I remember my first ever bite of bánh mì. It was from a scrappy little roadside stand in a sleepy city called Huế. The beef was tender, the pickled veg had the perfect crunch and tang, and the bread? Oh man, the bread. Crackly, golden perfection on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. I ended up going back every single day for the rest of my (month-long, mind you) trip.
Since then, I’ve been on a bit of a quest (some might call it an obsession) to find a bánh mì in Singapore that could match that OG experience. It’s not easy. There’s an art to it — the marinade, the freshness, the balance of flavour. But let’s be real, none of it works if the bread flops. You need that iconic crunch and the soft, buttery inside.
So, when I heard about Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette, a small Vietnamese joint serving only bánh mì and phở (bold move), I knew I had to check it out. Could this be it?
Only 1 way to find out.
Getting there
Bánh Mì Thịt is tucked away in Geylang, just a quick bus ride from Kallang MRT. I rolled up around 7pm, and the place already had a steady stream of regulars — always a good sign. The shop itself is small and quaint, with a few square tables and stools scattered around. It’s well-ventilated, surprisingly cosy, and the entire place smelled like freshly baked bread. I do believe my stomach growled upon entry. 👀
The menu’s tight and focused: just seven types of bánh mì, each starring a different meat — pork, chicken, beef, the usual suspects.
Naturally, I went for the beef bánh mì. I’ve gotta keep the playing field even for my ongoing comparison quest. I also caved and got an iced Vietnamese coffee to make it a set. Sacrificing my sleep for a good cup of cà phê sữa đá was a no-brainer.
But I wasn’t stopping there. I spotted their Signature Phở on the menu. Apparently, it’s their hot ticket item, so I absolutely had to order it.
What we’ve been waiting for: the Bánh Mì
The bánh mì arrived in under five minutes, toasty warm in its little paper bag — fresh, fast, and already smelling like a win. The staff even offered to cut it in half for me (love a thoughtful touch).
It was a proper unit packed with juicy marinated beef, crunchy cucumbers, leafy greens, coriander, and a mystery sauce that smelled incredible. I was already mentally giving it five stars.
And then came the bite — chef’s kiss. I got a little bit of everything, and it was straight-up harmony. The beef was so tender and flavourful, the veggies (I spied cucumbers, pickled carrots, and lettuce) brought a clean crunch, and the coriander added that earthy punch that just ties it all together.
But the real star of the show? That bread. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside — the dream combo. The top flaked with every bite, and yeah, I made a mess. Crumbs everywhere (I cleaned up, I promise). It was warm, fresh, and honestly one of the best bánh mì loaves I’ve had outside Vietnam.
And then the phở
Just as I was halfway through my bánh Mì, dreaming about marrying that bread, the phở arrived.Oh boy, it did not come to play. This thing was massive. A deep, steaming bowl packed with all the good stuff — noodles, tender sliced beef, meatballs, and beef tendon, drowned in broth. It came with a plate of fresh greens and lime on the side.
First thing I noticed? The broth wasn’t drowning in oil. No grease slick on the surface, which is always a green flag. I took a sip, and yep — confirmed. Light on the oil, heavy on the umami. It was savoury, with that slow-cooked depth that I’ve only ever tasted in Vietnam itself.
The noodles were soft, springy, and extremely slurpable. Everything came together in that perfect spoonful: rich broth, tender beef, chewy tendon, and a bounce of meatball. It was phở real the kind of dish I’d happily devour even on the hottest, sunniest day, sweating away.
The iced coffee
Last but not least, the iced coffee. Vietnamese iced coffee isn’t your average cup of joe — it’s got this rich, caramel aftertaste that sneaks up on you. Served in a plastic to-go cup, this drink came out looking dark — a great indicator that it packed some serious flavour.
First sip? Yup, instant addiction alert. Not too sweet, just creamy and rich enough to make you want to order another before you finish the first. And here’s the kicker — even as the ice melted, the coffee never tasted watered down. It held its flavour all the way through, like a champ.
Final verdict
Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette has 4.4 stars across over 1.7k reviews, and there is no doubt why. With the crusty-yet-soft bread to the juicy, flavour-packed meat and fresh, crunchy veggies, this place knows how to do bánh mì justice. The phở is no afterthought either — rich, comforting, and packed with quality ingredients that’ll have you slurping away even when the sun’s blazing. And that iced coffee? Reminiscent of traditional phin filter coffee and wholly addictive.
If you’re on the hunt for Vietnamese eats that don’t mess around, Bánh Mì Thịt is worth the trip. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Would I come back again? Absolutely.
📍 Address: 543 Geylang Road, Singapore 389498
📞 Phone: 6909 8340
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 10am - 9:30pm
🌐 Website: starbaguettebanhmithit.oddle.me
