I have lived in Durham for 6 years and I cannot believe that I hadn’t been to Banh’s until this week. We decided to try it after seeing good reviews. Trust those reviews because I regret not trying it before.
We got greeted by a sweet lady who took our orders and brought us our drinks. She was very nice and the service was 10/10! The food prep was quick because it wasn’t crowded but many people came to get takeout in the meantime. I got sweet and sour soup and Kung Pao chicken with white rice, it was out of this world!! My husband got the sesame chicken, it was delicious. Btw, all this food cost under $25. She also didn’t let us put the tip in our credit card swipe, so we tipped in cash - so I recommend carrying cash for tipping here. Please go try it, I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
Summer
Dec 12, 2022
5
We ordered kongpao chicken and sweet and sour chicken. Averaging about $8 each dish. Probably the most best value in town. Don't know how they make money by such a price😅 Maybe they care more about people then business. Both dishes tasted good. Sweet and sour is very crispy and kongpao is flavourful. Anyways. It's owned by a small family business. They are super welcoming and courteous. Lunch time was fully packed.
Xi Liu
Nov 5, 2022
5
Definitely recommend this place. Now they also accept credit card (not only cash). They have specialties for Wednesdays and Saturdays. The food are really good and so does the price. It’s also so friendly for vegetarians.
Colin O'Connor
Oct 11, 2022
5
The Ginger Chicken is a must have, it is a top five item in Durham. It is a small no-frills place where all the dishes are good and generous portions. Love this place.
melanie stokes
Aug 31, 2022
5
I’m absolutely obsessed with the entire experience here! The food is affordable and tastes phenomenal! The staff are sooo sweet! Has the family own vibe which I love!
You will likely pay between $6 and $12 dollars for your entire meal! If I could I would give 6 stars!!
Nguyen Nguyen
Aug 17, 2022
5
Authentic and tasty Vietnamese food at super affordable price! Some of them are served often in family meals in Vietnam. You will not find this type of cooking around the area.
Ryder Sammons
Aug 7, 2022
5
The Vegetarian Plate on Wednesdays and Saturdays is incredible. Best Tofu I've had in my life! The iced tea was also fantastic!
Alicia B
Aug 2, 2022
5
Beyond wonderful. A Durham institution. Everyone who passes through the city should eat here at least twice– once, to get the sesame chicken and once to try some of their Vietnamese specials (served on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
The sesame chicken is so good. By so good, I mean a religious experience. They also do sesame tofu, if you're vegetarian. The sesame chicken is shatteringly crispy, super juicy, and flavored wonderfully. They don't list sesame chicken on the menu on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but if you ask, they'll make it (as long as they aren't too busy). It comes with carrots and broccoli stir-fried in the same sauce as the chicken and they're always cooked to perfection– tender with a crisp bite. The chicken itself is always large chunks of high quality chicken. The portions are generous as well– I always have left over sesame chicken. When I'm too lazy to transfer it to another container and microwave it, I'll eat it straight out of the fridge and it's still perfect and crispy.
If you have to order only one Vietnamese item, I'd recommend the banh mi (only on Saturdays) or the hu tieu. Their noodle soups use the same broth, which is the type to cool to a jelly when you refrigerate the leftovers. Naturally, the gel texture indicates a wonderful, heartwarming broth. Of course, the hu tieu reheats wonderfully. It comes with ample toppings, like duck, ground pork, shrimp, caramelized onions (a wonderful touch), celery, scallions, and peanuts. Don't expect the meats to be the most succulent, tender, and high quality pieces, though I don't mind it at all. Even though it's a steaming bowl of noodle soup, it's perfect for all weather. There must be some sort of argument to make with fighting hot weather with hot foods, right?
The banh mi is vegetarian and always served overflowing with tofu and eggplant. Be warned that they sell out by lunch! I understand that some people have an aversion to eggplant, but depending on what culture you're from, you probably haven't tried eggplant like this! The only downside is that they're hard to eat from being so generously stuffed. The includes shredded pickled carrots and sprigs of cilantro. The bread is perfect.
The line does get pretty long when groups come in and all order sesame chicken, but the food comes out quickly. I think they only have three or four workers, but they're all very nice.
100% worth visiting.
Bonnie Williams
Jul 16, 2022
5
This is absolutely one of the greatest places I've ever been. I never write reviews, but eating the banh mi here is a religious experience. They only sell them on Saturday and frequently sell out before 2pm because it is THAT GOOD. Locals to Durham come here all the time and so should you.
Peg Pinkman
Jul 6, 2022
5
Always a good day to be at Bahn’s, especially Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ordered the vegetable plate and it tasted as good as it did the very first time I had it. Fresh vegetables and love the tofu and sauce and the sticky rice. Very generous portions and at a very reasonable price.
Andrew Stark
Jun 14, 2022
5
A Durham institution! Go in Wednesday and Saturday where the menu expands to include more traditional Vietnamese fare. I love the fried tofu and veggie plate.
e
Jun 9, 2022
5
so good and the prices are very reasonable. the portions are extremely good for the price. this is my new favorite place. ask what the specials are and order from there
