Saigon Deli

My new favorite spot for Banh Mi! Their BBQ is what I usually go with and the pork flavorful, well cooked and abundant. The pickled veggies are fresh and crunchy and the raw jalapeño slices are perfect. Their french rolls are also toasted which give a nice crunch to the outside and a warm soft inside. It gets pretty busy during lunch hours and I don’t know how the workers manage to keep track of the sandwich orders, but they do! The price point is quite comparable to other spots.
I haven’t had anything from their hot bar yet, but everything I’ve seen looks delicious as well. They do accept credit/​debit cards but charge $ 0.50 for any order under $ 10.

As far as small vietnamese deli’s go, this is the best in Seattle that I’ve visited. I go here at least once a week to pick up a tofu bahn mi or vegetarian vermicelli. The people who work there are so friendly and the prices are very reasonable for the freshness/​quality of food. I really love this place. The meat options are more tasty (such as the pork or chicken bahn mi) but I’m vegetarian and for those of you who are as well, the meat-​less options are also very good. PS: for the vegans out there, the tofu bahn mi comes without mayo.

Pretty good! I like their Tofu Banh mi. I haven’t tried anything else yet. Their vietnamese ice coffee isn’t bad either. It’s crowded there and how they have their lines is all messed up when people want to order. They need to create a ticket system.

It’s okay. The Bahn Mi wasn’t incredibly flavorful and it was rather uneventful. I had the grilled pork Bahn Mi, and while the bun was incredibly delicious since it was warm and flaky while also being airy on the inside, the meat just fell flat flavor-​wise and the other ingredients couldn’t make up for it. This place is definitely cheap ($ 3.50), so I guess you pay for what you get.
Person up front who was serving me also a bit surly. While I do admit that there were good aspects to the Bahn Mi and it was pretty cheap, I don’t think I’ll be coming back.

I kind of expected more from this place. The prices were definitely inexpensive but I wasn’t blown away. Maybe I came at the wrong time but everything seemed very old. I’d never make any sort of effort to come back here, but if I was walking by and wanted a sandwich I would consider it.

Came here last weekend and ordered a banh mi along with other things. After paying and leaving as I got home, there was no banh mi!!! Wth. The banh Cuon on the other hand was delish. Disappointed since I paid for it. If it wasn’t far from me I would have gone back for it. Double… Wait triple check ur bag before u leave. And there were a bunch of flies at the door. Yikes.

Flip. This place is good. Like, can I please have one of everything?
We were here yesterday for lunch at noon. We wanted a quick, delicious, filling lunch that wouldn’t slow us down on our busy day and this place was absolutely it.
First things first, they have their own private parking lot which is a rarity in the ID. It’s located to the left of the deli, and spots were plentiful. The place itself is reminiscent of a traditional deli. The Banh Mi menu is suspended up above (and the prices have changed). There are steam trays filled with piping hot food, and the tables that line the place are piled high with handmade goodies. From fresh spring rolls, to stacks of desserts, this place is fresh, handmade, and so perfectly authentic.
My husband and I ordered two Banh Mis. We wanted to compare the two meat-​centric sandwiches, so we ordered the number 2 and the number 3. The bread was toasted perfectly, the sandwich was filled to the brim with spicy jalapeño and generous portions of meat. The balance between meat to veg to cilantro was perfect.
And because we’re a bit glutinous, we also ordered two orders of their meatballs-​on-​a-​stick and two spring rolls from the heated case to the right, as well as a pre-​made pack of summer rolls with pork.
Absolutely everything we had as great. The meatballs were juicy, tender, and seasoned perfectly (and only $ 1.75/stick!). The spring rolls were crispy and light (they’re the ones that you would find in any noodle salad bowl), and the summer rolls with the peanut dipping sauce were probably one of my favorite things that we had there. The rice wrapper was tight, the lettuce and cilantro were fresh and crisp, the pork was tender and juicy, and the hidden cigarette-​thin roll of shrimpy goodness in the middle added a fantastic dimension of texture to the dish.
Heads up: there is a 50 cent surcharge when you use a credit card if you spend less than $ 15. And the ordering «system» is a bit horrendous. Either the guy at the counter who takes the money or someone making sandwiches behind him will ask you what you want. If it’s a sandwich they’ll start making it right away, and they’ll charge you when it’s ready. Half the time there is a line, but the line is to order, not to pay (even though you order and pay in the same cubby hole between the food cases). It’s chaotic, it gets super busy really quickly, but the food flies out so fast that the long lines are always short lived.
Also, there aren’t any tables, chairs or counters to eat from. So you either take it to go or you take it to stand outside to eat, or to eat it in your car. The bread is super toasty so I recommend the stand up and eat outside method — otherwise you might find your car filled with crispy bits of toasted crumbs.
This place is SO good! Next time, I’m going to try more of their pre-​packed goods, well, and I might as well try another banh mi while I’m there. When in Rome, right? Or rather, when in Vietnamese food heaven, amiright?

Saigon Deli is suuuuuuuch an OG spot. This is my favorite place to get banh mi. Matter of fact, and please excuse my ignorance but this is probably the only place I KNOW that sells banh mi. Everywhere else is whack and does not know what they’re doing with their sandwiches! They don’t do it like Saigon Deli!
If I were a piece of bread, I’d like to describe myself as their french roll. Golden brown and crispy on the outside… And soft and fluffy on the inside. That’s how I would want to be remembered.
I always get the same thing here Banh Mi Dac Biet which translates to what (I think) is *~Special Combination~*. It has cold cut meats like vietnamese ham and shtuff. Just thinking about those pickled radishes and carrots, cilantro, mayo and jalapeño… And ooooooh man just thinking about that liver pâté has got me dancing in my seat! Who really knows what they put in it! Some special secret hidden recipe thats been kept under wraps for decades.
They have a whole bunch of other Vietnamese goodies that you can try here from savory to sweet, liquids to solids, hot or cold… I’ll still have to try ‘em all ’cause lord knows I can’t eat everything all in one sitting! Or can I???

They should bahn mi from coming here or else I’m going to spend all my money here!
Now that we got that terrible pun out of the way, here’s my review:
This place is easily missed in a sea of Vietnamese restaurants in Little Saigon. And the other reviews are right, this isn’t a place that welcomes you to stay too long, hence why there probably aren’t any chairs or tables. But if you’re in the area and never been, their sandwiches are definitely the best in the ID.
I got the bahn mi with three kinds of ham with BBQ pork. The flavors are perfect: tangy pickled carrots and daikon radish, fresh cilantro and cucumber, creamy homemade aioli sauce mixed with pâté, well-​seasoned hams, and a kick from the jalepeno. I’m a fan of the pickled veggies so I wish there were more of that. But what sets this sandwich apart from the others is the baguette. It is so freshly crispy on the outside and a soft layer to cushion the inside of your sandwich. It’s cheaper than all the other sandwiches offered in the ID yet the quality is unbeatable.

Been coming here for a while because my parents like the banh mi here. However, their customer service is BELOW ACCEPTABLE. The cashier man here yelled at his customers, threw the change money back on the counter disrespectfully to the lady in front of me. He called me names in Vietnamese sexually, very very disrespectful, when I’m at his daughter age. So gross! I witnessed this man, believed to be the owner, treated other customers poorly almost everytime I go here. Good and cheap food but the atmosphere here is negative. Why coming back when there are equally delicious food from other delies around? They don’t seem to need any customers here. SHAME SHAME SHAME on the owner.
Not to mention, the food here is not that safe and trustworthy to consume! Don’t risk your health.

Ugh had the bi cuon and banh mi and it gave me diarrhea for hours yesterday. Not coming back here again regardless of how tasty it is. Little Hitler (owner dude) you and your staff did me dirty… Literally.

This is my new go-​to for daily meals.
You can eat here for next to nothing and still get bomb food. They turn out sandwiches faster than a McDonalds, but their ingredients are all really fresh and tasty. I got the #1 twice and I could eat it everyday it’s so good and cheap ($ 3.50!).
They also have a ton of ready to go meals. Their spring rolls are what caught my eye. They are also $ 3.50 and were really good. You get two really big ones with many different options for fillings (pork, shrimp, avocado, etc…). I ordered both a spring roll and sandwich for $ 7 and couldn’t finish it all, but really wanted to. I’d say that’s a crazy win in my book for value and taste. You rarely get that anywhere in Seattle.

A staple for many Seattleites who grew up with Saigon deli’s bahn mi’s and cellophane wrapped treats.
They makes excellent sandwiches – better than the other joints around Lil Saigon. They make a sweet and fishy aioli (?) sauce, perfect on the toasted baguette. The pickles, and fresh cucumbers, cilantro, and jalapeños makes each sandwhich a crunchy and crisp bite pop with flavor.
My favorite is the chicken bahn mi, but I have tried and like every one.
There hot food is great too! With rice, the fatty pork in sauce is a mystery of good decisions.
Catch the guys eye and pay with cash.

Banh mi thit nuong, yes please. That’s BBQ pork Vietnamese sandwich if you’re wondering and I believe Saigon Deli has one of the best in Seattle. I like banh mi from other places, but something about the BBQ pork here is special, it use taste gooooood. If I’m running errands in Bellevue, I’ll sometimes cross the bridge to Seattle to grab a banh mi here since there isn’t any decent places for it on the Eastside. The cheap roughly $ 3 meal makes the drive worth it and with all honesty, 15 minutes on the freeway flies by and food is prepared fast any how.
There’s a couple parking spot, I’ve never had a problem finding a spot, but I don’t go during rush hours either. There’s other packaged meals and snacks here with nothing being too costly. I want to say it’s cash only, I could be wrong.
Tell me about your experience if you’ve been here or is going to after reading this review:)

Great food and great prices! Came here today to grab a lunch snack, bahn mi, spring rolls, and aloe drink. Everything was very tasty and it was only $ 13 dollars for two sandwiches, two drinks, and spring rolls. The staff was also really nice.
They have a parking lot right next to the store which had quite a bit of off street parking which is nice when you are in the ID or anywhere downtown.
I would recommend giving this place a try.

I love getting their French iced coffee when I’m in the area. Just tried their tofu spring rolls. Huge rolls with a delicious peanut sauce. Will come back for more!

Now this place knows how to make a banh mi! When I first walked into the shop, it was awkwardly quiet and did not smell good at all, but I took a chance because of the good Unilocal reviews. I ordered the banh mi thit nguoi and brought it back to my hotel. Then I took my first bite and, well, it was love at first bite. It was so damn good, I had to turn off the TV and just sit there in silence to enjoy every single moment with this sandwich. It was the perfect ratio of crispy bread, meats, and pâté. I might sound dramatic, but I don’t care. The banh mi deserves the praise. Looking forward to going back here and ordering many more banh mi next time I’m in Seattle.

I am happy to find out this place with a great deal for dinner. I ordered two of the 3 items combo and it is $ 7.50 each. The portion is big enough that you can save the leftover food for tomorrow. I would recommend the mushroom and chicken, pork belly and the curry dish. Skip the broccoli because it doesn’t taste fresh. Skip the fish dishes as well because the soup tastes sour.
Overall, I will come back to try other items.

Fun to go there… many kinds of food. Ask them about food and try some samples before buying…

Two words: food poisoning.
It took only two pieces of their pre-​packed snacks to keep me up all night and miss a day’s work because I was so ill I could barely stand up. Check out their records in the King County Public Health. A lot of health code violations, especially in the handling and storage of food. And I am not the first one to post about food poisoning if you scroll through other reviews.
There are other cheap and better-​tasting Vietnamese food somewhere else in the ID. Don’t risk your health.

Typical banh mi shop that sells pre made Vietnamese foods, desserts, and hot foods.
Service: I would have given 4 stars but the service here is bad. The man cashiering looks grumpy and hates his job and when you walk in he’ll just demand «what do you want» and not greet people as they come in.
Food: banh mi gets my approval, the bread is ridiculously soft when eaten fresh. I usually get thit nuong BBQ pork and first time it was too salty but this time it was perfectly marinated, so consistency please. They have a wide selections of che, sweet rice, banh beo, nem nuong, banh cuon, com chay, and etc
Like any other Asian place, they take cash only unless you’re spending $ 25+ they’ll accept your credit card.

Do cheap! But you get what you paid for. Don’t make you suck but didn’t stand out either.
They don’t really give you enough meat and the veggies aren’t picked… I don’t know if they are supposed to be but I definitely like them better when they are.
Ps. Go here during busy hours, otherwise you will be served food that’s been sitting around for 7 hours.

Have dropped in here a few times now while in the area for business… Love the banh mi here and spring rolls. Prices are good and they prepare your order fast. This is more of a take out place with a small off street parking lot. For sure will be back again!

DO NOT. I repeat DO NOT park in this parking lot. Do yourself a favor and park around the corner, on a side street. Getting into and out of this parking lot nearly gave my husband and I a heart attack. Did we find parking? yes, but at the cost of almost being hit no less than three times, plus it took several minutes each to park and leave.
Prices here are CHEAP! Food is authentic. We ordered bahn mi but they have many other items you can get to go plus the usual array of desserts and treats. We ordered a chicken and tofu bahn mi. Both sandwiches were good. Is it the best bahn mi I’ve ever had? Not by a long shot, but it was good and the price is right. Wish we had bought more sandwiches…
We may be back, but we’ll make sure to park around the corner. I would rather walk a couple of blocks than face that parking lot again.

Three and half stars, but four for that aloe vera jelly drink they always have stocked in their fridge. A perfect summer drink.
The first time I was here I ordered a barbecue chicken banh mi. For less than 4 dollars I was almost tripping on my way in.
Alas, this first sandwich was a disappointment to say the least. It was pretty gross in all honesty. The chicken was very dry and tough and I could barely chew and swallow it without getting a whiff of a very distinct odd smell of chicken mixed with disappointment and a trace of barbecue sauce. On the bright side, you can never go wrong with the slaw they have in every sandwich. So there I was, picking slaw off my banh mi on my lunch break…
But wait! It gets better. I decided to give this little grab and go experience a second try. This time I ordered a tofu banh mi and picked up the rice vermicelli and shrimp stuffed spring rolls with peanut sauce on my way out. I think this was the universe trying to tell me to become a vegetarian again because this banh mi was very good! The tofu was marinated well and the slaw and banh mi bread were delicious as usual. The premade spring rolls were pretty bland but the peanut sauce made them all right. Great rebound, Saigon Deli. One last point– their vegetarian banh mi has a lot of cilantro in it. Yey for little Asian me, but a potential threat to those unfamiliar with its robust flavor.

This place is pretty amazing. The food was so fast from order to my plate. They were just very laid back and very nice. The food was very very good and «Asian hot» it was all cooked very well.
Not one concern here.

Food. Poisoning.
I was responsible for bringing dinner in for my staff and decided that Banh Mi sandwiches would be both tasty, filling, and priced to move.
All of this would have been true if about 10 members of our team didn’t fall ill to horrible food poisoning (myself included) within a few days of eating the sandwiches.
There are LOTS of options for Banh Mi in the ID. We’ll be taking our business elsewhere.

This place is awesome, I wish there was a place like this in NYC. We stopped by here early in the morning on the way from Seattle to Vancouver. And subsequently from Seattle to Mount Rainier. At the risk of sounding over-​dramatic, it was a life saver as there weren’t many places open at 7:30 in the morning. If you knew me, you would know that breakfast is incredibly important to me during vacations, particularly if I had to wake up early. I wish I took some pictures, we brought so many things, particularly during our trip to Mount Rainier, as I was forewarned about the lack of food in that area. However, it was too early in the morning (for a vacation) for me to think properly :)
My favorite dishes from here:
Three Kinds of Ham + BBQ Ham Bahn Mi — I have been kind of obsessed with bahn-​mi lately, and have eaten my share of them. This one ranked up there, the bread was perfectly crispy and the meat substantial. More importantly, they are only $ 3.50! That’s similar to the price of a grande Starbucks drink!
Vietnamese Summer Rolls — we brought the one with sausages and the one with shrimps. I like the sausage ones better as it has crunchy things inside that were amazing! They were particularly good after a short hike :)
Spring Rolls — crunchy, yummy filling and not oily, the perfect combination for a spring roll, it is also really big. Eat it hot!
Meatball skewer — so delicious! The meat was so flavorful and they even tasted great cold
Fried Banana — the perfect amount of dough and banana, I can have dozens of them
Green spongy cake thingie — not sure the actual name of the dish, but they are green and white, and had the texture of mochi. It was ok, not sure I would get it again
If you live in Seattle, please stop by. We got there too early for the hot food, but the one or two dishes that were on the way out looked so delicious. It is rare to find a place that has amazing food and well-​priced, please support them!

Saigon Deli is by far one of the best places to get a banh mi. Located between the International District and Central District of Seattle, this little gem is surrounded by local (usually family owned) shops, restaurants, nail salons, etc. Although you may miss it driving down the street, I highly suggest turning around and trying some of their amazing food! Plus they have their own parking lot, which is rare for these little shops!
The deli itself offers fresh food such as made-​when-​you-​order banh mis in a variety of choices (e.g. grilled pork, shredded pork, chicken, beef, tofu) as well as full meals. They also offer a variety of dessert options, such as tapioca pudding and root cake!
Although I have only ever had the banh mis here, I can say they are by far some of the best sandwiches in Seattle. The baguettes are always warm with an amazing crunch on the outside, veggies are crisp and are not too hot or spicy, and OMG the meat, it’s always so tasty and juicy! I always eat my food there too fast, because honestly, I just can’t help it!
The staff is always friendly, although I often have a hard time understanding them. I wish I spoke more languages so I could converse with them in their native language, but be open to new experiences, new food, and friendly faces, and this place will win your heart!

Okay, I’ve been here two days in a row, based on a recommendation from a friend. It’s kind of a whole in the wall, but this place was popping and busy both times!
The pork buns are on point (according to my mother in law), my hubby loved the banh mi, kiddos couldn’t get enough of the spring rolls, and I ordered a 2 dish hot meal combo of a beef stew and some eggplant dish with rice. As a hungry woman (I’m preggo) this meal hit the spot! I ate the whole thing up! I appreciate that it wasn’t salty, and that there was no MSG (do restaurants still use that stuff still?). I didn’t get bloated, and I took a freakin awesome nap afterwards! :)
The next day, we were in the area, and i had been craving boba… So we went back in, ordered more pork buns for my mother-​in-​law, got some prewrapped dish with rice and fried/​dried shrimp, and hubby and I both got Taro Tea Boba. Yes! Craving satisfied!
If I’m ever in the International District again, you know where I’m going!

A super casual, hole in a wall place to get good and cheap Banh mi that will keep your stomach full. Each Banh Mi was about $ 3.25 and you can choose whatever filling you want from the list that they have (e.g. chicken, vegetarian, grilled pork, 3 meats, etc).
We happened to order about 4 different fillings for a total of 20 sandwiches for our family gathering. The best flavor, though, was by far the grilled pork… so go for that sandwich!
The place opens at 9am, and boy, even with the 20 sandwiches that we ordered, they were super fast! We got our order in well under 10 minutes. Super speedy! There was an adjacent parking lot to Saigon Deli, too.
Great place to get your Banh Mi fix for a suuuuperrr affordable price!

If you look for real European bread with a asian style filling, COME HERE!
Everyone here works hard to make everything taste fresh and good, at least for the sandwiches I can speak.
I always get the chicken for 3.25 which includes the tax. The chicken here is unlike other place nicely seasoned and shredded. finally topped off with lots of pickled veggies Vietnamese style, along with their special sweet mayo. mwuaah!
BUT THE BREAD IS THE MOST AMAZING!
Don’t visit or live in Seattle with out checking out this place.

This is what a staple of a deli should be. This place is been a corner stone of vietnamese sandwiches for years… decades… or at least as long as I can remember. Is it the cleanest place? hell no. But do they serve some of the best foods around town? hell yes.
I’ve frequented this place since i was a wee-​lad. And it has never disappointed. Between the arguably the best vietnamese sandwiches ($ 3 — 3.50/ea), the $ 5 meal combos, the various snacks, baked goods, and smoothies. This place is awesome.
What makes it even better over the years is now they accept debit/​credit cards. The parking lot is a bit small and sometimes the line can get ridiculous but I assure you it’s worth the wait.
And if you are wondering what a Vietnamese sandwich is… you’ve already failed at life. So go. Go and get one and unfail yourself! get saved!

This place is awesome! It can get crowded but super fast and worth the wait. Friendly staff!
I always order a number 1 pork sandwich and it is fresh and delicious and filling.
All their sandwiches are delicious; meat, veggies and bun are super fresh! They also have a nice selection of pastries along with a large assortment of hot foods.
I love the great international district location. Also, they have a private parking lot if your lucky to find a spot otherwise I have been lucky enough to find parking on the street.
Prices can’t be beat either!!!

$ 3.25 banh mi can’t be beat! Coworkers loved the BBQ pork (#1), tofu banh mi was flavorful as well. Fresh baguette that’s not too crusty, perfectly crispy. Could eat Saigon Deli for days. Lots of Vietnamese hot dishes and house desserts as well — will be back to check it out!
Lunch rush starts shortly before noon, so get here around 11:30 for a quick pick-​up. Fast service. Has its own parking lot, which is über-​convenient.

So I finally came here (1 mile walk from my work) to try their Bahn Mi. I was shocked by how big the sandwiches were, given that they were 3 dollars each (and tax was already included in the price). Without knowing this, I went ahead and ordered 3 sandwiches (all for me lol). I got 3 ham, bbq pork, and shredded pork. There was place to sit and eat so I ended up taking them back to my office. Let’s just say it was the fastest mile I ran in years lol. I couldn’t wait to try them.
Here is the verdict — I liked BBQ pork the best and I actually did not enjoy shredded pork. Their bread was perfectly toasted and each sandwich had a variety of herbs and veggies in them. As mentioned, portions were big for the price and I could not finish all three. I had about half of each and had to waste the rest (I know… I know).
To be honest though, I didn’t feel that this Bahn Mi was that much better than say… SubSand or even Plume (Kirkland). I think where this place really excels is the price.
Cash only.

I was originally planning to visit Paseo (
) at first, but both Paseo locations unexpectedly and abruptly closed on November 11^th and filed bankruptcy on the following day (
). I was really disappointed because Paseo was one of the main reasons why I came to Seattle, but I had to pick somewhere else to fulfill my craving for sandwiches.
As I was looking through various deli shops, I came across this New York Times food blog article (
) stated that Saigon Deli is one of the best 13 Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) in the US. Hey I love banh mi, so I knew I had to give this place a try.
No tables and chairs to sit down and eat. To order, just wait in line and state what banh mi you want. While waiting for your banh mi, you can walk around and get other stuffs like bánh bao, egg rolls, meatballs, sesame balls, and other snacks.
It felt like everyone here is a long-​time customer and knew exactly what he/​she want. To my amazement, even non-​Asian customers used a little bit of Vietnamese to order here. Sadly, I was probably the most confused-​looking person in the whole store.
#3 Banh mi dac biet (three kinds of ham + BBQ ham, $ 3.50): Baguette was a bit cold, but it was toasted very nicely. Banh mi was stuffed with fresh pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and 3~4 slices of jalapeño. Pâté was good and overall it was a banh mi worth to remember. (4.5÷5)
Meatballs (on a stick): Flavorful and delicious. (⁴⁄₅)
Egg roll: Amazing crispy crust — far exceeded my expectations. (⁵⁄₅)
Bánh Bao (steamed bun with pork, sausage, and hard-​boiled egg): Slightly sweet bun packed with meats and egg — good, but probably my least favorite out of all four orders. (3.5÷5)
Overall, Saigon Deli is far better than most Los Angeles banh mi stores that I’ve visited. Solid 4.5 stars on food taste and quality.