DISH OF THE WEEK

DISH OF THE WEEK in New York: Grilled Pork Bánh Mi at NAM NAM

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

SADLY, NAM NAM IS NOW CLOSED.

NAM NAM, 109 Montrose Avenue (between Leonard Street and Manhattan Avenue), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Nam Nam in Williamsburg doesn’t really feel like a restaurant. There is pretty much zero atmosphere, unless you count the bare bones kitchen with some makeshift places to sit. It’s a total dive. But if food is the most important thing, then it is worth ignoring the lack of comfort and just eating the Vietnamese food here.

I first discovered this hidden little nook when doing research for an article about the best iced coffee. I came here to try their Vietnamese iced coffee and it was great. But since I was in this strange part of Williamsburg, I thought I had to nom nom on one of their well-received banh mi sandwiches.Grilled Pork Banh Mi at NAM NAMI settled on grilled pork because what else should you be eating when it comes to banh mi? The caramelized swine was incredible – juicy and sweet with a nice charred quality. The pickled vegetables were crunchy and tangy and the aioli gave the sandwich a creamy contrast to the smoky porky filling.

This is truly one of the best Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches I’ve tasted in New York. And it happens to be at one of the most thrown together eating establishments in the city and I really truly don’t care. Price: $6.50

NAM NAM
109 Montrose Avenue (between Manhattan Avenue and Leonard Street),
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
(718) 302-9200

AboutBrian Hoffman

Brian Hoffman is a classically trained actor who is now a full-time tour guide, blogger, and food obsessive. He leads food and drink tours around New York City, which not only introduce tour-goers to delicious food, but gives them a historical context. He has written food articles for Gothamist and Midtown Lunch in addition to overseeing this blog and a few food video series, including Eat This, Locals Know, and Around the World in One City. His latest series is an international cooking show with his son which can be found on this site.