At Banh Mi Haven in Kanata, the baguettes emerge from the oven piping hot, seconds before your order. When sliced open, steam wafts from the crisp shell and light, airy crumb. This one-year-old Vietnamese sandwich shop in a Hazeldean Road strip mall has become a destination for Vietnamese foodies across Ottawa.
Fresh Ingredients and House-Made Condiments
The $8 sandwiches feature impeccable house-baked bread, made fresh daily. Owner-operator Theresa Nguyen also prepares garnishes and condiments in-house, including pickled carrot and daikon strips, Vietnamese mayo made with deep-fried shallots and fish sauce, and even churned butter for maximum freshness. Chopped chilies add optional heat.
Options include a classic banh mi with assorted Vietnamese cold cuts and pâté, a pork floss sandwich with shredded meat and pâté, and barbecue pork or chicken banh mi—the latter being pâté-free unless requested. The classic is a top-seller among Vietnamese expat regulars.
Affordable Pricing Rooted in Tradition
Despite the high standards, each sandwich costs just $8, payable in cash or by e-transfer. “People say you can charge more, but for me, banh mi is street food in Vietnam that everyone can afford,” Nguyen says. “Banh mi is like, everyone can have it and it can fill up your belly.”
Nguyen, 42, came to Ottawa from Vietnam 18 years ago. She worked as a hairdresser in Barrhaven for years before the COVID-19 pandemic led her to focus on baking. “It’s a part of my memory,” she says. She grew up eating banh mi for breakfast or dinner; her aunt ran a banh mi stand in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City.
From Online Learning to Culinary Training
Nguyen initially learned banh mi-making from online sources. “I just learned and practised and tried to make the perfect one,” she says. She later enrolled in Algonquin College’s two-year baking program. “It’s just so much fun. When I successfully make the bread, I want to share it with people. I want to share my happiness with people.”
Banh Mi Haven’s dedication to quality and affordability has made it a hidden gem in Ottawa’s west end, drawing customers from across the city for an authentic taste of Vietnamese street food.
