I had the chicken and broccoli with the satay sauce. It tasted fine until the last quarter of the meal. There was too much sauce so the food became very salty, and the plate was soaked through. (They use paper plate) The service was nice. The place isn't huge, there are around 7 tables so the people behind me were worried that they would have to sit outside with all the tables being taken. read more

Banh's Cuisine - Chicken broccoli with satay sauce. - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great service and delicious, reasonably priced food. They have a small core menu with a rotation of specials, so there's a good variety. I had the Mien Ga, and it was delicious. Banh's is a rare combination of good food, local ownership, and low prices, and it feels good to support this business. read more

The loveliest Vietnamese aunties in town. A must try on Wednesday and Saturday if you want to try affordable Vietnamese dishes!

Hole in the wall, unremarkable looking in every way. But you don't go for the atmosphere. The food is fantastic. A solid twice as good as whatever other Chinese take out you are accustomed to. I can only assume it's because the Banh's owners actually care. Ginger Chicken has real raw ginger shreds on top and tastes fresh & healthy! Already craving more... read more

Speaking as someone who is not a huge fan of tofu, I have to say that their vegetarian plate is one of my favorite dishes anywhere. I think it's a black bean sauce on the tofu - outstanding! read more

After an all day Infusion treatment at Duke, starving because I left my lunch in the car, and feeling the need to eat before the 2 hour drive to S.C., i searched for a place that was close to Duke and open at 4:30. This place appeared to fit the bill. After a 6 minute drive, I initially walked by it. Curb appeal and ambiance are not part of the equation. It's all about the food--simply excellent and dirt cheap. I had the chicken and vegetables. The chicken was tender and expertly seasoned, the vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the rice was light and fluffy. Granted, I live in a culinary wasteland, nevertheless this meal proves that you can get good, inexpensive Asian food even in a Carolina. read more

Sooooooo delicious!!!!! Thank u again!!! Great taste and the meat was tender! Wonder job!!! I will be back.

Tiny, hole in the wall joint but definitely a place you shouldn't miss! Came here for a quick dinner and decided to order one of the specials, the sesame chicken. Normally I would NEVER order this dish (since it's so Americanized) but the ladies working there recommended it and I immediately trusted them for some reason. Sure enough, it was absolutely delicious - crispy, flavorful, just the right amount of sauce, and came with plenty of rice and broccoli. My friends ordered the ginger chicken and basil chicken specials and also liked their dishes. Note: CASH ONLY! I'll be back soon. read more

I'd impatiently waited for a Wednesday or Saturday when Phil & I were free to try the notorious Viet specials at Banh's. Walking distance to pho in the Triangle? Sounds too good to be true. And unfortunately it is. The shop is pretty small with some indoor and outdoor seating. Very plain. No music playing, even. And cash only. Most of the patrons we saw coming and going got their goods to-go. The woman behind the counter (owner, I presume) was very sweet. They were out of a mung bean/banana leaf dish I'd really wanted and am nostalgic about; so we tried the curry chicken turnover instead. He ordered the vegetarian special (tofu and black-bean sauce) and I got the pho. The dishes were around $6 or 7 which is reasonable. But it was a crying shame! Not a shadow of cilantro or bean sprouts or jalapenos. There were green onions. But otherwise, it was almost like eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup that had tofu, a single mushroom cap, some bok choy, and julienned carrots. I had to load it up with hot sauce to make it more interesting. It just was not very authentic -- seemed to be cutting corners, really. That said, I did enjoy the bite I took of Phil's fried tofu in black bean sauce. The sticky rice was also pretty good. It came with a spring roll. And the helpings appeared to be very generous. At the end of the day, I have to give it two stars because I've certainly had better in the area. I think this place earns fame for being a cheap college-town meal that's an alternative to pizza and subs. But when the craving for Viet food strikes, I'll be hopping in the car for a broader menu and better eats. read more

Banh's Cuisine - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Loved the food, loved the smells, loved the adorable lady that I assume is the owner. Did not really love that the sink for the bathroom is communal and in full view of the other restaurant patrons, but c'est la vie. Went on a Wednesday to try the vegetarian specials and wasn't disappointed. For $6, I got what seemed like a whole block of delicious fried tofu with black bean sauce vegetables and sticky rice. Partner in food-crime Susan Z. got their shrimp special for the night which was light and refreshing. Quick tips: bring cash, and go before 6:30pm if you don't want to wait in a line that stretches outside the tiny place. That's the sign of a good food joint. read more

Banh's Cuisine - shrimp special - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Banh's cuisine reminds me more of a typical (authentic) Chinese take-out place - you know, one of those places where you can get a rice box with 3 different very filling sides for $4. Except it's more expensive and you only get one side, but as far as Durham goes, this is pretty good. It's hard for me to judge Banh's because my roommate (who is not Asian and grew up in a predominantly-white suburban town) absolutely loves Banh's and comes here at least once a week. From her perspective, Banh's is amazing. She's never had anything like this before and it seems incredibly cheap (considering how filling it is). Unfortunately, this simply tastes generic to me. Of course, it's definitely a valid option; if I'm craving hearty, comfort nondescript Chinese food, I would come here. I'm not sure why it's considered Vietnamese, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a Vietnamese place. read more

"Convenient, inexpensive Vietnamese on Sat/Wed, standard American-Chinese besides" This store is right next-door to Chubby's on Ninth Street and is well known for their Vietnamese dishes on Wednesday and Saturday nights. I've been there twice now-- you order at a counter, and the owner fixes the food and brings it to your table. Positives: + Cheap for large quantity. Both times I've gone, I got the Vietnamese vegetarian special, and it's around $7 for a large meal (fat spring roll, sticky rice, tofu in sauce). + Owner seems very friendly. Negatives: - Both times the food has been "good", but not ideal. The spring roll is packed with lots of noodles but light on the other ingredients-- you have to dip it for it not to be bland, but good with the sauce. The sticky rice is tasty. The tofu, as several reviewers have said, is really "mushy"... almost like it's barely cooked and never pressed ahead of time. Overall, it's just OK, which for a foodie town like Durham is a bit of a letdown. The Chinese dish my son had there once was not good-- not even as good as what you might get at a chain like Panda Express. - Cash only. - Somewhat run-down setting. One doesn't expect fine dining or white tablecloth in a hole-in-the-wall, but seating is limited, and the place overall seems like it's seen better days. Synopsis: I'm all for cheap. I'm all for family-owned restaurants. The owner here seems very nice. But the food is "just good" at best. I find it hard to justify coming here when, for a just a couple of dollars more, I can go from "just good" to "really awesome" at a place like Pad Thai, not too far away. Or spend a similar amount at Chai's or even just up the street at Bali Hai for tasty (though service is not as friendly at Bali Hai). Just over 2 stars for me... I want to like it more than I do... read more

Fabulous. Remarkable If you haven't been here you don't know. Everything cooked to order. Beautiful ladies who really care about food. read more

Banh's Cuisine is a Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant that's commonly overlooked (and misspelled) in comparison to other restaurants on Ninth Street, but the food is delicious. The facility is (very) small with no atmosphere whatsoever, but the owners are extremely nice and very quick. I frequented this restaurant while attending school nearby, and my experience has always been consistent. Normally, the menu is limited to an assortment of stereotypical American-Asian food, which I tried once and deemed very average, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays, special plates are available. Costing a little over $7, these special plates are what I think have made some of my visits to Banh's really worth it. Additionally, there are vegetarian options; I've heard that the vegetarian platter is also delicious. Overall, Banh's is definitely worth a shot if you're craving some quick and convenient Vietnamese food. Keep in mind, though, that they only accept cash. read more

Banh's Cuisine - Special #6, which is Satay Beef, I believe. - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

You don't fool me Banh's! That was definitely chinese food that I just ate even though you told me it was Vietnamese. I had a craving for Vietnamese (I was thinking beef pho or spring rolls) so I stopped in. I should have known immediately when the choices listed included 'chicken with black bean' and other non-Vietnamese things. But, tried it any way... The food itself is ok, but the black bean sauce is actually a couple of really sad looking black beans in a sea of oil slathered on vegetables. The spring roll (fried) was actually just clear glass noodles and carrots. Maybe I ordered off the wrong menu so I'll give it another shot but my Vietnamese craving has yet to be fulfilled! read more

This is a tiny little spot and if you are looking for a cheap and quick lunch option, this is a good bet. I wouldn't bring a big group here unless you are taking it to go and if you are trying to impress someone at a lunch meeting, probably not the best spot for that either. But you can tell they really love the food they make and you can tell they are really happy for everyone who comes into their restaurant which just makes me so happy. For around $6 you can get a big plate for lunch with rice or curry or chicken, and you will definitely leave full! They have vietnamese specials all the time too, so there will likely be something on the menu next time you go you didn't see before. If you can get their specials that is the way to go, since some of their other Chinese dishes, in my opinion, just lacked flavor. So my advice is ask the lady who runs the shop on what to order and she will tell you :-) read more

I love this place, you won't find a better deal on healthy Vietnamese food anywhere else! They have a small menu, serve the food on a paper plate, and have very limited seating, so the fact that I still give this place 5 stars shows just how great the food is here! Look for the specials menu on the right, that's where the good stuff is! read more

Banh's Cuisine - Ginger chicken, so good! - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

While from the street this place does not seem to be the all star Vietnamese restaurant of Durham I found it while trying to find a place for dinner one night. Upon looking at other reviews it was obvious that the Wed or Sat authentic Vietnamese specials were the time to come. I've gone back four times for the vegetarian special now and can't suggest it enough. I'm a new transplant to the area and I can't say how excited I am to know I have an affordable, authentic, delicious regular spot for a quick weekend meal. 11/10 go for the specials and stay for the entire menu!! read more

Banh's Cuisine - Vegetarian Special - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We still love Banh's. We've been enjoying take-out this year, and I appreciate their COVID protocols. I wanted to add to my reviews because my two sons (Aged 8 and 5) regularly ask for Banh's and it is their very favorite restaurant. Last night, my younger son said "My two favorite foods are candy and Banh's!" I love both their regular and their special menus (especially the tofu Banh Mi! Highly recommend! read more

Just called for update, they are open FOR TAKEOUT ONLY. The same hours. Cash or credit. No phone-in orders. My wife was saying that her lunches with Esther were what she really missed, and they used to get together at Banh's on Wednesday to get #6. This is one of Durham's fine restaurants that makes lunch great and easy to enjoy, all at a really reasonable price.... And you won't get it elsewhere. read more

So delicious! We got the spicy chicken wings and ginger chicken -- great value, pretty quick, and so yummy. Highly recommend!

Awesome spot on 9th street that serves up Chinese food most days and Vietnamese food twice a week. I've had the vegetarian Pho and it was a bit on the bland side, but for the money you get large portions that are consistently delicious overall. The Chinese dishes are loosely Cantonese (in other words, reminiscent of American takeout Chinese), but unique enough to be a cut above other Chinese places. I'm a big fan of the Ginger Tofu, and the black sauce they use for some of their dishes (like the Mixed Vegetables) is delicious. For my family of 5, four entrées are plenty. Note that they only take cash. read more

I've been meaning to try Banh's for awhile now as it's conveniently located on 9th street. It's a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant but unfortunately did not live up to the hole-in-the-wall authenticity that I was expecting. The menu is very limited and I was sad to find that there weren't any noodle dishes available. Despite it's name Banh, there are no banh mi sandwiches served here. The food was served on paper plates and plastic utensils and it took 15 minutes for my plate of chicken curry to be prepared even though there were only 3 tables of people eating inside the restaurant. There are 2 tables of outdoor seating which we took advantage of; great for enjoying sunny nice weather. My chicken curry and rice ($8) did come in a humongous portion though and had great flavor and wasn't overly oily or salty. It's more of a Japanese curry sauce---not spicy, but more sweet and creamy. read more

Very reasonable prices, tasty food. The best $6 lunch I've found around here. The Vietnamese specials served on Wednesdays and Saturdays are great, as are the usual specials. I think it's weird that people take issue with the limited menu...that's just what this place is...a small restaurant serving a limited menu. Seems as silly as down voting this place for not being a burger joint. One of the only CASH ONLY places worth the trouble. read more

I love them lol. Wish they served traditional dishes more days out the week, but it's worth the hr drive!

We gave it a few tries based on reviews here and based on the idea that if a hole-in-the-wall has been around for awhile, they're doing something right. That theory didn't play out. Sure, it's a run-down cash-only place with disposable serveware and low prices. Sure, they have a very small regular menu along with limited availability special dishes on certain days. But it lacked one thing: being delicious. For a few dollars more it's easy to find Chinese/Vietnamese that is much, much better. But, it's worth a try, even if to just check out the buzz about this place. read more

Great value for some of the best Vietnamese food you can get in Durham. Wednesdays when they serve the vegetarian plate with spring rolls is my family's absolute favorite day to go. The staff is always so friendly, we cannot recommend this place enough! read more

Good luck finding better food for the price. The specials are always changing, the sauce is good, the portions are good, it's all good. On Weds & Sats they serve traditional Vietnamese foods. If you're on 9th you should know about this spot. read more

My heart says 5 stars, but my brain and belly say 3. The owners/staff are hard not to love. Quiet, sweet, and friendly. I love family-run holes in the wall. For all of that, my heart says 5 stars. Belly speaking now: I've been picking up the vegetarian special on Wednesdays for years and plan to continue. I love the tofu and sticky rice. The black bean sauce is a bit overpowering, but tasty in small doses. The broccoli in the vegetarian special tastes like it was burnt on a propane burner, but somehow I still like it. The shrimp special is tasty too, but not something I can eat too often as I tire on the taste. The prices are a great deal. I never get anything but the specials as they seem really blah to me. If you've never been, you should definitely give them a try. read more

I LOVE Banh's. If it's Wednesday or Saturday, there is a greater than 75% chance that I have been to Banh's that day for the vegetarian special. The fried tofu with black bean sauce and those crispy onions on top... my mouth salivates just thinking about it. Admittedly it isn't the cleanest or very chic but the staff are so friendly and it is a great place for people watching. Apparently fried tofu for less than $7 is the great equalizer. The most diverse group of people come here and I love that Banh's feels like a real neighborhood place. There is better food but Twisted Noodle takes forever and has the most inattentive waitstaff and that place in Cary is too far away for me day to day. Plus they always exchange the roll on Saturday's for the steamed veggies with no hassle and I dig that chili-garlic hot sauce in the tubs next to the cash register! Love you Banh's! read more

Good, relatively cheap Vietnamese dinner on 9th Street. I ended up eating here with Meghan B, Elizabeth M (who should write some Yelp Reviews :-O ), and Greg and Derek (who don't have Yelp profiles). The specials are well-laid out and explained on the wall, perfect for quick ordering once one knows what they're getting. I ended up with a lemon shrimp dish. It was quite good, especially considering seafood can always be iffy anywhere. But the shrimp and the lemon and the noodles all combined well, and the ground peanuts were also a nice added touch to an excellent meal. They also have outside seating, which is perfect for people watching on 9th Street. All in all, a good cheap meal and a good option, particularly on Wednesday nights. read more

After all of the hype about Banh's vegetarian tofu special, I made my way to the tiny shop to try it. Not impressed. Seriously, I'm not sure what the fascination with this dish is. Maybe it was a bad batch, but in that case it makes them inconsistent, which is just the same as being consistently bad in my mind. The tofu were soggy, not crispy. The black bean sauce tasted like it came out of a jar and was overly sweet. The sticky rice resembled glue more than rice. To top it off, the entire thing was served lukewarm. It was a disaster on a plate. I have nothing against hole-in-the-wall restaurants, but there better be good food if you expect me eat while flies are constantly swarming around my plate. read more

Considering the absolute lack of good asian food around here, this place is darn awesome. i learned to go on Wed and Sat, when they have their special menus. All the other days seem like pretty bad american-chinese food. like kung pao chicken. piew piew. but on wed and sat, they got pretty good stuff like tofu with black bean sauce, wonton noodle soup, and pho chai. i think it's one of the best viet places around here (out of the like... 3) read more

Delicious!!! I get the ginger shrimp with steamed rice, my favorite. It comes with vegetables & tastes so clean and healthy. When they are out of that, I do the ginger chicken. The ladies who work there are super sweet. read more

Bahn's is an institution in the Bull City. Every Wednesday and Saturday, they have home cooked Vietnamese food. This place attracts lots people on those days, but can appear quiet on others. What one considers cute, another could consider low-brow. Bahn's only has about 4-6 dishes, the names of which are posted up on the board behind the counter. They rotate the dishes throughout the week, so if you come everyday of the week, you should see different dishes. There is no table service, it's all DIY. Pretty low key affair, but reliable. If you're in need of a reasonable asian fix (the food kind), bahn's is a safe bet. The only thing is that dishes can be on the salty side! read more

I absolutely love the veggie plate they do on Wed and Sat. The sticky rice with the black bean sauce is so yummy, and the tofu is perfectly fried, and the broccoli is nice and crisp. Their regular menu is good, too, esp. considering how inexpensive it is. I also love that this place has been on 9th street for over 20 years! read more

Maybe I should've gotten the vegetarian special? I had seen all these amazing Yelp reviews and stumbled upon this place. So of course, I had to go in. Since it's called Banh's cuisine, I expected them to have banh mi...sadly not so. Instead I got an order of sticky rice - a little styrofoam plate with a generous scoop of sticky rice topped with seasoning (salt +..?) and peanuts. Nothing too fancy, but very filling and appetizing. And cheap. I would come back here again, but I wouldn't call it a destination. read more

Gas food and very cheap. $8 for a plate of rice and a lot of meat. Sesame chicken is definitely my favorite, but tofu with sticky rice is also pretty good. read more

The owner here is super mega nice and friendly, which is worth some stars in itself. However, I can't give this place full marks because I was slightly disappointed with my pho ga. They used broad Chinese noodles instead of the standard thin pho noodles, and a weird combination of wilted cilantro and basil. The broth was good, though. The rest of the menu has kind of a Viet cast to it, but I can't say that anything my dinner companions got looked really appealing. I might go back once more just to see if anything else on the menu is palatable. Fingers crossed. read more

In the sea of 9th street restaurants, Banh's stands out as one of the only Asian food offerings on the strip. Banh's isn't the cleanest place in the world, but the delicious Vietnamese offerings definitely make up for any lost points. All of their noodle dishes are great, as are the spring rolls. It's tough because they product offerings change so frequently, so sometimes my favorites aren't available. The employees are always friendly and the food comes out fast, and the prices are extremely friendly. Despite not being aesthetically-pleasing, Banh's is a great stop on 9th street. read more

Banh's Cuisine - Vietnamese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina