Banh Mi. Yummy.

Banh mi - or as we say in Philly - a Vietnamese hoagie - is the ultimate fusion cheap street food.  A hoagie - Philadelphia's version of a sub sandwich - long soft roll, filled with meat, veg, and condiments - is a Philadelphia specialty.  Italian hoagies are a particular regional delicacy from the Old World - filled with the best Italian cured meats (salami, cappicola, prosciutto) cheese (a nice sharp provolone), lettuce, tomato and splashed with oil and vinegar (never mayo - oh horror!) on a Sarcone's long roll.

But a fabulous twist on the hoagie has become popular in Philadelphia and other cities.  This Banh mi - Vietnamese sandwich - is filled with pulled chicken, crisp carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and a fishy aioli was fresh-delish.  A pulled pork version is available, as is a vegetarian one with tofu and crunchy fresh Asian vegetables like daikon.  We lunched at this two-seater hole-in-the-wall today before heading back to DC - Cafe Nuh y (806 Christian Street, Philadelphia).   Other options around the city are reviewed here in Philadelphia Weekly.  Yum.