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Nguyen Huong Food
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Vietnamese Bakeries, Vietnamese [Edit]
322 Spadina AveToronto, ON M5T 2G2
Neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Kensington Market, Downtown Core
(416) 599-4625
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Nguyen Huong Food
Review Highlights
"Best Vietnamese sandwich (Banh Mi) in the GTA."
(in 16 reviews)
"...pâté and bites of Vietnamese cold cuts, and then there is..."
(in 5 reviews)
"I ordered the Lemongrass Tofu banh mi ($1.75), the BBQ Pork..."
(in 3 reviews)
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Qing H.
North York, ON
12/28/2011
I LOVE this place! this has probably the best tasting sandwich, not just a viet sandwich, I've ever tasted, and it tastes perfect every time.
It used to cost a little cheaper (1.50, i think), and only had one size, but they raised the price and has a large and small sizes now. the large costs about $2.50 and small $2.00. I usually get the large because i like to eat half and save the other half for when i get home. The combination of meat and pickled carrots and radishes and whatever else they put into that sub is delicious. I personally prefer the non-spicy ones, and since it's less in demand, they'll make it on the spot for you, and I don't mind waiting a little. I personally find that the spiciness takes away from the flavour that's uniquely in a bánh mì, but that's just me :D.
If you've never been to this place, just give it a try! For $2.50, you won't lose much even if you don't like it. -
Review from Yvonne T.
5/31/2011 2 photos
Nguyen Huong always brings me on a trip down memory lane. Back in the early 90's when the Chinese population was not invading all the various townships of Toronto - we all had to take that weekly trip down to either East or West Chinatown for all our Chinese grocery needs. This was before TNT, Foody Mart, etc came and robbed the downtown Chinatowns for their business. It was also before we started urban sprawling out into Markham, Richmond Hill... okay, we're everywhere! You can run from us, but you can't hide!
Nguyen Huong is THE original bánh mì (Vietnamese sub) shop of Toronto. I always thought to myself that if I were ever unfortunate enough to have to become homeless *knocks on wood* that I would for sure get my ass to a bánh mì shop. Where else can you get full for $1? Its a perfectly-balanced meal too... Carbs, veggies AND protein. Can't get any better than that.
Well fast forward 10 years now, and due to inflation, unfortunately, you can no longer find a $1 bánh mì. But it is still a reasonable price to pay. To put it into perspective a $2 bánh mì or a $4 sub from Subway? I'll let you do the math!
Other than bánh mì, they sell other Vietnamese goodies ranging from rice noodle rolls, to Vietnamese sweets such as chè dau (sweet soup made with beans, glutinous rice and coconut milk).
I ended up picking up a tray of goi cuon(Vietnamese summer rolls). I got a tray of 4 (2 grilled pork, 2 shrimp) which came with a hoisin-peanut dipping sauce for $3.50. At first glance you'd think this was more of an appetizer... but they are unbelievably filling, not to mention tasty and healthy! Of Asian cuisines, I always found Vietnamese food to be one of the healthier alternatives as they use a lot of bean sprouts, and vegetables in their dishes.
It is establishments like Nguyen Huong that make me wish I worked in closer proximity to Chinatown, so that I could have access to yummy foods for a fraction of the cost!Listed in: The Best of Toronto, Do you hear that bird going…
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Review from Wang Treecy E.
8/12/2011
My family knew the trip back to MA would be rough, therefore we decided to order a whole load of banh mi. I could see why this place has such high reviews. The price is unbeatable, back at home, the price for a sandwich is $2.75+, maybe $3 now. They're sandwiches are good, I ate like 4 while cruising back home. There is a special recipe that they have in it, it is their pepper. It is extremely spicy and good! Do they dry it? I don't know but I wanted to grab the bag of pepper and throw it all in my mouth.
--drools -
Review from William T.
Scarborough, ON
6/22/2011
Fond memories of fat kid joy whenever I passed by this store! I would go in & buy me 2 bánh mì each time.
$2.50 bánh mì or a $5.61 sub from chain sandwich store? 2 bánh mì every time!
There are also rice noodle rolls, & chè dau (dessert).
I left store with 4 large viet subs (bánh mì) for 10 dollars. But not before seeing a hobo pander the cash lady for free food.
Do stop by for their most authentic bánh mì. -
Review from Lynn C.
5/1/2011
Best Vietnamese sandwich (Banh Mi) in the GTA!! I've also tried their other pre-packaged takeouts, including the vermicelli and they are all so delicious.
They've raised the price from $1.50 to $1.75 to $2 now for the small size, but I still go all the time because i don't think i've ever had anything better..haha.
Just go in, tell them small/large, spicy/non-spicy, and come back out with some delicious sandwiches!Listed in: GTA Five Stars, Toronto's Chinatown
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
12/9/2010
If you've been to one Nguyen Huong, you've pretty much seen them all. The design and setup are mostly identical, so if it ain't broken why fix it. There are slight variations that is mainly due to the fact that this Vietnamese Sandwich Shop/Grocer has a different staff on-hand which makes this Banh Mi of mine more SPICY than the other Nguyen Huong I've been to.
I actually had a Lab-rat of a Friend which has never had Banh Mi so I introduced it thinking it's normal spicy until I heard the word "SPICY" coming out only a couple seconds into the bite. I took my bite and it was indeed Heat-inducing of a Vietnamese Sandwich that was perfect for a cool December day in Toronto.
Still the same old over-crunchy rockhard of a Baguette that I don't like from this Nguyen Huong or any other of their many branches.Listed in: T.O.urist in Town, Va Va Viet
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Review from sunnee s.
Toronto, ON
7/6/2011
i might be a little bias towards this place since its where i SORT OF fell head over heels for my bf when we were still little high school students w no money . but looking at all the reviews & ratings, probably not .
we were on a date, exploring chinatown . as we walked by this place, he asks me if ive ever had a viet sub before . when i shake my head, he runs in and grabs 3 of these sandwiches . back then they were $1.25 ? $1.50 ? anyways . one for me, one for him, and one for the homeless man that we walked by earlier . gah . that made me weak in the knees . AND introducing me to this delicious cheapo sandwich that i wish i can have everyday ? hes a keeper . :)
as far as the sandwiches go, this is my fav place to get them in toronto . their spicy is extra spicy . like as in teary, tongue hurting spicy . i love it . if youre in a mood for a sandwich/sub and your tastebuds are in a need for something new, get this . i love the pickled carrots & raddishes in it . OH NOO, i love the cilantro more ! i love love LOVE cilantro . fortunately, my bf HATES cilantro . he picks them out from his and gives them all to me . yay . we're so perfect together, my bf, viet subs & i . :) -
Review from James M.
2/14/2011
First banh mi I ever had was at Nguyen Huong. I had no idea how to order or what was in it. Thankfully the woman behind the counter realized I was drowning and handed me a sandwich so I could leave with my dignity intact.
The roll, as I have come to know, was perfect. Flaky on the outside and soft as can be on the inside. Crumbs littered my shirt after each bite. The mystery meat pate was as good as any I've had since. Still the most balanced banh mi I've ever had. If I make it back I would like to try the bbq pork version.
And for $1.75 it is a pretty unbeatable value. -
Review from Thompson L.
6/5/2011
Not to be confused with Banh Mi & Che Cali (next door)...this is the better Banh mi shop. It used to be much cheaper ($1 CAD) but still not bad at $2CAD a pop (compared to NYC anyways). I also like their Pate biscuit.
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Review from Peter K.
9/16/2010 1 photo
Talk about stiff competition right next to each other, but the banh mi here is slightly better than next doors.
BBQ Pork Sandwich:
The bread is nice and crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside. Their pork is sweet and savory with a non-tooth-breaking texture. Full of bright flavors, this sandwich is a great quick meal for $2.00. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
10/16/2009
Oh Banh Mi Yellow Sign. I love your banh mi, but you need to step up the variety and quality on your other goods. Ima-breaka-breaka down!
+++PROS+++
1. Top quality banh mi, really consistent, likely the best in Toronto!
2. Bread keeps better than it's neighbor at Banh Mi Green Sign (especially if toaster oven'ing it the day after)
3. Nem Nuong (Vietnamese sausage) is actually in sausage form, not that flat garbage you sometimes see
4. They have that deep fried bean/shrimp muffin thing (excellent crispy served with fish sauce!), a rarity
---CONS---
1. Less variety than its neighbor
2. Portion sizes (non-banh mi) is visibly smaller
3. Busier than next door
4. No spots to eat in store
5. No hot foods
So really, this place is quite good. I give the edge to it's neighbor because of the cons of this place, particularly the variety. In reality though, I'd go to 'Yellow' for banh mi then walk over to 'Green' for everything else.
A TOONIE & A LOONIE RECOMMENDATION: stick with their banh mi ($1.75-$2.25) -
Review from Amie T.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2010
I would give it 5 stars, but I have nothing to compare it to. I know there are 3 bahn mi stores on this dundas/spadina corner, but this is the first one I have been to and I can't get myself to go to another.
I've tried the lemongrass tofu, shredded chicken, bbq pork & their cold cuts sandwich. They're all delicious - the tofu one surprisingly so.
I believe they speak Cantonese there, as well as Vietnamese. I'm a second generation Chinese, so I like to speak English as to not embarrass myself. Here is how you order:
you: one tofu and one chicken please (or whatever it is you want)
the lady behind the counter: *repeats your order back.* spicy?
you: YES.
I'm always on the look out for ways to nom nom nom for under $5. This qualifies beautifully. -
Review from Karl R.
10/3/2009 2 photos
There's two banh mi places side by side. This place and "Che Cali" over to the left. I tried both in a head to head and Nguyen Huong came out on top.
Signage is all in Vietnamese and you'll find yourself a bit out of your comfort zone upon walking in. Do the white guy thing and start flapping your arms around, singing something from Glibert & Sullivan, and eventually you'll be gently guided to the sandwich counter on the North side of the store.
Best I can figure there's a small and large sandwich. You can have it spicy or mild. I tried the mild pork large. $2.25 with tax. Those into a footlong at Subway might want to order two... bringing you in at $4.50.
Yeah. $4.50. Two street dogs will run you $5-$6 in Toronto.
There's no seating, as others have noted, but you could walk south to one of the Chinese almost-malls and munch it there. Or go east on Dundas to the Villiage on the Grange and mow it in their foodcourt.Listed in: Eating for about $5
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Review from wendy c.
4/26/2010
Probably the best Banh Mi (or Vietnamese sub sandwich) place in GTA.. It's been around for a long time...with consistent quality.
Just thinking of it makes me drool, in every bite you get the light and crispy baguette, a smearing of house-made liver pâté and bites of Vietnamese cold cuts, and then there is tangy-sweetness of daikon/carrot pickle, cilantro, and chili pepper (if you choose "spicy").
I've always order a large, but I think the small is of the same size just less meat/fillings.
It's a bakery / food mart, so no place to sit down, but there are plenty of places nearby to grab a drink and a seat or eat it like street food. -
Review from Tony C.
8/7/2008 3 photos
Holy batman... can we say MOB (that's MOB, not FOB) on the weekends? http://tinyurl.com/5zo33h
Cheapest banh mi in N. America. CAN1.50 for the dac biet (in '06). DOLLAR FITTY? You out of your mind? And they use pate? Mind-boggling.
We chose this as a mini banh-mi comparo while in Toronto. The other contestant was the familiar Banh Mi & Che Cali joint http://www.yelp.ca/biz... , appropriately right next door. What I loved about that Toronto banh mi tasting: Subway-esque assembly lines behind glass counters. Total transparency, immediate reaction & correction if they fubar your sammy.
And the winner? Nguyen Huong: "chewy bread, tangy slices of sour pork, more pate, ad nausea" (verbatim from post on http://www.lthforum.com ) -
Review from Sanzo L.
Scarborough, ON
5/4/2011
The only place that I get my Banh Mi from each time that I go there. It's really good. One of the workers there actually memorized my order from the previous times that I have gone there to buy Banh Mi.
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Review from Zach F.
11/17/2009
I am glad to add this little Vietnamese store to my list of favorite banh mi sandwiches. I will surely make this a staple eatery upon future visits to Toronto. It's a no-brainer, especially when you consider the value Nguyen Huong Food offers up!
Be prepared to feel a bit out of place if you don't speak Vietnamese. But just walk up to the glass counter... State what you want... and watch the magic unfold.
I ordered the Lemongrass Tofu banh mi ($1.75), the BBQ Pork banh mi ($2.25), and a can of Coca-Cola ($1)... for a whopping total of $5. Are you kidding me!?! That's so cheap for the amount of food you get.
I hadn't planned on eating both sandwiches, but I ended up eating it all. It was great. The bread was a crispy baguette. The carrots and cucumbers tasted great. As always, the cilantro makes the sandwich. The lemongrass tofu was better than the bbq pork, but both were good.
This shop doesn't make the best banh mi I've ever tried, but it ranks right up there. However, they are the best banh mi I've had for that price range. -
Review from Sam C.
3/21/2010
Have a hankering for a tasty little Vietnamese Sub? Then this is the spot, the only spot in downtown that really does it right.
Vietnamese Subs aka banh mi are french influenced sandwiches (mainly the baguette like bread and pate) used along with traditional Vietnamese cold cuts, cilantro, carrots, and radish that make for an inexpensive lunch. Choose between spicy or not - small or large, $1.75 for small and $2.25 for a large.
The small little shop also has other varieties of Vietnamese pastries, spring rolls and other small dishes but the subs get all my attention. -
Review from Stephen L.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2010
OK...this is outrageous.
Nguyen Huong Foods is known for their Bánh mì or Vietnamese sandwiches.
What exactly is a Bánh mì or Vietnamese sandwich? Well, a Bánh mì is a tasty fusion by-product of French Colonialism, taking a French Baguette, adding in rice flour (historically to cut the cost of imported wheat flour) to create a tasty, airy bun with a crispy crust, and adding in a slathering of a sort of mayonnaise spread, some pate, cilantro, chilis, daikon and carrot and a portion of Vietnamese cold cuts.
From the Austin Chronicle:
"France ruled Indochina for about 100 years and introduced sandwiches to Vietnam. In the old days, the French would go to their delis to dine on wheat baguette sandwiches stuffed with pâté, sausages, butter, cornichons, onion, and radish. As time went on, these "French sandwiches" (bánh mì Tay) became a status symbol for Vietnamese who put on airs and wanted to be considered French, causing popular cheaper copies to spring up around the country."
They used to sell these for $1.50...then the price went up to $1.75.
OUTRAGEOUS. Outrageously good value...and one of the best on-the-run-buns you can find.
This is approaching $2.00 for a delicious, tasty, fresh lunch that gives you change on a toonie!!!
BUT, that's not all, if you like vermicelli dishes with grilled pork, sausage and spring rolls, salad rolls or other asian take out goodies, you will find a huge selection here all priced under $4...a tasty tasty bargain that would find you paying over twice that amount if you wanted to sit down and eat it at a resto up the street.
This is ALL super high value tasty stuff...and really makes you wonder how you could look at that brown bag the same way ever again. -
Review from Kim L.
2/27/2009
The cheapest banh mi I've ever had in North America! This place is on par with the ones in Orange County, CA aka. Little Saigon and the mecca of Vietnamese food in America.
I stumbled upon this place on my second visit to Toronto. I was determined to find some tasty Vietnamese food that included pho and banh mi because I had heard tons of great reviews about it. I got the banh mi dac biet ("the special"). They packed it with meat, cilantro, jalapenos, pickled radish & carrots, and tons of mayo and pate (my favorite part!). The first bite of my sandwich was like a taste of heaven... it was that good!
In addition to the banh mi, they sell other prepared Vietnamese food. I got some nem (cured meat). Tasted just like my grandma used to make them when I was a kid. -
Review from lole d.
Toronto, ON
12/12/2010
The only place I buy my banh mi from!
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Review from Lisa Y.
Toronto, ON
10/25/2009
Only place I go for Vietnamese subs. The staff are pretty friendly. If you can't or don't want to handle the spice, let them know. I love that I can sub the Vietnamese sausages for the cold cuts ( or get both). Its oh so good
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Review from Jeff b.
7/25/2010
This is one of my favourite places in Toronto. It is a mandatory eat, I even bring a few back to Ohio. The BBQ pork is the FCUKing bomb. Spicy chili peppers are the best. The spring rolls are the bomb.I Want to try the eggs and potatoes one day. Have not been to TO in a year or so : ( I so miss this place. The sandwich Pequenos Kebleros (Keebler Elves) make everything fresh and try to make you really happy. I customize my sandwich and they tell me it 25 or 50 cents more, like that would dissuade me. I think if I lived in TO this could be almost a daily thing as it is probably cheaper than cooking!
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Review from Warren L.
2/7/2010
One of the many great things about Toronto is that while New York only has a few places that offer Bahn Mi, there are at least a couple dozen in Toronto. This is supposed to be one of the best and my experience supports that. Read the other reviews for more detail but I particularly loved the Lemongrass Tofu that shows how soy foods can be better than meat. An incredible deal.
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Review from CE C.
9/21/2010
Overrated. We really cant decide what was better, this place or its neighbor. They were both not impressive. We will not return to Toronto to have banh mi again.
