Saigon Express: Inexpensive Banh Mi Spot in Downtown Berkeley
Saigon Express
Open almost all day, Monday through Friday (from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm), Saigon Express is a great place to grab an affordable bite anytime you’re hungry. It’s a cute shop decorated with an attractive deep red and some Vietnamese art, where you order and pay at the counter, which has the entire menu posted above it. You can take your food to go or eat it in the cozy dining room, which people trickle through all day. People love the food here, and it’s yummy and hard to argue with the prices—especially when it comes to the banh mi.
The banh mi sandwiches cost less than $10, but they’re far from being simple sandwiches. Instead, they come with perfectly seasoned and marinated meat, a healthy amount of pickled and fresh veggies, and a delightful French baguette that’s easy to chew and has a slightly crunchy crust. The flavor is very balanced between contrasting notes that are sweet, savory, herby, and spicy. It’s thick and substantial, but it doesn’t take long at all for the kitchen to prepare. They’re wonderful for anyone, but they are perfect for students who are in a hurry and on a limited budget, especially because the restaurant is so close to the UC Berkeley campus and the high school.
The staff behind the counter can also quickly make other Vietnamese dishes for reasonable prices. They’re not quite as much of a steal as the banh mi, but they’re also good options. The noodles and meat plates look like they would take longer to eat, but they certainly look interesting; this restaurant embraces high-quality Vietnamese food and takes pride in making each dish excellent, so I would not hesitate to try anything on the menu. In the dining room, you will notice the banh mi sandwiches are popular, but the other dishes appear to have loyal fans as well.
The ambiance in this cozy, warm-toned eating area is completely casual and laid-back. The food ordered and paid for at the counter comes out quickly, carried by a staff member, but there’s no rush at all, and the staff leaves you alone to eat. You can help yourself to a pitcher of tap water and enjoy your meal at any pace; some people come here to pound down a substantial meal in a hurry, but others come with friends to chat. Although there are plenty of conversations going on and work being done in the kitchen, this corner restaurant in downtown Berkeley is extremely quiet and peaceful, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing, inexpensive meal.
The banh mi sandwiches cost less than $10, but they’re far from being simple sandwiches. Instead, they come with perfectly seasoned and marinated meat, a healthy amount of pickled and fresh veggies, and a delightful French baguette that’s easy to chew and has a slightly crunchy crust. The flavor is very balanced between contrasting notes that are sweet, savory, herby, and spicy. It’s thick and substantial, but it doesn’t take long at all for the kitchen to prepare. They’re wonderful for anyone, but they are perfect for students who are in a hurry and on a limited budget, especially because the restaurant is so close to the UC Berkeley campus and the high school.
The staff behind the counter can also quickly make other Vietnamese dishes for reasonable prices. They’re not quite as much of a steal as the banh mi, but they’re also good options. The noodles and meat plates look like they would take longer to eat, but they certainly look interesting; this restaurant embraces high-quality Vietnamese food and takes pride in making each dish excellent, so I would not hesitate to try anything on the menu. In the dining room, you will notice the banh mi sandwiches are popular, but the other dishes appear to have loyal fans as well.
The ambiance in this cozy, warm-toned eating area is completely casual and laid-back. The food ordered and paid for at the counter comes out quickly, carried by a staff member, but there’s no rush at all, and the staff leaves you alone to eat. You can help yourself to a pitcher of tap water and enjoy your meal at any pace; some people come here to pound down a substantial meal in a hurry, but others come with friends to chat. Although there are plenty of conversations going on and work being done in the kitchen, this corner restaurant in downtown Berkeley is extremely quiet and peaceful, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing, inexpensive meal.
What a find! Sounds amazing
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