Street Food Yum - Banh Mi Bros

One of the only Vietnamese Banh Mi (bread) places that I have seen in Korea is this Banh Mi Bros food truck in Itaewon. Heck, it is even one of the only food trucks that I have seen in Korea. It was an automatic given to grab a sandwich when I laid eyes on the enormous "Banh Mi" sign. 

Banh Mi is a Vietnamese bread served with vegetables, meat, and a Vietnamese paste. Every restaurant's bread varies with the types of ingredients used and one of the best breads is that in Chinatown, New York under the Brooklyn Bridge. Nonetheless, Banh Mi Bros was able to satisfy my temporary craving in Korea for the Vietnamese bread.

The bread is still warm when served, with sweet and sour vegetables as well as fresh vegetables. The meat is cooked fresh in the truck so you know you are getting the real deal. The best part about this sandwich is it being available at a late hour, perfect for those who are looking for a midnight snack, especially after a night of partying in Itaewon. 

Because ingredients are a bit difficult to get in Korea, there were some alterations made to the traditional bread. For just $5, it is an extremely cheap eat that can fill you up and "bring you back home" for a moment of comfort food. Be sure to look out for one of the only food trucks in Korea and grab a sample of the Vietnamese traditional eat!

Restaurant Review - Pho Mein

Pho Mein is a Vietnamese pho noodle chain in Korea that helps to temporarily satisfy my pho cravings in Korea. Pho Mein is a chain, the service is extremely quick and the restaurant is on the higher end of the market. Although there is such good service and the dishes are relatively close to traditional pho noodles, there is still a Korean touch to their foods.

Like any other Korean restaurant, they serve pickled radish along with their dishes. In addition to this, their "summer rolls" consists of the Korean rice noodle, imitation crab meat, pickled radish, cucumber, carrot, lettuce, and the traditional Vietnamese beef. Dipped in a peanut sauce, the summer roll stands on its own for a Korean-Vietnamese restaurant.

Most importantly, Pho Mein carries all of the must haves for the pho noodle which includes the Sriracha and hoisin sauce which I had to drown my noodles in. It felt great to finally have a bowl of pho noodles and although it is noting like those back at home, it'll have to do for someone who does not have all the materials to make her own pho noodle in Korea. 

Restaurant Review - Bo Ky Restaurant

Bo Ky Restaurant 

(212) 406-2292

80 Bayard St

New York, NY 10013

A well-known cheap eats spot for Chinese-Vietnamese infused foods. Bo Ky is known for their duck, a must order in their restaurant that is paired with a homemade vinegar-based sauce. You can order the duck as a whole to consume with your entree if eating with a big group, or pair it with some grains. The popular dishes to order with duck are the flat noodle soup and the dry egg noodle. A few of their other popular dishes include the fish wonton soup noodle and the combination fish ball or seafood soup noodle. 

Bo Ky is a place for cheap eats and although this restaurant looks extremely old and run down, the food is absolutely amazing. The service is usually quick, almost immediate so you can ensure you'll be eating in no time. The staff is friendly, but can be a bit slow when there isn't a packed house. There's no system of service there, so try to get the attention of anyone that you can. If you're not comfortable with eating in the restaurant, be sure to order the duck as an extra dish for dinner!