The city of New Orleans is a phenomenon in motion, shaped by a multitude of languages, cultures and communities over hundreds of years. It has not only a 306-year history, but also a unique culinary identity born from the intersection of Cajun and Creole cuisine. 

Though Cajun and Creole cooking are the foundation of New Orleans’ historic fare, that identity is constantly shaped by all who call the city home. For many generations, it has been shaped by new culinary influences beyond its Cajun and Creole roots, particularly that of its Vietnamese community. 

Following the end of the Vietnam War, New Orleans became home to Vietnamese families who immigrated to the region as refugees. Like many other immigrant communities in the city, they brought with them a series of cooking techniques and dishes that would become the next facet of contemporary New Orleanian cuisine. Over the years, one dish has offered a unique overlap between Cajun, Creole and Vietnamese cooking: the bánh mì sandwich, also known as bánh mì thịt. 

Like the po’boy of New Orleans, bánh mì thịt is characterized by baguette-like bread served as a submarine sandwich filled with savory ingredients and sauces. Both are partially the result of the influence of French cuisine during French colonial occupation. The culinary convergence of the bánh mì sandwich served as a bridge between Vietnamese and Cajun-Creole cuisine throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Today, Vietnamese restaurants are extremely common in New Orleans, forming a key part of its modern culinary identity. To honor this aspect of the city and its cuisine, here are some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the greater New Orleans area: 

Mint Modern Vietnamese 

The first restaurant on this list is Mint Modern Vietnamese, located on Freret Street. Situated roughly a 15-minute walk from Tulane University’s Uptown campus, the restaurant blends traditional Vietnamese cuisine with contemporary dishes inspired by a range of culinary influences — among them, Chinese-American and Australian-American cuisine. Though meat eaters are sure to be satisfied by their fare, Mint Modern also offers a range of vegetarian and vegan options, presenting an affordable menu that emphasizes both financial and dietary accessibility. With a cozy and inviting atmosphere, Mint Modern offers an experience as comforting as its signature pho bowls. 

Banh Mi Boys  

Located further from campus is Banh Mi Boys, an establishment that specializes in its delicious namesake. With a wide range of sweet and savory options, this restaurant features a myriad of bánh mì thịt, vermicelli bowls and other dishes that combine traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques with contemporary New Orleanian tastes. With affordable prices and a convenient location, Banh Mi Boys features some of the greatest bánh mì in the city. 

Le’s Baguette 

The third and final restaurant on this list is  Le’s Baguette Banh Mi Cafe, serving sandwiches and traditional Vietnamese fare. Like Mint Modern and Banh Mi Boys, Le’s Baguette features a range of dishes influenced by Chinese-American and Taiwanese cuisines, striking harmony between fusion cuisine and its Vietnamese culinary roots. Presenting a unique combination of cuisines and flavors, Le’s Baguette is a truly special experience. 

New Orleans is hardly a static place, ever-changing and ever-expanding in its cultural and culinary identity. Just as we all grow and broaden our horizons, so too is the cuisine of New Orleans shifting and expanding. Like the Cajun and Creole cuisine from which New Orleans’ culinary identity originates, Vietnamese cuisine forms an integral part of what makes this city unique.