Not far from Ancoats and just on the edge of the Northern Quarter, Oldham Road is fast becoming one of Manchester’s most exciting culinary frontiers. Whether you call it Little Hanoi or simply the new go-to for authentic Southeast Asian eats, it’s here you’ll find Wow Banh Mi — a small, unassuming gem with serious flavour credentials and a whole lot of heart behind the counter.
Run by Susan and Michael Diep, who’ve lived in the city for more than four decades, the spot was born out of a lifelong love for the Vietnamese sandwich that gives the place its name. “We’re bánh mì lovers,” Susan says. “This is the dream of our family.” And if the queue at lunchtime is anything to go by, plenty of other people are now invested in that dream too.
What sets Wow Banh Mi apart is how faithfully it channels both the history and the soul of Vietnamese street food. The bánh mì here are textbook-perfect: light, airy baguettes, packed with a choice of fillings — from crunchy, homemade roast pork belly to lemongrass chicken skewers and crispy tofu — then finished with tangy pickled veg, coriander, and a squirt of house-made chilli sauce.
They’re assembled at a small open counter inside the bright, inviting space and wrapped up ready to grab and go.
But while the sandwich may be the star, it’s far from the only draw. Bowls of phở arrive steaming and fragrant, rich broths poured over rice noodles and topped with brisket, meatballs, or seafood. Broken rice dishes come with grilled pork chop and a runny fried egg, and there’s a crisp papaya salad with peanuts and herbs that’s as refreshing as it is addictive.
Drinks-wise, it’s a treasure trove for bubble tea fans, with everything from matcha to cheese and salted yolk teas, and plenty of fruity, milky combinations in between.
A deeply personal venture that’s quietly elevated the local food game, Wow Banh Mi is one of those rare finds: humble, excellent, and quietly making a name for itself in Manchester’s fast-growing Vietnamese food scene. Go once, and chances are you’ll be back within the week.
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