It started, as most great quests do, with a craving and a Facebook post. Roy Butler MP, a self-confessed foodie with an “unhealthy obsession” with the Vietnamese pork roll, put out a call to the far west: where in Barwon can a person get a decent banh mi?
In his post, Mr Butler describes the much-loved delicacy for his followers: “There are lots of variations, but traditionally it’s a crisp outside and soft inside baguette, with Pate, egg butter, pickled carrot and/or daikon, cucumber, green onion, coriander, chilli, various pork cuts, Maggi seasoning etc. These days there is chicken, vego versions, beef, fried fish or tuna.”
Mr Butler wrote that banh mi has a following out west, but very few places sell the tasty rolls on a regular basis. He named The Landing Zone at Broken Hill airport, which does them from time to time, and The Port of Bourke Hotel, which sometimes has them as a special.
“Anywhere else in Barwon that people can get a good one?” wrote Mr Butler.
The answers came thick and fast, and Tamworth was first in line. “Not in Barwon, but there’s a great little hole in the wall place in Tamworth that do a great one,” wrote Robert Davison. He said it is on Peel Street, beside Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service.
Other tips came from further afield. Pen McLachlan nominated Condo Bakery in Condoblin, and Melissa Rees confirmed this writing that it “has an exceptional one”. Matty Kolar said a great one can be found at Majura Park Shopping Centre in Canberra. Kelly Zanker suggested Macs Oven Foods. Jamie-Lea Trindall suggested the Gunnedah Hot Bread shop.
Broken Hill locals want their own supply. “Definitely need it available in Broken Hill on a full time basis,” wrote Mitch Rodgers. The request came with a condition: “No coriander though.”
Adam Bastin wrote that a Broken Hill cook, Bui Thuy Linh, will soon be making them, and that several paramedics who tried them found them delicious. Cheryl Yow said Carinda Hotel does not serve banh mi, but might put on a special if the publican sees the post.
While not technically in Mr Butler’s electorate, online reviews point to two strong standouts in the New England North West, both relatively new outlets bringing the love for banh mi far and wide.
Armidale’s Home Taste Vietnam, a welcome addition to the Beardy Street Mall, is rated 4.8 out of 5 from a decent number of reviews for a store that’s been open just over a year. It is known for its crispy and roasted pork banh mi, as well as its pho and signature egg coffee, and most meals cost under $20.
In Moree, Banh Mi Saigon at 26 Alice Street is even newer, opening just before Christmas, but has the backing of the chain. It is praised for generous fillings, crispy pork and a satay tofu with a meaty texture, so vegetarians are not left out.
The hunt is not just a local affair. The Vietnamese Banh Mi Appreciation Society, a public Facebook group with more than 214,000 members, exists to rate, compare and discuss what it calls Vietnamese rolls. Members are asked to score their roll out of five and include a photo, the name and location of the shop, and the total cost. The group warns that a perfect 5/5 will most likely be scrutinised by admins or fellow members, so anyone handing one out had better be ready to explain why.
There is no winner yet, but the shortlist is growing. Those keen to join the wider hunt can find the national group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1213959128624263/ and post their finds with #VBMAS.
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