Nom Nom Bánh Mì

Vietnamese restaurant · Southside

3

@eater

"Ever since she first moved from Vietnam to the United States in 1989, Trâm Dyck has dreamt of opening a banh mi shop. This spring, she’ll finally make that dream a reality with the debut of Nom Nom Bánh Mì in Berkeley. Dyck has sampled the Vietnamese sandwiches all over the Bay Area and has yet to find one that lives up to her memories. 'When we live in Vietnam, we take it for granted. And when we go abroad, we say, ‘That’s not banh mi,' she says. ‘It’s hard to find a good one around here. Either the bread is not right or the meat is not fresh. It doesn’t have to be really, really cheap and compromise the taste.' Nom Nom Bánh Mì occupies an 800-square-foot space at 2491 Telegraph Avenue, a former T-shirt shop just south of UC Berkeley. Building out a kitchen and going through the permitting process has been long and frustrating for Dyck, but she hopes she can get the restaurant open in two or three months. The 14-seat, contemporary shop — decorated with artwork depicting both Vietnam and Berkeley — will only serve banh mi, Vietnamese-style lemonade, Vietnamese iced coffee, and iced green tea sweetened with lychee. Dyck expects to offer nine variations on the classic sandwich, including Saigon-style chả (silky pork roll), pâté, roasted pork, grilled chicken, lemongrass beef, and sardines in a tangy tomato sauce — the last one is a personal favorite from childhood. Vegetarians can opt for a savory cheese banh mi, filled with Laughing Cow just like in Vietnam, or the vegan tofu with soy mayo. Each sandwich will go for $7-$9 — a heftier price tag than some spots that still manage to serve banh mi for less than $4, but Dyck says she’s using higher quality ingredients. And unlike a lot of Bay Area banh mi spots, Nom Nom won’t also serve spring rolls, desserts, smoothies, and other dishes. 'I know what I’m good at and I want to focus on one thing,' says Dyck. Too often, she says, local banh mi shops overly toast their bread to mask a subpar texture. While Dyck won’t make Nom Nom’s baguettes in-house, she managed to find a Vietnamese wholesale bakery that meets her high standards. 'When you bite into it, it has a slight crunch and your teeth sink into that soft, warm, chewy texture of the bread, and then bite a little deeper and you hit the crunch of the pickled daikon and carrots and pâté and meat oozing into your mouth — that’s the ideal, that’s what I’m aiming for,' she says. 'All of sudden, your mouth just says, ‘Hello, good morning!’' Stay tuned for more details when it opens later this spring." - Janelle Bitker

Nom Nom Bánh Mì Opening With Classic Vietnamese Sandwiches in Berkeley - Eater SF

2491 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 Get directions

nomnombanhmi.store

3 Postcards

See full details

More Places For You

Comal

Mexican restaurant · Downtown

This vibrant eatery blends modern design with Mexican flavors, featuring a spirited outdoor area and a cocktail menu that’s sure to impress.

16 Postcards

Chez Panisse

Californian restaurant · North

At Alice Waters' legendary Chez Panisse, savor seasonal, high-quality dishes in a cozy, sophisticated setting that invites a culinary pilgrimage.

57 Postcards

Fieldwork Brewing Company - Berkeley

Brewery · Berkeley

Fieldwork Brewing offers an expansive beer garden and taproom with a rotating selection of innovative brews and a tempting menu of Detroit-style pizzas, all in a lively, industrial atmosphere perfect for casual hangouts.

6 Postcards

Caffè Strada

Coffee shop · Telegraph Avenue

Nestled under leafy trees near UC Berkeley, Caffe Strada is a lively, student-favorite café known for solid coffee, quick bites, and ample outdoor seating perfect for studying or catching up with friends.

1 Postcard

Milkbomb Ice Cream

Ice cream shop · Downtown

At Milkbomb in Berkeley, dive into creamy, inventive ice cream sandwiches crafted with delightful flavors like ube and horchata, served by super friendly staff.

4 Postcards

Sol Y Luna Taqueria

Mexican restaurant · Gourmet Ghetto

Charming and lively, this cozy spot serves up fresh Mexican fare with standout handmade corn tortillas and a spicy salsa bar to enjoy while you wait.

1 Postcard

Third Culture Bakery Berkeley

Bakery · Southwest Berkeley

This pastel-hued gem serves up an irresistible lineup of gluten-free mochi muffins and donuts, complemented by high-quality matcha drinks, all in a friendly atmosphere.

15 Postcards

KC'S BBQ

Barbecue restaurant · Westbrae

Storied storefront with down-home decor offering sliced beef & hot links with homemade sauce.

5 Postcards

Cesar

Spanish restaurant · North

Dive into a vibrant bistro serving up irresistible Spanish tapas and creative cocktails, perfectly designed for the ultimate shared dining experience.

1 Postcard

Berkeley Social Club

Restaurant · Downtown

Berkeley Social Club is a bustling Korean-American fusion eatery near the campus, famous for its lively atmosphere and Instagram-worthy brunch dishes like unique eggs Benedict and flavorful Korean fried chicken, all served with a side of excellent cocktails.

1 Postcard