Buu Dien

i think it’s changed hands since jonathan gold raved about the place.
2 banh mi’s ran $ 6. personally i was underwhelmed. might be good for chinatown but they wouldn’t last in the SGV. probably on a par with banh mi che cali except you only get 2 instead of 3.
the phở is on the small side, and what makes it funny is that the old guy behind the counter will charge different amounts from week to week.
but they do validate parking in the little lot.

Jonathan Gold must not have been here in a while.
Had the phở, banh mi ga, and banh mi cha.
The phở was definitely home-​style. Not the best, not the worst. Little too heavy on the star anise and other phở spices. The meat was cut in such a manner that reminded me of my friend’s mom made it back in the day. Not like the thin slices you would expect at a restaurant.
The banh mis were just meh. The bread was good. However, the meat to pickled veggie ratio was way off. Also, I had one wilted stock of cilantro in my sandwich and a sad looking jalapeño slice. Not sure if they were low or running out of the fresh veggies (cilantro and jalapeño) but they definitely skimped.
I suppose if you’re in a pinch/​bind/​really needing needing a banh mi, this place will do.

I used to come here and sandwiches were great, but now they taste horrible. They changed the bread. It’s smaller, denser, and stale. It used to light and crispy, but now it just tastes gross. Won’t be coming back.

I came in for the banh mi. It’s Jonathan Gold’s favorite in LA. Even compared to the new places such as East Borough. Instead, I got phở which was recommended to me by the gentleman. I ordered both the phở and banh mi since it was only around $ 2. I guess he didn’t really understand my order since I only got the phở at my table.
I can tell you that I’ve had better phở in the Valley. The broth was too light in flavor compared to what I’ve tasted in other phở restaurants. I’d skip the phở and get the banh mi next time. It’s the most inexpensive I’ve seen anywhere.
Cash only.

Located in a small plaza right between New High St and Broadway in Chinatown, this place serves Vietnamese sandwiches, spring rolls, snacks, desserts, drinks and more. The Vietnamese family that runs this place doesn’t speak much English, but I did not have any problems ordering my go to Vietnamese sandwich: Banh mi dac biet.
Ordered: Banh mi dac diet. $ 2.25
This sandwich comes with pâté, mayonnaise, and a variety of meats (pork, Vietnamese meatloaf) with vegetables: fresh cilantro, chile pepper, pickled carrots and daikon. I really like the combination of these vegetables on a Vietnamese baguette sandwich.
You can get your bread toasted, but I opted not to. I asked for the vegetables on the side too. I’m no expert when it comes to Vietnamese sandwiches, but this sandwich was just okay. The bread is pretty soft and chewy… I like my baguettes with a little crispiness/​crunch. Besides that the bread was breaking apart when I bit into it… Not sure why? I did not really prefer this sandwich to other ones I have tried. Overall, it was an okay sandwich for a very cheap price.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… imperialist colonialism wasn’t all bad. Case in point, the banh mi. A fascinating culinary melding of French and Vietnamese traditions. Baguette and pâté meet head cheese and pickled veggies for joint resolution that the UN can only dream of passing. The sandwiches here are your bare-​bones basics, not the hipster farm-​to-​table heirloom pork and farm-​raised organic veggie ones you’ll find for literally 5x the price in downtown. But in their simplicity is their victory… for $ 2 you get a stripped down and classically delicious banh mi without any of the other frills that deep down you probably don’t want anyways.

Small and family owned, this place has bahn mi for only $ 2! I like to get the special with different Vietnamese cold cuts and pâté and sometimes they might have the chashu bbq pork. The guy who runs it is very friendly and nice and always greets us with a warm smile! Definitely get a bottle of the chrysanthemum tea to go with your sandwich. Soo refreshing! And try to find street parking (meter) since the parking lot is small and cramped. (May be difficult on weekends when Chinatown is busy)

Let me start by saying — banh mi sandwiches for $ 2.50. I say again — BAHN MI SANDWICHES FOR $ 2.50!!! In the very best way, Buu Dien is like your favorite whole-​in-​the-​wall taco stand serving simple but delicious sandwiches on the vey cheap. Upon hearing that this is one of Jonathan Gold’s favorite spots for bahn mi, that was all I needed to hear to check it out!
Located in a strip mall in Chinatown with free parking (with validation), I entered to be greeted by an older lady. Hoping for a suggestion of which bahn mi to get (they offer roughly 8 or so sandwiches), it was apparent early that there was a language barrier. She got the other man working with her (her husband?) but that comically didn’t help very much. Upon asking him which one was the best, he responded by saying «everything». Wanting clarification, I then asked which ones were the most popularly ordered, he responded again by saying «everything».
I had no idea what was said for the rest of our short conversation but he somehow convinced me to get not one, but 2 sandwiches!!! But at $ 2.50 a pop, it was an easy sell. Went with the Bbq pork & fried pork. Both were delicious. Again, not a gourmet sandwich by any means, just simple ingredients with good bread, but more than enough to make a great sandwich!
FYI — cash only.

This is a little hidden gem that makes Vietnamese /​French sandwiches and other little dishes. For the price and freshness, you can’t beat it. It’s really not a fancy looking place but the sandwiches are pretty authentic and delicious. Their specialty are French baguette sandwiches and other small Vietnamese dishes. Free parking, just ask for validation!

funky tasty and $ 2.50??? for a sandwich… I’m going back for sure!

Cash only!
Bahn mi: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Cleanliness: 2 stars
This is a nice little Vietnamese sandwich shop tucked away in Chinatown. My friend and I had two bahn mi buu dien sandwiches and liked them quite well, however they were far from the best I’ve had (I’m a harsh judge due to my daily consumption of bahn mi in Saigon earlier this year). The bread, cilantro, and jalapenos were fresh however the sandwich lacked something that couldn’t quite put my finger on.
The owner was very nice and had a great sense of humor and the décor was just what you would expect from a little Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown (which to me was perfect).
I will return but I well also continue my search for the prefect bahn mi in L.A.

I came here after the spending the day in the law library because I wanted a bahn mi. To my surprise the bahn mi here are only $ 2.50!!! What! I felt like I stepped back into the ‘50s!
I got the pâté bahn mi and it was pretty good. Not the best one I’ve ever had, but more than worth the price!
They also have phở here, which I haven’t tried, and quite a few to go items. Their English isn’t the best and their shop isn’t the fanciest, but those are non deal breakers for me.
Obviously this place is cash only. Also they validate parking!

The chicken sandwich is my fave. Parking is free just get your ticket stamped. Cash only and they don’t have an ATM.

language barrier is an issue here but im sure youll get past it and order your 3 dollar bahn mi happily, breads a little dry but again it was 3 dollars and youre not eating subway.
workers there are friendly and the atmosphere is somewhere between a corner store and someones living room so that makes a great time.
its very simple in the best way and should remain as such.

When I go to Chinatown I go for dim sum or Chinese food (of course), but I’d see this place and was curious about it. I’m not far from work and I walk here. I get the Chicken Bahn Mi and it is seasoned perfectly and the bread is nice and toasty. The Thai Tea comes in one size and the man fills it up a third of the way and uses ice to compensate.
Lunch for $ 5.50 isn’t a bad deal at all. Don’t expect anything great atmosphere wise. There are chairs, tables, napkins, and condiments. They’re not always completely clean though. I wish they’d wipe the tables every now and then.

This small deli may be small but they know their mud. If you haven’t had a Vietnamese French deli sandwich, you’re missing a taste bud pleaser. The owners now have their daughter learning the trade (no surprising is it?). My wife asked for a all headcheese Banh Mi and it was gr8. Made by the young daughter seen in the photo waiting for my wife Jocelyn to pay up. Go and enjoy one.

How you can wrong when you pay $ 2.50 for sandwich. I am coming here for several years and always got a tasty banh mi. Really friendly service and easy parking. The bread is fresh and crisp, fresh spring roll as bonus. The place is simple but pleasant. I always get couple sandwitches to go for later. I still have to try the soups.

I love bahn mi, but you know what makes a sandwich taste terrible? — Berating your employees in front of customers, or ever at all. I went one morning to purchase a couple of sandwiches for my and my sister’s lunch, and got a side of tongue-​lashing. The nice little guy helping me was cool, until the older gentleman came out and unleashed an aural assault on him. No Thanks.

What wonderful flavors and textures: the bread had a crunchy crusty exterior that collapsed into soft airiness. Tasty thick pâté, sour pickled veggies, meat, and cilantro.
Huge sandwich, compared to other shops — very filling for only $ 2.00.
I’ll return for more.

This small eatery that best to get something eats and run, But I decide to get BD Specialty French Baguette and it was good and filling to my liking. This place also serves Beef Noodle (Phở) and other food. According to the owner this place had been open over 30 years. So he must this place must be good.
This place also makes a good cup of coffee. It also serve French coffee for $ 7.50, since they must grind coffee and prepared when someone order.