What is Bánh Mì Chim Chạy?
While Huynh Hoa is undeniably the king of Saigon's bánh mì scene when it comes to app-based delivery, Bánh Mì Chim Chạy takes the crown for uniqueness and innovation.
They're a hot commodity on all the major food delivery platforms. A key difference is their menu: you won't find the usual cold cuts, shredded pork skin, or pork meatball fillings. Instead, they specialize in two mouthwatering options: grilled pork and shredded chicken.
The Secret Sauce of Chim Chạy
The "philosophy" behind their bánh mì, as I recall from an interview with the owner, is that the bread should be wonderfully moist, never dry. This comes from their signature combination of egg yolk sauce (almost like butter) and a reddish sauce that's reminiscent of sardine sauce. When spread onto the bread, this sauce blends seamlessly with the filling, instead of just sticking to the crust. It's a near-perfect pairing with their signature shredded chicken and grilled pork.
I've been a fan since their early days, pre-pandemic, when they operated from a single food cart in front of Thái Bình Market, starting in the late afternoon, and a small stall near the corner of Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai and Tôn Thất Tùng streets. Despite the challenges of the 2021 lockdown, they've thrived, and now boast five locations across Saigon.
The price point is reasonable, at 32k VND for the shredded chicken and 34k VND for the grilled pork. Ordering through apps is a bit more expensive, but with discount codes, the difference isn't significant. The packaging is thoughtfully designed, and the vibrant branding undoubtedly contributes to the success of this relatively new bánh mì brand.
It shows how Saigon readily embraces all kinds of flavors, celebrating creativity and rejecting rigid "authentic" standards. This is exactly why people from other parts of Vietnam keep coming to Saigon!
The "Running Bird" Story
A fun fact about the name "Chim Chạy" (Running Bird): back in 2015, they actually started by selling bánh mì with... ostrich meat. After an unsuccessful run, they stopped but kept the name. Perhaps that's why they have such a unique and memorable brand!
Verdict: 8.5/10
Running Bird Bánh Mì Locations:
- Shredded Chicken Bánh Mì: 32,000 VND
- Grilled Pork Bánh Mì: 34,000 VND
- Available for delivery via GrabFood/ShopeeFood/beFood
- Branch 1: Main entrance of Thái Bình Market, District 1. Open 4 PM - 11:30 PM (closed Saturdays)
- Branch 2: 147D Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, District 1. Open 6 AM - 8 PM (closed Sundays)
- Branch 3: 420 Nguyễn Tri Phương, Ward 4, District 10. Open 6 AM - 8 PM (closed Sundays)
- Branch 4: 11/4 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1. Open 6 AM - 10 PM
- Branch 5: 116 Lê Văn Sỹ, Ward 10, Phú Nhuận. Open 6 AM - 10 PM (closed Sundays)
