Lunch Break: Cool Vietnamese In Chinatown

Cool off with these cold Vietnamese lunch options on a hot summer day, all in Chinatown. By Yvo Sin.

See Also: The Best Eats In Chinatown | PopUp New York: Chinatown For Under $25

Pho Grand

277 Grand St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 965-5366
phograndny.com

Like any good Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Grand offers summer rolls: like a spring roll, but not deep fried, instead freshly wrapped, filled with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, shredded pork, and chives... and served with a lustrous peanut sauce for dipping. Pho Grand's version is a light, refreshing dish, a great start to any meal... especially one that contains bun, the cold vermicelli noodle salad bowl that will cool you down quick!

Pho Pasteur

85 Baxter St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 608-3656

Bun - cold vermicelli served over shredded lettuce, pickled vegetables, alongside fish sauce with pickled ramps, and topped with a protein of your choice - is the perfect hot weather way to enjoy noodles. Pho Pasteur offers a range of protein choices, including barbecued pork (pictured), which comes tender, soft, and flavorful, on top of your standard bowl of vermicelli. Feeling some fried food? Try the bun cha gio, which comes with crispy fried spring rolls laid on top, adding some extra crunch to the bowl.

Banh Mi Saigon

198 Grand St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 941-1541
banhmisaigonnyc.com

See Also: Best NYC Banh Mi

If bun is the perfect summer noodle dish, then banh mi is the perfect summer sandwich. The Vietnamese sandwich starts with the perfect bread: French baguette with a crisp crust and tender crumb, slathered with Vietnamese mayo, then pate, topped with various cold cuts, cucumber, pickled veggies, sprigs of cilantro, fresh jalapenos if that's how you roll, a dash of Maggi and a bit of Sriracha (a spicy garlic sauce). Each bite of a properly balanced banh mi reveals just a bit of everything: the savory meats and pate, the creamy sweetness of the mayo and fresh veggies, and the sour tang of the pickled veggies. It's hard to put a sandwich down until you've eaten every last delicious bite; Banh Mi Saigon makes it easy, and with sandwiches starting at $3.50, not only will you have a delicious, filling lunch, but you'll still have a full wallet afterwards.

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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.