Key Takeaways
- A Facebook group, Vietnamese Bánh Mì Appreciation Society, has played a significant role in reinvigorating Australia’s love for Vietnamese baguettes.
- The group has over 155,000 members who review and recommend bánh mì across Australia.
- Social media has helped boost the profile of Vietnamese bakeries, with many going viral and attracting long queues.
- Sydney’s Vietnamese communities, such as Cabramatta, Marrickville, and Ryde, are hubs for delicious bánh mì.
- The appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine and bánh mì has been growing among non-Vietnamese Sydneysiders in recent years.
Introduction to Bánh Mì Appreciation
The love for bánh mì is evident in the long queues snaking outside of bakeries across Sydney, particularly in suburbs like Cabramatta, Marrickville, and Ryde. Nine years ago, Rowan from Sydney’s inner west started the Facebook group Vietnamese Bánh Mì Appreciation Society on a whim, which has now grown to over 155,000 members. The group reviews and recommends bánh mì across Australia, from spots in Sydney’s thriving Vietnamese communities to Queensland’s Darra and the Parap Markets in Darwin. Members regularly rate the crispiness of the baguettes, the pickled carrots and freshness of the coriander, chillies, and cucumber, the umami of the pâté, and the level of flavor punch from the protein of choice.
The Power of Social Media
Social media has played a significant role in boosting the profile of Vietnamese bakeries. Sue Nguyen’s family started Marrickville Pork Roll in 2008, and seventeen years later, they continue to sell bánh mì from their inner west bakery and multiple other locations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even previously shared an Instagram photo of himself having a baguette at the shop, which sits in his electorate. The traditional roll with cold cuts remains a favorite among the Vietnamese contingent of their customer base, with the crackling pork belly a staple among other visitors. Kim Seng, whose family runs Top Ryde Baker’s House, has been serving their baguettes to the community for 15 years, and one recent TikTok review has 1.5 million views alone.
Sydney’s Vietnamese Hub
Sydney’s Vietnamese communities, such as Cabramatta, are hubs for delicious bánh mì. With multiple Vietnamese bakeries thriving in south-west Sydney, Tony’s Bakery has two generations of family members running their business. Manager Angela Truong said, "We’ve noticed a growing appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine among Sydneysiders in recent years. It’s wonderful to see more people of all diverse backgrounds embracing not just the culture but also the vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients that make Vietnamese food so special." The crispy pork roll is a favorite among customers at this Cabramatta bread shop, and the bakery has customers who travel from different suburbs, states, and even overseas to try their bánh mì after seeing them online.
The Impact of the Vietnamese Community
The Vietnamese community has noticed an increase in awareness of their culture’s cuisine among non-Vietnamese Sydneysiders. NSW Chapter of the Vietnamese Community in Australia president Peter Thang Ha said, "In the beginning, bánh mì bread shops were the main source of income for a lot of new Vietnamese migrants to Australia. We are now marking the 50th anniversary of this first wave of migrants coming here." Bánh mì is one of many success stories within the Vietnamese community, bringing additional flavor to the multicultural society of Australia. The appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine and bánh mì has been growing among non-Vietnamese Sydneysiders in recent years, and social media has played a significant role in promoting the culture and cuisine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Vietnamese Bánh Mì Appreciation Society has played a significant role in reinvigorating Australia’s love for Vietnamese baguettes. Social media has helped boost the profile of Vietnamese bakeries, and Sydney’s Vietnamese communities are hubs for delicious bánh mì. The appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine and bánh mì has been growing among non-Vietnamese Sydneysiders in recent years, and the community is grateful for the support. As Rowan said, "It’s so nice to see people rave about their favorite bánh mìs from across Australia, including small country towns in the middle of nowhere. If you haven’t yet had a bánh mì — get out there and try one."