Alpha Bakery & Deli

"Shunted off in a corner of Hong Kong City Mall in Chinatown, Alpha Bakery quietly and modestly makes the best bánh mì in the entire city. The shop is so crammed to the gills with a ton of Vietnamese snacks and spices, you almost miss the modest little sandwich counter. Order any sandwich and watch as thick globs of butter and mayo are spread on fresh baguettes and filled with pâté, chả lụa (bologna), pork belly, giò thủ (head cheese), and a fistful of sliced vegetables and herbs. The best part is this little slice of sandwich heaven is only $5, cash, so maybe order two or three. What to order: dặc biệt bánh mì" - chelsea thomas

"Arguably the most popular banh mi spot in Hong Kong Mall 4, Alpha Bakery is a wallet-friendly lunch destination. Traditional oblong bread rolls are smeared with homemade pate and mayo, filled to the brim with proteins like grilled pork or shu mai meatballs, then topped with pickled carrots, daikon, jalapeño, cucumber, cilantro, and a few dashes of Maggi. Try the thit nguoi cold cut, one of the most popular items on the menu." - Minh Truong, Mai Pham, Eater Staff

"Sandwich: banh mi dac biet The dặc biệt bánh mì from Alpha Bakery & Cafe will reach into your daydreams like a pork-laden angel. Watching a staffer spread slabs of creamy butter on a fresh baguette feels like a beautiful moment, especially when that baguette then gets stuffed with pâté, bologna, pork belly, head cheese, and a fistful of sliced vegetables and herbs. It’s the best bánh mì in Houston, and it’s hard to believe it only costs $5." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene, julie takahashi

"Once you taste the dặc biệt bánh mì at Alpha Bakery & Cafe inside of Hong Kong City Mall, it will tease you forever, reaching out in daydreams like a pork-laden angel. Even though this place is packed with every tiny snack known to man—banana-leaf-wrapped sausages, little rice balls, spices upon spices—it’s the bánh mì you want. The sandwich that arises from this modest little prep station—saddled with thick cuts of cured pork, luscious pâté, perfectly cut cucumber, and a blissful amount of butter—only costs $5 cash. Ordering two every visit should help combat the inevitable cravings. What to order: bánh mì dặc biệt" - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"This Chinatown spot serves the best bánh mì in town for only five bucks. Located in Hong Kong City Mall, Alpha Bakery & Cafe sells a handful of sandwiches and hundreds of packaged Vietnamese snacks. The folks behind the counter slather so much butter, mayonnaise, and paté on the bánh mì, it qualifies as a religious experience. And that’s before the chả lụa, pork belly, giò thủ, pickled daikon, and fresh herbs get added. You’ll want more than one, so bring cash in the form of a crisp $20." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene