Hiawatha, Iowa, has welcomed its first Vietnamese sandwich shop, Yummy Banh Mi, aiming to tantalize local taste buds beyond the familiar realm of pho. Since its opening in June, the establishment, located at the former site of The Breakfast Bar, has carved a niche for itself with a thoughtfully curated menu featuring sandwiches, vegetarian soups, and an array of Vietnamese coffee and tea specialties.
Owner Lisa Nguyen, who spent her formative years in Vietnam and has lived most of her life in Iowa, envisioned Yummy Banh Mi as a cultural bridge, bringing diversity and authentic flavors to the local community.
Yummy Banh Mi addresses a common concern Nguyen observed in other establishments offering banh mi. Many claimed to serve the iconic Vietnamese sandwich but fell short by using regular sliced bread instead of the distinctive French-style baguette. At Yummy Banh Mi, each sandwich is a tribute to the traditional banh mi experience, featuring a French baguette with a thin, crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior. The warm sandwiches come adorned with mild pickled Daikon carrots, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno, and cucumber spears.
Setting itself apart from typical tea shops, Yummy Banh Mi offers a robust selection of food to complement its beverages. The drink menu boasts milk and fruit teas, with options like jasmine, taro, peach, strawberry, blueberry, and watermelon. Customers can savor their drinks with a variety of fresh tapioca boba, popping boba, and flavored jellies.
In addition to the enticing tea options, Yummy Banh Mi introduces Vietnamese coffee specialties, highlighting drip coffee prepared in a style reminiscent of French press. Noteworthy choices include egg coffee, delivering a foamy head with egg yolk and condensed milk. Customers have the flexibility to customize sugar levels at the counter before preparation.
Lisa Nguyen’s journey to Yummy Banh Mi is a testament to her passion for Vietnamese cuisine and her desire to share it with the Cedar Rapids community. Having lived in Cedar Rapids for about 20 years, Nguyen draws from her childhood experiences assisting her grandmother in a small restaurant on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Now, as a 33-year-old former nail salon technician turned restaurateur, Nguyen aims to not only satisfy appetites but also foster cultural understanding and curiosity among locals. Yummy Banh Mi is more than a sandwich shop; it’s a culinary voyage bringing authentic Vietnamese flavors to the heart of Hiawatha.
