THE quest for Ipswich’s best banh mi turned into a one-sided battle – and honestly, it wasn’t even close.
What began as a mission to uncover the region’s best, powered by locals who know their rolls from their rookies, quickly snowballed into a full-blown flavour showdown, celebrating the businesses that make Ipswich’s food scene so proudly multicultural.
This week’s hunt was fuelled by crunch, crackle, and a whole lot of flavour, diving headfirst into Ipswich’s take on the ultimate Vietnamese classic.
We’re talking crispy pork with that unmistakable crunch, lemongrass chicken cooked just right, and layers of pickled vegetables, coriander and chilli all working together like a well-rehearsed band.
And Ipswich showed up – loudly.
Our social media post racked up 16,768 views from 10,304 people in just 24 hours, proving that in this proudly multicultural region, banh mi isn’t just lunch, it’s serious business.
Ten venues across the city were nominated by you, our readers. But one name didn’t just rise above the rest, it soared above all others, claiming a dominant 79 per cent of the vote.
Newtown Vietnamese Takeaway takes the crown.
Also earning plenty of love were Gravy & Beans, Bun Bun Bao on Nicholas St, and Asian Fusion at Redbank Plaza – all strong contenders in a field stacked with flavour.
One thing’s for sure – this wasn’t just a close competition – it was a banh mi landslide.
Some sandwiches are polite. This one is not.
The Crispy Roast Pork Belly Banh Mi from Newtown Vietnamese Takeaway doesn’t gently introduce itself – it kicks the door down and demands your full attention. And honestly, fair enough.
Let’s start with the headline act: the pork.
Bite in and it practically applauds itself. Juicy, rich pork that’s been slow-roasted with serious intent.
Then in come the fresh players in pickled carrot, cool cucumber, and herbs doing their leafy thing.
Then there is the bread because it all comes down to the bread. Crispy and fluffy in the one-two punch.
This isn’t a “light bite”. This is a commitment.
The fillings are stacked high enough that you’ll need a strategy. Do you compress it? Rotate mid-bite? Accept your fate and wear some of it? There are no wrong answers.
The overwhelming consensus on the best banh mi of our city is clear and the genuine article proves exactly why.
Roamin Rowan Rating: 7/10
