We’ve been conditioned to believe that a long queue outside a restaurant is an indicator of quality.
Often documented on social media and shared by brands and influencers to build hype, it creates a feeling that we must visit, and a fear of missing out, even if the product itself is distinctly average.
I count myself as part of the problem. I write updates and share videos of meandering queues weekly, as viral food and drink brands land in Manchester.
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But the point is that some of these concepts are great and others are just ok. Meanwhile, the places without a queue sometimes get overlooked – but it’s here that you often find some of the most life-affirming food and service.
In a time before social media, word-of-mouth did the heavy lifting, as friends, family or colleagues passed on recommendations based on actual experiences rather than a reel they had seen on TikTok. Luckily, there’s still people sharing the best places that might not be appearing on our feeds – or attracting huge queues.
Recently, a few people had mentioned a new Banh Mi spot on Wilmslow Road and that I might like to give it a try.
Probably one of my favourite lunchtime staples, Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that encompasses a light and soft baguette packed with savoury meats, fresh herbs and tangy pickled vegetables.
You can add and subtract ingredients as you like if you’re making it at home, but purists will say it must have a healthy spread of pork liver pate, rich mayonnaise and sprinkle of jalapeno peppers for that extra level of decadence.
Despite its quantity of ingredients it’s a simple dish, but for it to be any good it needs to be executed properly – no skimping on potions – and always making the most of great produce.
Manchester has a thriving Vietnamese food scene, anchored in large part by the plethora of authentic businesses along Oldham Road In Ancoats, which is often affectionately dubbed the city’s Little Vietnam.
It’s here that you can stock up on pantry staples, heal yourself with steaming bowls of Pho, and cure a weary head with a Vietnamese coffee. Fortunately, there’s also a number of Vietnamese restaurants and cafes springing up across Greater Manchester including the Banh Mi 782 on Wilmslow Road.
As far as I could tell, they’re not on social media and the menu, at present, focuses solely on a selection of Banh Mi and Vietnamese coffee. Bar a few posts on TikTok from food bloggers and influencers, its digital footprint is almost non-existent – but the Google Reviews are all very complimentary.
There was no queue when we visited on a Wednesday evening and only a handful of customers popped in for a takeaway sandwich – which made me feel like I’d actually stumbled across a hidden gem, for want of a better expression.
I’d love for them to be busy, but compared to long queues, being wedged into a cafe like a sardine, and those never-ending waiting times, it was pure joy to have the restaurant to ourselves. It’s low profile also means I’ll still be able to visit without the drawbacks that social media popularity bring too.
There were no flourishes when it came to decor, just a few flags and a Banh Mi stand where you make your order – they simply let the food do the talking.
Traditional Vietnamese baguettes here are filled with all the staples mentioned previously as well as a secret sauce, which intrigued me. There’s eight options spanning fillings including traditional ham, grilled beef fillet, chargrilled roast pork, duck, cold cuts, and tofu and veggie.
We tried out the roast crispy pork belly (£7.80) and lemongrass crispy chicken (£6.90), washed back with a light and crisp Hanoi beer and a much-needed Vietnamese coffee (£4) made with condensed milk. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, the baguette was the perfect vehicle for the large strips of crispy chicken slathered in mayonnaise, topped with chicken floss and a couple of jalepenos.
It was a challenge to eat, but a delight at the same time, the fresh cucumber, spring onions, chilli, coriander and pickles provided that sharp contrast with the juicy chicken and rich sauce. There wasn’t a load of pate on this one, but the pork belly variety was a bit more generous on that front.
If I were to pick between the two, it would be the crispy pork belly. Huge chunks of juicy, tender and perfectly cooked meat can cure the worst of days, and this take did just that. There might be too much going on for some people, perhaps it’s a little heavy on the mayonnaise, but if you want a decadent sandwich, you may as well do it properly.
Great value for what you get, and none of the queues or social media hysteria means you can actually enjoy the food that is put in front of you. I’d love it if remains a hidden gem but I also hope that more people take a punt and try one of the best Banh Mi spots in Manchester.
782 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DR
