The bacon banh mi sandwich at Banh Mi Ba Le can be a curious specimen for those who might be expecting a more Western approach to bacon. To be sure, most people in America have probably never seen this Vietnamese take on the almighty pork belly, which at Banh Mi Ba Le features a bright red tint, immediately reminiscent of Chinese barbecue. The bacon itself — known as Thit Nuong (just order the #6 sandwich if your Vietnamese is rusty) — resembles a technicolor pastrami more than it resembles the classic smoked and cured versions of American slab bacon. It’s different, but good. Best of all, the banh mi sandwiches at Banh Mi Ba Le are just $2.50 each.
