NVM Review

By Warren Rojas

I have several friends who could happily subsist on pho for the rest of their lives. My appreciation for Vietnamese street food, on the other hand, tends to tilt more towards the baguette-filled delicacies known as bahn mi.

Much like the many other ethnic bakeries to be found strewn about Falls Church, Bahn Mi D.C. specializes in exotic sweets (durian-wintermelon-mung bean cakes, anyone?) and savory sandwiches.

Their sandwich board touts two dozen flavor combinations—including staples like sour ham, grilled meatball and barbecued pork belly (thick, fire engine-red strips of zesty swine)—all under $3.50. All sandwiches are dressed with pickled radishes, cucumber, hot peppers, freshly torn cilantro and mayonnaise.

A shredded-pork number is remarkably spicy, delivering to the palate wispy strands of air-dried pig (not at all desiccated like jerky; more like fiery cotton candy) that’s sauce-free yet flavorful.

Creamed sardines are even more enticing, infusing the traditionally oily fish with some underlying heat to contrast with the accompanying sour vegetable mix (a terrific seafood change-up).

Meanwhile, the shop owners keep their bulk shoppers happy with a standing “buy-five-get-one-free” deal.