Banh & Mee Vietnamese Street Kitchen can be found in the middle of the big food hall at Leeds Kirkgate Market. One of the brightest and popular food vendors it seems to be the go to spot for Vietnamese Street Food in the market

On their Twitter page I had read them declare “From the fields of Vietnam to the hills of Yorkshire, Mama Nguyen’s never-ending quest to improve the taste of your lunch!“

So while there is a lot of really good looking street food being served in the marketplace, I already knew where I was heading when we visited and confess that I only had eyes for Banh & Mee from where I was planning on getting my weekly noodle fix

I was ordering a bowl of the Pho, described on the menu, as being Soup noodles in Mama Nguyen’s Three Generation broth. I was getting mine with brisket so the Pho Chin, I had been advised by the young man behind the counter when I said I wanted beef he said ‘you must get the brisket it is very popular‘

The menu board discussed the soup telling us that ‘This secret family broth is simmered for hours before being served with onions and fresh herbs‘. I could see the pots bubbling away on the counter, bones and bits floating around and poking out the tops.

The aroma of the stock permeated through the air and into the senses of all the people waiting in line to order and to collect and I swear it was drawing the crowds towards the stall.

PHO CHIN (BEEF BRISKET NOODLE SOUP)

The Pho Chin was a joyful sight to behold a big bowl of noodles floating around in a clear meaty stock topped with chunks of soft tender brisket, chopped herbs and sliced onions.

There was plenty of meat, way more than I had expected, and I was not grumbling one bit. It was so well cooked that flakes were falling off into the broth all adding more flavour for later slurpage.

The wide noodles were tricky little buggers to fish out but once I got on a roll my chopsticks were in full flow and I was able to grab a few strands at a time so that I could suck them up without too much trouble.

PHO CHIN – CLOSE UP

It is really hard to describe in words just how fantastic the Beef Brisket Pho was at Banh & Mee. The broth is everything that you could desire and more, rich and complex, packed with meatiness and full of flavour.

I have not had a broth this fabulous with any type of noodles let alone a bowl of Pho for a long time. In fact I am not sure if I can even recall a better soup that I have had off the top of my head at all.

Once I had eaten all the bits and pieces in the bowl I was unable to resist picking up the bowl to drink the remnant. It was just too good to leave any behind.

For £7 I honestly don’t think you will find better for your money anywhere around this parts. I am not even going to try looking! 😍😜

SPECIALS MENU

There is so much good food on the menu at Banh & Mee that I reckon it would take me a couple of weeks dining here every day to work my way through all the dishes that I want to try.

I would need to slurp my way through all the different Pho offerings, sample the different Banh Mi sandwiches, and all the rice dishes at least once, and then lets not forget the specials board with a Viet Style Chicken Curry and plates of Saigon Fried Noodles!

It would be an understatement to suggest that I am slightly jealous of the good people of Leeds who frequent this market food hall during their lunchtimes!!

INSIDE THE FOOD HALL

You can find Banh & Mee in Leeds Kirkgate Market Foodhall Cafe G, Leeds LS2 7HY,

Seek out the big food hall at the back at you will not be able to miss their stand

Also check Banh & Mee out on their various socials:

Their Twitter Feed, their Facebook Page, and their Instagram profile