Bánh Mì Nếm – Vietnamese Bakery in Hong Kong Recognized by Michelin

Bánh Mì Nếm, located in Hong Kong, has become the first and only Vietnamese bánh mì shop to be included in the Michelin Guide’s Selected list 2025. In September, the shop was also named Best Vietnamese Restaurant at the Foodie Forks 2025 Awards by Foodie Magazine (Hong Kong), earning widespread recognition from locals, travelers, and even celebrities seeking an authentic taste of Vietnam.

Although the shop occupies just 35 square meters, it is constantly packed, with customers lining up outside—sometimes waiting up to an hour just to buy a bánh mì.

The Vietnamese Owner Behind the Success Story

The shop is run by Ms. Đặng Kiên Di (Kiki Phụng), a Vietnamese entrepreneur who has lived in Hong Kong for nearly 20 years. Just a few years ago, Vietnamese cuisine in Hong Kong was quite limited, mainly known for pho and occasionally bánh mì—but usually adapted heavily to suit local preferences.

In 2024, Ms. Kiki opened her first authentic Vietnamese bánh mì shop in Wan Chai, after leaving her job as a court interpreter to pursue content creation about life, culture, and food in Hong Kong.

Authentic Traditional Bánh Mì Recipe

Bánh Mì Nếm is widely loved for its genuine Vietnamese taste. The bread features:

• Crispy crust and airy, soft texture

• Fresh herbs, spring onions, cucumber, and pickled vegetables—ingredients often minimized at other Vietnamese restaurants in Hong Kong

• Homemade fillings, including cold cuts and pickles

• Imported pâté from Vietnam

• Fresh bread baked daily in their own bakery

The shop offers five signature fillings:

• Grilled chicken

• Vegetarian bánh mì

• Cold cuts

• Traditional braised pork with egg

• Crispy roasted pork belly

Each sandwich costs HKD 70 (approx. 230,000 VND)—higher than the typical HKD 45 (150,000 VND) at other shops, but customers say the quality justifies the price.

Recognition and Challenges

Less than a year after opening, Bánh Mì Nếm was named in the Michelin Guide Selected list, making it:

• The only Vietnamese bánh mì shop included

• The only takeaway-style eatery recognized this year

Building a skilled team has been challenging, as many local staff were unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine. As a result, Ms. Kiki has taken on nearly every task—from kitchen preparation to store operations.

Yet, the effort has paid off. Many international visitors and Hong Kong locals express surprise and excitement about the variety and authenticity of Vietnamese cuisine.

Expanding Beyond Bánh Mì

The menu has recently expanded to include other popular Vietnamese dishes such as:

• Bún thịt nướng (grilled pork vermicelli)

• Bún chả giò (spring roll vermicelli)

• Vietnamese coffee

With increasing attention and loyal customers, Bánh Mì Nếm is continuing to promote Vietnam’s culinary culture abroad.

Conclusion

Bánh Mì Nếm is more than a sandwich shop—it represents the pride of Vietnamese culinary identity in Hong Kong. Through passion, authenticity, and perseverance, it has set a new standard for Vietnamese cuisine internationally and continues to elevate Vietnam’s food culture on the global stage.

images: collected

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