Mom here for a Mother's Day lunch a couple months ago.
Banh Mi'licious is a small spot, probably six tables or so. They opened in early February, so they might not yet have been used to more people showing up for their food.
It's a small menu with good variety. Banh mi, summer rolls, pho, rice dishes, the usual items.
Mom got the Veggie Pho ($18.50) but as usual asked for the beef broth. The pho included tofu and seasonal veggies, which included mushrooms and broccoli this time. As always, pho comes with a side of bean sprouts, Thai basil, jalapeños, and lime. Our server was confused at first but eventually understood. It was a good pho. Tofu seared nicely on all sides and sliced. Top-notch, flavorful beef broth that kept us going back for more. The broth appeared a tad oily and on the sweeter side, but Mom didn't care. She even christened it her new pho spot after Pho Thinh closed several years ago.
The Sun-Kissed Crackle Pork Banh Mi ($16) featured a healthy portion of pork, pate, mayo, sweet onion, house-made picked carrots and daikon, cucumber, and jalapeño on a toasted large, football-shaped baguette.
Juicy pork, fat rendered nicely, although maybe the pork could have had more exterior crackle. Awesome pickled veggies. Pate was smooth, with that umami punch that brought everything together. Overall, one of the better baguettes for a banh mi that I've had. You could tell it was freshly made and baked perfectly, that soft crunch perfect for an ASMR video.
Dad enjoyed and practically wolfed down his Caramel Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi ($15). He finished half before Mom even made any dent in her pho.
I think they showed how young a business (and staff) they currently have. Some people who ordered after us got their food before us, and initially we didn't get an extra bowl that we asked for. However, that customer service should smoothen out over time.
Banh Mi'licious is an excellent spot at Kapalama Shopping Center. Definitely worth checking out if you have a craving for banh mi and pho. 8.75/10
No comments:
Post a Comment