Nicole E.
Yelp
I'm thrilled to have a banh mi restaurant in Albany. I haven't had the chance to grab the delicious, filling, and cheap as sin banh mi from NYC for years and have been getting by making my own (with less-than-satisfying French bread).
The Banh Mi 47 location was clean and bright on my visit. The staff were all appropriately masked and friendly. The sandwich came out so quick, and cost a reasonable $8 after tax.
The lemongrass chicken banh mi was a really tasty lunch. The chicken, for those who have a preference, was chicken thigh. The meat portion was adequate, but could have been slightly more generous (though you can add extra meat for a little extra (about $2). In addition to chicken, the sandwich contained thinly sliced cucumber, shredded carrot and daikon, cilantro, a very light (thankfully) application of Mayo, special sauce, and fresh jalapeño slices (optional, and staff asks if you want them). The "special sauce" ended up being something akin to a slightly spicy duck sauce. The flaky, authentic bread (rice-flour based, I believe) was so satisfying. The veggies were all very fresh.
Why hold off the last star? The bahn mi was just a touch lacking in flavor. Although the flavor of the fresh produce shined, I was missing the vinegary bite of the veggies (update: the veggies are pickled, as the owner promised, though my preference is for a bit of a a stronger pickle). A bit of acidity would also have been an added flavor boost, so serving with a lime on the side would be a huge help. However, these are very minor gripes for an overall very enjoyable sandwich. I hope Banh Mi 47 is here for a long tenure in Albany, as it's a really great addition to the lunch scene!