Little Chili Banh Mi

Review

Little Chili Banh Mi is at No. 318 Xinyi South Street in South District, diagonally across from Stall D-39 of the Third Market, and is run by a Vietnamese proprietress. Supertaste has repeatedly put it on its list of Third Market must-eats, one blogger called it among the best banh mi in Taichung, and it is the market's most visible queue.

The baguette is crisp outside and soft inside, spread with butter and house-made pork liver pâté, then stuffed with hand-shredded house-braised pork, Vietnamese ham, house-pickled sweet-sour radish, crunchy cucumber and cilantro, finished with a special braising sauce. Reports say it is packed tight with barely any gaps; the braised pork is savory, the pickled radish cuts the richness, and the seasoning differs from other shops. You can choose whether to add chili, and bloggers think it tastes better with it; the shop will also cut it in half for sharing. The price has gone from NT$80 in 2022 to NT$95 in recent years.

Most diners say it is generously filled and full of layers, worth a special trip. The dissenting points are mainly that the balance between pickles and meat is off, and that each one is made to order, so service is slow.

The biggest challenge is the queue: on weekdays and weekends alike there is a long line from opening, a photo caption says to expect at least half an hour, one blogger waited over an hour, and it often sells out before noon. Listings show sales from 7:30 a.m. until sold out, closed Tuesdays. Map pins differ slightly between sources, so just head for the area near Section D of the Third Market; it is a traditional market, best reached by scooter or on foot.

It suits early risers willing to queue for an authentic Vietnamese breakfast. Arrive before opening, order the combination with chili, and ask for it to be cut in half if two people are sharing; while you wait, browse the Third Market's other snacks, such as the old bakery in the lane nearby.