Vinh Xuong Bakery Address: 2370 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Introduction
Picture of Vinh Xuong Bakery. https://www.tripadvisor.com/. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33388-d15100820-Reviews-Vinh_Xuong_Bakery-Denver_Colorado.html
The Vietnamese food scene in Denver has really boomed in the last few years. From mom-and-pop shops to larger dining establishments, finding quality Vietnamese food is easier than ever. Vinh Xuong Bakery has emerged as one of the top places to get some Vietnamese food, especially a great Banh Mi sandwich. A Banh Mi consists of a french baguette, usually filled with pickled veggies and some protein ranging from sweet pork to sardines. The crunchy, airy baguette along with the flavorful vegetables and proteins not only work to create a delicious sandwich, but also a fantastic culmination of French and Vietnamese influence.
Vinh Xuong has two locations in Denver. One focuses more on baked goods and desserts, while the other, the one I visited, focuses more on Banh Mis. People who have sought out the best Banh Mis in Denver surely know about Vinh Xuong. According to 303Magazine, Eater, and Westword, Vinh Xuong ranks as one of the top places to get a Banh Mi sandwich in all of Denver.
The Experience
Once again the true dining experience at Vinh Xuong was masked by Covid regulations. Vinh Xuong has been taking all of the Covid protocols very seriously and only accepts phone call orders for the time being. Regardless, their service was seriously fast. Once I arrived, I called in to place my order, and within three minutes, one of the workers was coming out to my car to let me know that my order was ready. Altogether, they were able to make orders at a very fast pace, while still making sure to keep everyone safe.
The Food
Banh Mis
When visiting, I really wanted to get the full Vinh Xuong Banh Mi experience. I decided to get 3 different Banh Mis: a combination Banh Mi, which included cold cut BBQ pork, ham, and pork souse (pickled pork) with pate; a lemongrass marinated sweet pork Banh Mi; and a roast chicken Banh Mi. Each sandwich came with mayo, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, jalapenos, cilantro, soy sauce, and pepper. What I love most about a Banh Mi is its freshness. The bright pickled veggies and cucumber bring a refreshing component in contrast to the richness of the meat. The jalapeno adds some kick and the cilantro provides an earthy and citrusy element.
The combination Banh Mi Was my personal favorite. The BBQ pork, ham, and pork souse were all pretty subtly flavored and did not step on each other’s toes. This was my first time ever trying pork souse, and I was very delighted. It reminded me of a Russian meat called head cheese, a jelly or terrine made up of pork head and beef. The lemongrass pork was also quite tasty. The pork was covered in a sweet hoisin-style glaze and the lemongrass flavor really stood out. My only critique was that the meat was almost a little too sweet. I was craving a savory kick from the pork, but it just wasn’t there. The chicken Banh Mi was enjoyable, as well. The chicken had a nice savory flavor from its soy sauce-based marinade. It also had the citrusy aroma signature to lemongrass. The chicken, however, was dry, but it did not deter from the bright flavors of the sandwich.
Sweet Treats
I decided to treat myself while I was there. Being a coffee lover, there is nothing better than a delicious Vietnamese coffee. It was sweet, rich, and bitter – everything you could want from an iced coffee drink.
I also got a mung bean moon cake. A moon cake is a Chinese dessert popularly eaten during the Mid-Autumn festival. It consists of a dough filled with a wide variety of fillings such as mung bean paste, salted egg yolks, red bean paste, and more. Just as a disclaimer, moon cakes are an acquired taste. They run the fine line between being sweet and savory. The mung bean paste is sweet but also has a very distinct salty and nutty after taste that is mildly off-putting. If you want to try a moon cake, Vinh Xuong is a great place to get one, but it is just such a specific flavor that I honestly did not enjoy too much.
Overall
Vinh Xuong Bakery is a great joint in Denver serving high-quality Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches. They have a wide variety of Banh Mis, drinks, and baked goods all for a very reasonable price. If you are in the mood for a delicious sandwich, maybe skip Subway or Jimmy Johns and head on over to Vinh Xuong. Although their chicken was slightly dry, and their pork a little too sweet, in general, Vinh Xuong Bakery is an awesome place to get a really solid Banh Mi. My rating is 4.2 stars out of 5.
If you enjoyed this restaurant review, check out my last review on Third Culture Bakery, a delicious bakery making butter mochi pastries and matcha drinks.