A crunchy baguette, marinated protein, tangy pickled vegetables and fresh herbs is what I call a perfect sub. My beloved Banh Mi. I get one of you at least twice a month for $3.00 in Chinatown. The Bon Me Food Truck can be found near South Station at Dewey Square, City Hall Plaza, Copley Plaza and at the Sowa Market. Diners have a choice of several Vietnamese and Japanese fusion options including a banh mi Vietnamese french baguette sandwich $6, rice or noodle salad.

Each carbohydrate medium has pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, cilantro and onion. For proteins there are the choices of chicken, pork or tofu and shitake.

The tri-owners have some hefty pedigrees including Wall Street and the CIA before they founded the yellow food truck. What I do find intriguing is that a majority of Banh Mi shop and owners are not of Vietnamese descent, but of Chinese or Korean origin. Of the 4-5 store fronts in Chinatown, few or Vietnamese. Either way, the owners know a good business proposition when they see one.

The order window with chopsticks and sriracha “rooster” chili sauce. 

We tried a refreshing thai iced tea, sweet and milky $2.50.

Cold Rao’s Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk $2.50. I have dripped Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk and the strength of the concentrated coffee with sticky creamy milk is a great combination.

 The chicken banh mi was $6 and the bread was lightly toasted, full of picked vegetables and cilantro and tender marinated chicken. When compared to a Chinatown $3 banh mi, the Bon Me banh mi is relatively similar.

I like the additional options of tea eggs, edamame sides, as well as cold beverages, teas and coffees. I want to try the thai basil limeade sometime and the other banh mi sandwiches. I wish they had bbq beef, which is my favorite filing in my banh mi versus the traditional cold meats and pate.