About six months ago, right after my total knee replacement surgery, I noticed fellow Elite Friend Donna O's delicious review of the newly opened Bánh Mì Paradise in the Sam Sung Plaza on Ke'eaumoku Street. Donna's review made me salivate for the grilled betel nut leaf-wrapped beef rolls, or bò lá lốt, which I've eaten atop rice vermicelli noodles and as a side dish and craved for over 30 years since trying them with my eldest sister at a Vietnamese restaurant in San Jose, California, and more recently during a trip to Southeast Asian countries. Now, the opening of Bánh Mì Paradise on O'ahu finally has its FIRST Vietnamese restaurant offering this unique and tasty betel nut leaf beef wrap in a bánh mì, along with other popular sandwiches and fresh fruit beverages. Walking into this small sandwich shop in the Sam Sung Plaza, I knew that we'd order our sandwiches to-go because both tables seating two or three were taken. The woman at the counter greeted us with a welcoming smile. As we entered, she pointed to the menu behind her while flipping over a menu on the counter showing their fresh fruit beverages. My husband ordered the Crispy Pork Sandwich (Bánh Mì Thịt Heo Quay), and I asked for the Betel Nut Leaf Wrapped Beef Sandwich (Bánh Mì Bò Lá Lốt). We paid and waited outside while another woman in the kitchen prepared our orders. Within a few minutes, we were notified to pick up our order and hurried home. Both sandwiches were served warm and wrapped in foil. As we unwrapped the sandwiches, we felt the perfect Vietnamese-style baguette, with its light, crisp, crunchy, and thin crust that doesn't cut your mouth when biting into the sandwich, unlike the denser, harder crust in traditional French baguettes. Also, the baguette's interior was light and airy. Upon opening the betel nut leaf beef wrap sandwich (Bánh Mì Bò Lá Lốt), the interior of the bread was airy and soft and stuffed with five betel nut wrapped beef rolls, a schmear of mayonnaise, fresh cut cucumber slices, and accented with pickled carrot and turnip julienne (đồ chua) and a hefty dose of refreshing cilantro. The beef rolls were juicy and well-seasoned with garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and fish sauce, and possibly some other herbs or spices like cloves or cardamom. The betel nut leaf had a slight peppery, bitter flavor that complemented the seasoned ground beef. I found myself chuckling as I suggested to my husband that I'd make this bánh mì my go-to, but I was concerned about the health benefits or side effects of eating betel nut leaves. $12.60 My husband's Crispy Pork Sandwich (Bánh Mì Thịt Heo Quay) was equally impressive, stuffed with crispy, bubbly, roasted-skin pork belly pieces, cucumber slices, pickled carrot and turnip julienne (đồ chua), and cilantro. I'm not sure whether there was any mayonnaise in the sandwich, since I didn't get to taste it, but my husband wolfed it down soon after I took the pictures. He said that every bite of the sandwich filled his mouth with flavorful, crispy pork, fresh, refreshing vegetables, and airy bread. He said this sandwich is his new go-to. $12.60 We're glad to have tried this tasty, affordable, and friendly eatery and will include it in our lunch or early dinner rotation. read more

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I gave this place to try since I usually patronize another Vietnamese restaurant in the vicinity but it was closed today. I was extremely excited to try a new banh mi place. I chose the tofu one. I have no pictures unfortunately as I ate it in the car driving being so hungry. I have to say the bread is excellent. Sometimes it can be crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside but crispy where it rips the inside of your mouth. This was not the case at all. It was less crispy and more soft and chewy. I was extremely happy with the bread. My only complaint is that the food was stacked so I did not get a bite of everything in one bite. I either had a bite of tofu or a bite of the vegetables. It would've been nice to have it a little bit more balanced. Also I would've liked a little bit more of vegetables. I felt they kind of skimped on that. Service was just OK. I was the only customer and it took a bit for me to get my food. Lot's of chatting going on despite the parking attendant telling me that they make a sandwich pretty fast. When I go again? Sure. But I do have other favorites. However, that bread would have me coming back again if they put a little bit more filling. read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I tried the beef wrapped in betel leaf bánh mì and WOW -- this one is seriously special. The beef was incredibly flavorful, juicy, and slightly smoky, with that signature aromatic kick from the betel leaf that makes each bite stand out. It's not your typical bánh mì filling, and that's exactly why I loved it. The French bread was perfectly crusty on the outside and soft inside, holding everything together without getting soggy. The pickled veggies added the right amount of crunch and tang, balancing the richness of the beef. Fresh herbs and sauce tied it all together beautifully. If you want something beyond the usual grilled pork or cold cuts, this is 100% the move. Unique, fragrant, and super satisfying. I'd come back just for this sandwich alone. read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Delivery only Review: Excellent quality BahnMi sandos prepared and delivered quickly. We have tried the Chicken sando, Tofu Sando and Roast Pork sando. All them are winners with Roast Pork being my personal fave. Love that fatty bits and crispy skin. I also appreciate that BMP is not afraid of some heat! The papaya salad is laced with Thai chiles that really bring a punch to the party and compliments that tangy sweet dressing. BMP is a great addition to the collection of Bahn Mi places in Honolulu and I would place among the best of the bunch. read more

Stopped by the Samsung Plaza location and tried two sandwiches: the Betel Leaf Bánh Mì and the House Special. I've had betel leaf-wrapped beef (bò lá lốt) by itself in Vietnamese restaurants before, but never inside a bánh mì. Very unique and delicious! The betel leaves add a subtle herbal aroma and nutty flavor that pair perfectly with the smoky grilled beef and crisp baguette. Also enjoyed the House Special Bánh Mì, a more traditional version with giò lụa (Vietnamese ham), pork belly, and their house-made pâté. The mix of butter, mayo, and pickled daikon and carrots brought all the flavors home. The bread was warm fresh and flaky. Nothing more satisfying than biting into a warm flaky banh mi bun! Just a heads-up, the jalapeño slices are thick, so tread lightly if you can't take the heat. They have two locations -- one in Waikiki and this one at Samsung Plaza on Ke'eaumoku St. Note: prices are a bit higher in Waikiki. Parking at Samsung Plaza allows a 20-minute grace period, which is super convenient. Happy Eating! read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Grilled Betel Leaf Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Really good chicken sandwich and it's affordable. Parking is free for 15 min then you need validation. Service was good and ambiance was nice. I will be back since this was one of the best chicken bahn mi sandwiches I have eaten. read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Chicken bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Takeout lunch from Honolulu, Hawaii... I saw that Donna O. was First to Review for Bahn Mi Street Cafe... and she raved about it. I had to see for myself... Located at the Samsung Plaza, I drove into the shared parking lot and told the attendant that I was just going to grab something from Bahn Mi Cafe. I pointed at the sign and asked if I could park for free... he nodded "yes"! Yay! Thank you! Inside, the cozy café is on the warm side because the door is left open. There were two tables with two chairs each - for dining-in, but it's not air-conditioned... I ordered the #1 and #2 from the menu. Both sandwiches were freshly made by the cashier. I couldn't tell which Bahn Mi was the Special and which one was the Roast Pork becausethey were in the same package. My sister and I guessed that the Roast Pork was the tastier sandwich. I looked inside of the sandwiches first and removed the sliced jalapeños. I liked the pickled veggies and the soft bread! My sister enjoyed this lunch - she kept the leftovers for her dinner! read more

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Omg, this place was so legit and so good! I was so amazed by the crispy but not hard yet soft bread and the delicious flavors of both of my banh mi sandwiches. First I ate 1/2 of the grilled betel leaf wrapped beef! It was absolutely delicious! It was out of this world and I don't think anyone else offers it. Best banh mi I ever had. My new favorite! Even the pieces on my crispy roast pork banh mi had so much flavor even had 3 pieces on 1/2 of the banh mi and it was so tasty and flavorful. Right amount of saltiness and oil on the pork! The drink I had was called House special! It was made with sour sop, strawberry and passion fruit and that was so refreshing! Never had a drink with Sour sop inside! Few menu on the items but it was really good. This location is in the Sam Sung Plaza across Pate Vietnamese Cuisine. There's one in Waikiki on Kuhio Ave but the man who answered the phone at that location said different menu and owner, although the lady who helped me at the Keeaumoku location said same owner. I called the Waikiki location because I couldn't get through to the Keeaumoku location since they were on the phone. Whether or not they are the same owner or just have the same Restaurant's name, it's easier for me to get my banh mi from here! Service was fast in making the sandwiches! Please try them out. Everyone has different opinions but I just loved my sandwiches! Yummy! I'll be back for more! Wow! read more

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Banh Mi is it... I was just so full of hope but was a bit disappointed with what I got. I've been craving sandwiches lately and looking for a spot and Donna O found this new spot in Ke'eaumoku Plaza and since it was Sunday street parking was free so I was able walk right in for a quick peek and see what they have and what a lovely and minimalistic vibe as it's obvious you place your order at the service counter and is nice that they have a couple of tables for you to enjoy your bite right there. As I glanced at their menu and saw that they have three different types of Banh Mi majority is obvious as the name along with pictures right beside is almost clear of what are the difference with exception of the "House special sandwich" so I asked what it was and with a slight accent I only caught pork and pate but no much besides that so with that hesitation I decided on the "Crispy roast pork sandwich". I took my sandwich home to enjoy and as it's filled with all the usual you'd find in a banh mi like the pickled daikon and carrots slices of cucumber but to my surprise as I pulled the bread apart was to see slices of jalapeños which isn't the normal ingredient I'd expect and as I was sharing half with mom that would've been tragic if she bit into it after I discovered it I took it off but the lingering affect still remains. I've experienced a lot of this with new places as their menu doesn't have enough description with the item along with ingredients. Not usual a fan of banh mi and the bread was too chewy as every bite was a struggle and the toppings went everywhere if it was slightly toasted I think it would've been a much better and cleaner bite the roast pork was very chewy and didn't really impressed me very much. Thank you! read more

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First time trying this place and it did not disappoint! Very authentic. The banh mi bread was fresh. I ordered the Ba la Lot banh mi, crispy pork, and the combination. The Ba la Lot was perfectly seasoned and so flavorful. The crispy pork tasted homemade and crisp to perfection, and the combination was so delicious with the pate and the butter mixture was so creamy! Very reasonable for the size of the banh mi. I would definitely come back! read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is the best and most affordable Vietnamese banh mi spot near Ala Moana. Their house-made baguette is incredible--the texture is perfectly crispy on the outside and light inside. I find myself coming back regularly to grab one. The coffee was a bit too sweet for my taste, but that's probably true to traditional Vietnamese condensed milk coffee. I'm already craving that crispy baguette again. read more

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For those of you haven't try this shop yet , this Vietnamese sandwich shop is a must try. Sandwiches here I will say you can't find it anywhere on this island. It's the best banh mi sandwich by far, services are excellent too. Only few tables inside seating. I would recommend take out. read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This hole in the wall banh mi place is legit. The aunties there are so nice. The banh mi sandwich are soft, crunchy, & so tasty. The drinks are so refreshing. The sugar cane juice is fresh, mango smoothie is delicious & the sour sop drink is a must try if you love sour sop! Brings back so much memories of Vietnamese street food or when I would buy banh mi on the streets in Vietnam. Highly recommend! read more

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Today I got to try the Beef Sandwich (Banh Mi) and it was great. The worker was very friendly with lots of smiles and it just made it better. read more

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The Tofu sandwich was heavy Yes, it was a huge sandwich! I've never had this huge Banh Mi in this area! And it was yummy and it had lots of Tofu and vegetables! I love it! read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Tofu sandwich - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is a tiny place full of big flavor! I had the tofu banh mi and it was fantastic! The service is very friendly and helpful. I will be sure to go back to this place whenever I'm in Honolulu. read more

First time and ordered crispy pork banh Mi and Chicken Banh Mi. Both were delicious and the French roll was so soft and crispy outside. The meat was,generous with fresh pickled.diakon and carrots with nice slice of cucumber. There was special red.sauce also I side. Definately will return. Free parking with validation. Note the park stalls are tight and handicap.stalls are in back. Located across Sidorak. read more

My favorite sandwich so I have my go to spots. Fresh ingredients, competitive pricong and adequate portions but bread was a tad hard and meats needed more flavorful. read more

The menu has expanded since rebranding from Banh Mi Street Cafe. I've tried the crispy pork, special, and chicken sandwiches and they're all good--especially the pork one. The chicken one has shredded saucy chicken, not chunks of lemongrass chicken line at Pate or Le's, but it's still good. The bread is nice and crispy. The sandwiches all seem to have jalapeños so if you don't want heat, ask them to take them out. read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Fresh crispy bread, freshly assembled and as good as it gets! Small, not fancy, very focused on delivering a great Banh Mi experience. If you'r looking for an easy, inexpensive and savory meal this is your place. read more

The broth for bun soup is very good. I like it better than pho when it comes to banh mi paradise. Service is good, and they don't close after lunch hours, stay open till late. read more

Summer Rolls and chicken sandwich were delicious. With little more basil would be a winner! read more

Although the auntie who works there was nice, the Vietnamese coffee was mostly ice, and I could make better at home. Got two bahn mi, roast pork and special. While the bread was crispy, the meats were lukewarm. You can tell that she had them prepared in advance. Roast pork was not crispy, but the fat on the meat was very tender. Price per bahn mi was not bad, size of sandwich was pretty good. Not the best bahn mi, but okay for what you pay. read more

Food was PHENOMENAL!!! Service was great!! Went to get a film roll at Rainbow's and parked in the lot. I saw this place and had to try it- best decision I made today, I'll be coming here for banh mi's every time. As someone who ranks Banh mi around the island, this is the best one!!! read more

Banh Mi Paradise - Vietnamese Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii