BANHWICH CAFE
Hoppen Hierarchy: ★★⭑
District: Lincoln
Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches & Boba Teas
Perfect For: Casual Dining; Takeout; Lunch
Standout Dishes: Koren BBQ; Korean Bulgogi
I developed my affinity for Banhwich Cafe as a student at the University of Nebraska because it was near campus and I could get two enormous sandwiches for $10, satisfying both my massive appetite and my not so massive wallet.
But even after I graduated and got an income, I kept coming back. Because as good as the prices at Banhwich are, the flavors are even better.
Located just north of 27th and Vine, Banhich Cafe draws its name from Viatnamese banh mi sandwiches, which stuff meats and veggies inside a baguette. The restaurant offers 20 unique sandwiches, ranging from grilled beef to Chinese BBQ, teriyaki chicken, meatballs, pork belly, and more.
Each can be ordered in the traditional baguette, a croissant, or lettuce wraps. I highly recommend sticking with the first option. The lettuce wraps are a bit unwieldy and don’t hold sauces well, and they can quickly become a mess.
And while the croissant treatment is tasty, the sandwiches are smaller and the bread falls apart a bit. It’s best to stick with the baguette, even if it is a bit heavy on the carbs.
There is some indoor and outdoor seating, but it’s more of a to-go joint in my book. There is probably enough room to seat 20-30 people, but I’ve only eaten at the location a few times. The restaurant is long and skinny, giving the in-dining experience a cramped feeling. However, Banhwich makes ordering very convenient; you can request your food to be ready at any time and they’ll have it ready.
I’ve probably tried 3/4 of the menu, and all the sandwiches are good. A few personal favorites:
- Korean BBQ: a wonderful blend of sweet and heat, the marinated beef is wonderful, and the spicy mayo and kimchi add just the right amount of spice.
- Korean Bulgogi: the sliced ribeye is really flavorful, especially when paired with the sugary bulgogi sauce.
- Vietnamese Pork Meatball: the meatballs are flavorful as they are large after cooking in a light tomato sauce, and there’s just a hint of soy sauce.
Each baguette is about 8 inches launched and is packed with ingredients. And each sandwich costs between $5 and $6.25. That’s insane value for this quantity and quality.
I’m personally not a huge fan of bubble teas, but Banhwich Cafe has you covered if that’s your thing. The restaurant offers 15 different flavors, mostly fruit-based.
With its ease of ordering and quick pick-up, Banhwich Cafe is a great grab-and-go sandwich option that offers more than the traditional cold cuts. It’s not a perfect restaurant by any means, but if you’re in the mood for a creative, tasty sandwich without breaking the bank, this is a good place to start.
