Best banh mi sandwiches around, which is saying a lot in this area, especially in Eden Center. No tables; only to go.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vietnamese Meatball
Joanne L.
Hole in the wall spot for Banh Mi. $7 for a sandwich which is very reasonable and seems the standard for Eden Center these days. I got the pate and ham one (#4) - good amount of meat but a little stingy on the pickles and veg. The bread also felt stale and not crunchy on the outside, which is quite rare for my experience at Eden Center's sandwich shops. Hopefully, it's just an off day.
Don Lui
Decent banh mi. Got the classic banh mi and it was ok. Not enough pate, but overall was fresh. It does give you a longer banhmi for 7 bucks but not enough filling. Still prefer huong binh bakery over this.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Larisa Garcia
Got a tofu banh mi with no Mayo and it was so good! The gentleman who took our order was so nice and let us know they have beef and chicken flavored tofu. We got ours no Mayo (vegan) on traditional bread and their pickled veggies and fresh cilantro made me such a happy person. I LOVE Eden Center for its variety, vegan and non-vegan alike!If you’re in the area, definitely stop here for not only a sandwich but so much more. (Also, keep in mind $10 minimum charge for cards!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Sandwich Banh MI Chay
Hannah H.
I've been meaning to try out Nuh Lan Sandwich Shop for a while; the last time I came, they were closed unexpectedly. Since I don't really go out of my way to go to Eden Center, I knew I had to stop by when we were somewhat closeby. Their menu is pretty straightforward in terms of the banh mi sandwiches: 1. Thit Nguoi (assorted cold cut combination) 2. Ga - chicken 3. Xiu Mai - Vietnamese meatball sandwich 4. Pate Cha - Vietnamese ham pate 5. Bi - shredded steamed pork and pork skin 6. Thit Do - Vietnamese red meat (pork) 7. Nem - square sour pork sausage and, 8. Fish Currently, all these sandwiches are priced at $7. I went for the #2, the Ga (chicken) - I did request extra pickled veggies, extra mayo, and NO cilantro; unfortunately, even though this was repeated back to me and confirmed, I still got cilantro. Fortunately, they were easy to pick out, but the 'scent' was kind of on there. The sandwich itself was just okay; the chicken was of larger chunks and tasted fresh - none of that weird off-putting chicken odor to it, thank goodness. It also seemed as if they use some type of butter spread; the hubs wasn't a fan of it, but I didn't particularly mind it. Not sure if there was any mayo in there. The pickled veggies were good, but, again, not sure if they adhered to the customization request for an extra helping. The bread itself could have been more warm and fresh, but we did go later in the evening, so it was a little chewy. The entry way is blocked by a table, so you can't enter; you just place your order, and pay once you receive it. The individual who seemed like the owner, was kind and sweet! The entrance to this indoor vendor place is to the west of the Good Fortune Supermarket; you'll see some folding signs and such, point to the direction; when you enter, just go straight, and it'll be to your left. Plenty of parking in the Eden Center lot. +friendly service +plenty of parking in the Eden Center lot +located east of the Good Fortune Supermarket
Yoonsie Kim
I got the thinner shredded pork and red meat pork banh mi and the quantity of meat was very small. The bread is decent and the price was $7 but I actually prefer other banh mi shops after trying it out here.They only have takeout as of August 11, 2023
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shredded Pork Sandwich Banh MI Bi
Bob W.
Excellent banh mi - we tried chicken, pork and meatball. Might be a shade on the pricy side at $7 each but the quality is high.
Vina H.
I only eat redmeat sandwich here becsuse the others are not too yummy for me. The redmeat however, is GREAT! Each banh mi cost $7 and no buy 5 get free deal anymore. They take about 5-10 minutes to make 3 sandwiches and there are chairs to sit outside and wait for them to make the sandwich since they are not allowing you to go into the store. The husband of the owner are very soft spoken and sweet. The owner is really depends on her mood, she can be rude, but can be really nice at times, depends on when you catch her. They cut the banh mi in half makes it easier to eat (or atleast in my opinion)!
Allie Y.
tried this place on a whim! I went when they first opened up, so the owner was still setting up. she took my order & told me they are no longer offering the buy 5 get 1 free :( I still bought 5 ($7 a sandwich) and the extra pickled veggies ($5). my mom loved the pickled veggies. sandwich was good and we ate all of it within a few days. I'll probably stick with banh mi DC though.
James L.
There are a bunch of places around the DMV which serve up a quality banh mi, many of which I frequent when I'm out and about in my daily life. However, whenever I'm near Eden Center (or at least on a monthly basis) I make sure to pop in to get one of these Viet sammiches at Nhu Lan. To me anyway, Nhu Lan is the grande dame of the banh mi scene in NoVA. I've been patronizing this small shop located in one of the interior hallways of the main Eden Center for over 20+ years. And while other banh mi shops have come and gone, Nhu Lan has been owned and operated by the same family since 1986. How's that for longevity? Pre-pandemic, customers used to be able to walk into the closet sized storefront and place their orders, while also perusing the various homemade pickles, pork rolls (cha lua), fermented tofu cubes, etc. During the pandemic and going forward, there is now a small folding table where customers can place their orders. I understand this precaution, since in such a confined space all it takes is for one or more of the staff to get sick, and then the whole business is impacted. I typically get 1-2 of their "legendary" number one combos. I say "legendary" since this was the sandwich which launched my obsession with banh mi sandwiches oh so many years ago. A baguette is toasted and filled with a shmear of pate, Viet style meats, pickled veggies, and topped with fresh cilantro. What really differentiates Nhu Lan's banh mi is the use of their house Sốt Bơ Trứng (often abbreviated Bo) or Viet style mayo. The main difference between American and Viet style mayo is the omission of lemon juice and the inclusion of a bit more sugar. The result is the spread is a more yellow in appearance (from the egg yolks) and sweeter, which is a nice contrast to the saltiness of the meats. There is a small table outside the shop, along with a few chairs where I will usually enjoy my sandwich while it's still warm. That first bite allows me to taste all of the contrasting sweet/salty flavors along with the different textures of the soft bread and crunchy veggies. Nhu Lan has had to change with the times, like all restaurants. Gone is the "Buy Five, get One sandwich" free deal. And of course, the sandwiches are no longer $2.50 like they once were back in 2006. But even at $7/sandwich (as of this review), it's still on par with what other places charge. When I mention to friends and work colleagues that I still hit up Nhu Lan, they often suggest trying other "newer" places - which again, I do depending on where I'm at on any given day. But partly for nostalgia, but mainly cuz I think they have a quality product, I'll always come back to Nhu Lan.
I was looking for a classic Bánh Mi and instead received a sandwich which was nothing of that sort. I ate the shredded pork with pickled cabbage. The cabbage was cold but so was the pork. The bread was overwhelming. No hoisin sauce. Food contains dairy. The entrance was wheelchair accessible but cramped. No quality seating. Restaurant offers take out only.
W W
I was looking for a classic Bánh Mi and instead received a sandwich which was nothing of that sort. I ate the shredded pork with pickled cabbage. The cabbage was cold but so was the pork. The bread was overwhelming. No hoisin sauce. Food contains dairy. The entrance was wheelchair accessible but cramped. No quality seating. Restaurant offers take out only.
I L
Note: As of December 2022, you need to order by phone and they'll bring your food out to a table that's blocking the door.Service was quick, order was accurate, and food was tasty. They also put enough toppings in my takeout bag for all my sandwiches (some places skimp). The price also includes tax, so it's easy to do the math and you're less likely to get ripped off (unlike other places that shall remain nameless...)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles, Headcheese
Jenn Tran
fresh toppings, still quality while other banh mi places have not kept up
Harley S.
Quality banh mi for $7 (tax included). Cash only. The selection is very limited, the meat portion on the sandwich is very minimal, and the price is higher than at other places. BUT the roll is stellar -- crisp and warm and large, and the flavors are on point.
Best banh mi sandwiches around, which is saying a lot in this area, especially in Eden Center. No tables; only to go.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vietnamese Meatball
Hole in the wall spot for Banh Mi. $7 for a sandwich which is very reasonable and seems the standard for Eden Center these days. I got the pate and ham one (#4) - good amount of meat but a little stingy on the pickles and veg. The bread also felt stale and not crunchy on the outside, which is quite rare for my experience at Eden Center's sandwich shops. Hopefully, it's just an off day.
Decent banh mi. Got the classic banh mi and it was ok. Not enough pate, but overall was fresh. It does give you a longer banhmi for 7 bucks but not enough filling. Still prefer huong binh bakery over this.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Got a tofu banh mi with no Mayo and it was so good! The gentleman who took our order was so nice and let us know they have beef and chicken flavored tofu. We got ours no Mayo (vegan) on traditional bread and their pickled veggies and fresh cilantro made me such a happy person. I LOVE Eden Center for its variety, vegan and non-vegan alike!If you’re in the area, definitely stop here for not only a sandwich but so much more. (Also, keep in mind $10 minimum charge for cards!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Sandwich Banh MI Chay
I've been meaning to try out Nuh Lan Sandwich Shop for a while; the last time I came, they were closed unexpectedly. Since I don't really go out of my way to go to Eden Center, I knew I had to stop by when we were somewhat closeby. Their menu is pretty straightforward in terms of the banh mi sandwiches: 1. Thit Nguoi (assorted cold cut combination) 2. Ga - chicken 3. Xiu Mai - Vietnamese meatball sandwich 4. Pate Cha - Vietnamese ham pate 5. Bi - shredded steamed pork and pork skin 6. Thit Do - Vietnamese red meat (pork) 7. Nem - square sour pork sausage and, 8. Fish Currently, all these sandwiches are priced at $7. I went for the #2, the Ga (chicken) - I did request extra pickled veggies, extra mayo, and NO cilantro; unfortunately, even though this was repeated back to me and confirmed, I still got cilantro. Fortunately, they were easy to pick out, but the 'scent' was kind of on there. The sandwich itself was just okay; the chicken was of larger chunks and tasted fresh - none of that weird off-putting chicken odor to it, thank goodness. It also seemed as if they use some type of butter spread; the hubs wasn't a fan of it, but I didn't particularly mind it. Not sure if there was any mayo in there. The pickled veggies were good, but, again, not sure if they adhered to the customization request for an extra helping. The bread itself could have been more warm and fresh, but we did go later in the evening, so it was a little chewy. The entry way is blocked by a table, so you can't enter; you just place your order, and pay once you receive it. The individual who seemed like the owner, was kind and sweet! The entrance to this indoor vendor place is to the west of the Good Fortune Supermarket; you'll see some folding signs and such, point to the direction; when you enter, just go straight, and it'll be to your left. Plenty of parking in the Eden Center lot. +friendly service +plenty of parking in the Eden Center lot +located east of the Good Fortune Supermarket
I got the thinner shredded pork and red meat pork banh mi and the quantity of meat was very small. The bread is decent and the price was $7 but I actually prefer other banh mi shops after trying it out here.They only have takeout as of August 11, 2023
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shredded Pork Sandwich Banh MI Bi
Excellent banh mi - we tried chicken, pork and meatball. Might be a shade on the pricy side at $7 each but the quality is high.
I only eat redmeat sandwich here becsuse the others are not too yummy for me. The redmeat however, is GREAT! Each banh mi cost $7 and no buy 5 get free deal anymore. They take about 5-10 minutes to make 3 sandwiches and there are chairs to sit outside and wait for them to make the sandwich since they are not allowing you to go into the store. The husband of the owner are very soft spoken and sweet. The owner is really depends on her mood, she can be rude, but can be really nice at times, depends on when you catch her. They cut the banh mi in half makes it easier to eat (or atleast in my opinion)!
tried this place on a whim! I went when they first opened up, so the owner was still setting up. she took my order & told me they are no longer offering the buy 5 get 1 free :( I still bought 5 ($7 a sandwich) and the extra pickled veggies ($5). my mom loved the pickled veggies. sandwich was good and we ate all of it within a few days. I'll probably stick with banh mi DC though.
There are a bunch of places around the DMV which serve up a quality banh mi, many of which I frequent when I'm out and about in my daily life. However, whenever I'm near Eden Center (or at least on a monthly basis) I make sure to pop in to get one of these Viet sammiches at Nhu Lan. To me anyway, Nhu Lan is the grande dame of the banh mi scene in NoVA. I've been patronizing this small shop located in one of the interior hallways of the main Eden Center for over 20+ years. And while other banh mi shops have come and gone, Nhu Lan has been owned and operated by the same family since 1986. How's that for longevity? Pre-pandemic, customers used to be able to walk into the closet sized storefront and place their orders, while also perusing the various homemade pickles, pork rolls (cha lua), fermented tofu cubes, etc. During the pandemic and going forward, there is now a small folding table where customers can place their orders. I understand this precaution, since in such a confined space all it takes is for one or more of the staff to get sick, and then the whole business is impacted. I typically get 1-2 of their "legendary" number one combos. I say "legendary" since this was the sandwich which launched my obsession with banh mi sandwiches oh so many years ago. A baguette is toasted and filled with a shmear of pate, Viet style meats, pickled veggies, and topped with fresh cilantro. What really differentiates Nhu Lan's banh mi is the use of their house Sốt Bơ Trứng (often abbreviated Bo) or Viet style mayo. The main difference between American and Viet style mayo is the omission of lemon juice and the inclusion of a bit more sugar. The result is the spread is a more yellow in appearance (from the egg yolks) and sweeter, which is a nice contrast to the saltiness of the meats. There is a small table outside the shop, along with a few chairs where I will usually enjoy my sandwich while it's still warm. That first bite allows me to taste all of the contrasting sweet/salty flavors along with the different textures of the soft bread and crunchy veggies. Nhu Lan has had to change with the times, like all restaurants. Gone is the "Buy Five, get One sandwich" free deal. And of course, the sandwiches are no longer $2.50 like they once were back in 2006. But even at $7/sandwich (as of this review), it's still on par with what other places charge. When I mention to friends and work colleagues that I still hit up Nhu Lan, they often suggest trying other "newer" places - which again, I do depending on where I'm at on any given day. But partly for nostalgia, but mainly cuz I think they have a quality product, I'll always come back to Nhu Lan.
Restaurantji Recommends
I was looking for a classic Bánh Mi and instead received a sandwich which was nothing of that sort. I ate the shredded pork with pickled cabbage. The cabbage was cold but so was the pork. The bread was overwhelming. No hoisin sauce. Food contains dairy. The entrance was wheelchair accessible but cramped. No quality seating. Restaurant offers take out only.
I was looking for a classic Bánh Mi and instead received a sandwich which was nothing of that sort. I ate the shredded pork with pickled cabbage. The cabbage was cold but so was the pork. The bread was overwhelming. No hoisin sauce. Food contains dairy. The entrance was wheelchair accessible but cramped. No quality seating. Restaurant offers take out only.
Note: As of December 2022, you need to order by phone and they'll bring your food out to a table that's blocking the door.Service was quick, order was accurate, and food was tasty. They also put enough toppings in my takeout bag for all my sandwiches (some places skimp). The price also includes tax, so it's easy to do the math and you're less likely to get ripped off (unlike other places that shall remain nameless...)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickles, Headcheese
fresh toppings, still quality while other banh mi places have not kept up
Quality banh mi for $7 (tax included). Cash only. The selection is very limited, the meat portion on the sandwich is very minimal, and the price is higher than at other places. BUT the roll is stellar -- crisp and warm and large, and the flavors are on point.