Xe May Sandwich Shop - Upper East Side

We are thrilled to have Xe May in the neighborhood! The upper east side has a decent amount of Vietnamese options nowadays, and all are fairly vegan-friendly, but Xe May is in a class of its own. Their vegan banh mi is basically my ideal meal. It is incredibly flavorful, fresh, and satisfying, while also managing to fulfill my healthy eating goals. This is a feat that most vegan restaurants struggle with, unfortunately. The “mean green” sandwich is revolutionary. To replace meat, they use glazed portobello mushrooms and tofu that are full of flavor without being greasy. Greatly preferable to deep fried tofu or overly salty and oily mock meat. Next, instead of the mayo they use a homemade cauliflower spread. Love that! Lastly, it comes on a whole wheat baguette. This is never an option! So greatly appreciated. Even better, it the whole wheat bread is SO fresh and delicious, you wouldn’t even have to be a health nut to get it. Despite all these revolutionary tweaks, it still manages to evoke a classic banh mi experience, overflowing with jalapeños, fresh veggies, and cucumber. The employees are also very helpful and patient with my many questions. My only small critique is that $15.50 feels a little expensive for a sandwich in a place that doesn’t even have tables (they do have a few stools and a small counter), but I guess what meal in this city is under $15 these days? Anyway, we will definitely be back… we seriously can’t stop thinking about that mean green sandwich.

Not bad at all. New and rare "banh mi" addition to the UES. I had the classic. The magic ingredients in Vietnamese banh mi is hard to replicate, as it requires the perfect combination of three different types of Vietnamese ham, pate, cilantro, cucumbers, daikon, carrots, and fresh chillies, all on fresh baguette. While Xe May does not meet this standard, it is good enough effort. Needs more oomph. All the ingredients are there, baguette was fresh, soft, warm, but missing the flavour/kick. But still worth trying. They also have a loyalty card....so that's an incentive. I'll be back to try the other flavours.

Xe May Sandwich is my go-to spot for authentic Vietnamese bánh mì. The flavors are bold, fresh, and unforgettable — from the perfectly crisp baguette to the savory meats and crunchy pickled veggies. Every sandwich is made with care, and you can taste the quality in every bite. The staff is friendly, the vibe is great, and the food? Absolutely top-notch. If you haven’t tried Xe May yet, you’re seriously missing out. Best sandwiches around, hands down!

I’ve been a loyal customer of their East Village location for years, so I was beyond excited when they opened on the Upper East Side. The banh mi is absolutely delicious — fresh, flavorful, and consistently satisfying. The staff is always warm, welcoming, and attentive, which makes the experience even better. Every sandwich is a hit, but the Classic remains my all-time favorite. So glad to have them in the neighborhood!

The baguette was perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and could hold all the savory fillings, from juicy pork and flavorful pate to the crunchy pickled vegetables. I loved the spicy kick from the jalapeños and appreciated being asked for my spice preference. The meat to veggie ratio was spot-on, making each bite balanced and satisfying. Even after an hour, the bread stayed fresh, which isn’t always the case at other shops. The staff was quick and friendly!! Gotta try this place out!

Great Bahn Mi. Crunchy tasty bread. Great balance of veg, meat and sauce/seasoning. We needed this here on 74-75 St. I highly recommend . They should put an egg bahn mi and a fish bahn mi on the menu but not sardines. Maybe some more vegetarian options. Oh, I also had the summer rolls and they were solid.

Great new banh mi sandwich shop. Authentic ingredients and great taste. The owner was very friendly.

This was the best banh mi I've had in NYC. The Super Cub Classic was simply bursting with flavor, maybe a tad spicier than expected with the aioli. But it was a pleasant surprise overall, and I will be going back. Ordering online in advance through their website was also very easy.