Bami Express Review: Cosy Hidden Gem Selling Vietnamese Banh Mi At $5 And Below

I’d initially slated to review another Vietnamese hidden gem down at Hougang but literally found out the day before the shoot that the stall had closed down for good. So you can bet I was crossing my fingers when I discovered Bami Express online and headed down to Tanjong Pagar Plaza to give it a try.

Per to the menu at the storefront, spring rolls were – unfortunately – temporarily unavailable; but other than that, the stall looked very much open and ready for business. Hidden Bahn Mi Gem In The CBD Food at Bami Express The first thing I tried was the Bami Saigon ($5) .

I acquired the sandwich in a set, together with a cup of Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($1.50) , so the whole thing ended up costing $6 . The Bami Saigon was stuffed with thin, long slices of pickled daikon (radish) and carrot, pork floss, pork belly, cucumbers, parsley and cha lua (Vietnamese pork sausage). My mother explained it was beef pho, but she didn’t tell me she’d finished all the beef in it and left behind only the cha lua .

The pork floss as well helped contribute a tinge of sweetness to the otherwise savoury sandwich. As I bit down, the feeling of my teeth breaking past the toasty crust into the soft white bread was super shiok . The same elements were included in this sandwich, except the cha lua and pork belly were replaced with boneless chunks of BBQ chicken meat.

The chicken was nothing spectacular – a little on the stiff side, though I liked how it was kind of smoky. It was as I was eating this banh mi that I noticed a creamy, tangy sauce slathered over the chicken.

There were too many flavours going on in the Bami Saigon that I failed to notice this sauce inside earlier. Curious, I decided to ask the soft-spoken Vietnamese store owner who prepared my sandwiches. ‘ It’s our homemade Vietnamese mayonnaise ,” she informed me kindly.

As for the Vietnamese Iced Coffee which came with my Bami Saigon… I have to admit I enjoyed it! This Vietnamese dark roast coffee was different – sweet and rich, with a bitter aftertaste.

I suppose it also helped that the weather was extremely humid that day, and a cold drink made things a little less torturous. Ambience at Bami Express I’d forecast the store to be small, but apart from a sandwich-making station, there was a kitchen at the back, and a storeroom to boot.

They even offered to adjust my table so I wouldn’t have to sit near the harsh glare of the sun. As it can get pretty hot in the afternoon, do request to have the shades brought down!

The verdict It was a hearty meal, partly since I got to try both sandwiches.