Honest to god one of the best banh mi's sandwiches I've had in a long time. Dare I say that it's better than the ones from SJ. Located in a somewhat sketchy part of Oakland lies this unassuming shop. It's a no frills kind of location so don't expect anything super fancy. But once you go inside, you can smell and feel the authenticity of the food! Service is straightforward and make sure to come early so you don't wait in line. I got the combo with extra pate and it was delicious. 10/10 and super filling. Was happy to bring this with me on a trip to the river and will definitely be back again! read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Combo w/ extra pate - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

That was an amazing house special banh mi, bread was just right, not too crisp a crust, nice and soft inside. The grilled pork banh mi was good as well, but not as memorable. They also had an solid selection of not-banh mi items that looked good, in particular the summer rolls, but we did not have stomach space to indulge. There's refrigerators full of drinks as well, and you can order things like Thai iced tea from the register. The line inside is long but moves at a decent clip. Street parking only but the parking situation is surprisingly decent. Cash only of course. All that said, as good as this place is, if you don't live in the area, then you probably are a serious banh mi connoisseur to make the trek. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Not banh mi. Summer rolls in particular looked good. - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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Banh Mi Ba Le, Oakland August 2026 I was in the area and decided to get some Banh Mi sandwiches. I came here around 10:30am, there was a few people ahead of me and it wasn't busy when I was there. Sometimes they are closed on Fridays so luckily they were opened today. Would come back whenever I'm in the area and see if they are opened. read more

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I was in the Neighborhood and wanted a Banh Mi Sandwich!!! So I rolled to Banh Mi Ba Le !! I rolled up and lucky for me there was a Parking spot 50 feet away on the Street!!! After navigating the Hookers half Naked propositioning me offering their services!!! I made it inside to the LONG line inside!!! Everybody was ordering Bahn Mi Sandwich's and Egg-rolls!!! When I made it to the Cashier , I Ordered a Number 2 a Special Ham Sandwich and 3 Pork Egg Rolls!!! I paid Cash!!! They Charge a Fee for Credit Card Usage!!! Inside the Sandwich Shop it's Dark and Dingy!! All Business!!! I received my food 7 minutes later and I was Gone With the Wind Fabulous!! My food was delicious especially the Egg Rolls!!! This is a Baller On a Budget Approved Establishment!!!!! I keep my Pimp Hands Strong!! Number 34 out of the top 50 list of the most Prolific Yelp Elites of 2025. read more

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I need to come here more often. The sandwiches are really good. The #2, combo banh mi $6.30 is our standard order. The sweet mayo blends well with the hams. They are best enjoyed within a few hours after buying them. The bread will get soggy if you let it sit overnight. We ended up eating them right there on the sidewalk today. If you are just buying bánh cuốn, those ready to buy rice roll with cured meats plates, or egg rolls, you can skip the line. That's what the counter guy told me. The left line is just for ordering sandwiches. Note, that little parking lot gets full. There's plenty of parking on the other side of International Blvd. by the liquor store. read more

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I had been wanting to try Banh Mi Ba Le for a while, but their extremely limited hours made it tough to make happen without having to deal with an extreme wait. They're only open Friday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., so I finally made the trip out on a Friday and arrived around 9:30 a.m. It was already fairly busy, and it only got more packed while I waited for my order so I would strongly recommend getting there before 9 a.m. or phoning your order in ahead of time. I ordered 4 sandwiches total, and it took somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes for everything to be ready, but both the #2 Special Combo Ham and the #13 Meatball and Egg were absolutely fantastic and well worth the wait. The #2 is how I benchmark a good banh mi, and this place really delivered. The pate was out of this world, the sandwich was piled high with delicious cold cuts, loaded with perfectly pickled veggies and jalapeños, and stuffed into a roll that had the perfect balance of a crisp exterior and pillowy interior. The #13 seemed to be a popular choice as well and for good reason. It had all the same great attributes as the #2, but with the pate and cold cuts replaced by a sweet and savory crumbled meatball paired with a perfectly soft boiled egg. It was every bit as satisfying and delicious and had such a different flavor profile to the #2, which I really appreciated. It is not in the best neighborhood and the hours are painfully tight, especially if you want to avoid a long wait, but the end product is absolutely worth it, in my opinion. And at $6 to $7 per sandwich, the value is still a good value, even if it is a far cry from the $4-6 range that it seemed to hover in for a long time. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Menu 7.3.26 - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

I can see why this particular shop has been highly rated and ranked as one of the top Banh Mi shops in the SF Bay Area. Stopped by on a Saturday around 1:45pm and it was bustlin', about 20 people in the shop. Credit cards accepted. About 30 minutes later I secured the goods and ate the sandwiches at home. No seating available inside. I had a bite of the combo and ate most of the grilled pork. Between the 2, I liked the grilled pork. Both breads had a delicious crunch and no skimping of ingredients as there were protein/veggies within each bite. Prices are great, both were a little less than $7 each. Parking can get tricky around this part of town depending on time of day. Also note, there's another shop in El Cerrito with the same name, but definitely not the same owner or operation. Looking forward to trying the grilled chicken sandwich next time. #35/2026 read more

This is my favorite banh mi place in all of the Bay Area! Banh mi here are packed with a punch, and makes for a perfect lunch. The bread is always fresh and it's a hefty portion ( I always split my sandwich into two). It's generally a quick to go order spot but you might have to wait just a little bit ( under 10 minutes). My go to order is always number 13. Meatball and egg is my favorite but I've had a bunch of their other options and they're all solid. Right as you enter the store there are also a variety of drinks and sweet treats you can pick up as well. Tips: It's a clean and no frills takeout sandwich spot located right off of International but there's also a small parking lot behind the gated fence that you can park in. They take credit card but there's a 3% fee. read more

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Banh Mi shop with tasty sandwiches on crusty bread. The menu items are uneven in their execution. The sandwiches really hinge on the meat you choose. We ordered bbq pork and tofu sandwiches, as well as an egg roll while we waited and spring rolls. The egg roll was typical fare, though the plump shrimp and strong mint made the spring rolls a treat. The French bread for the Banh mi was light and crusty, however there were not a great number of veggies or mayo. We did not have to worry about the sandwiches getting soggy during takeout. More mayo would have helped the pork which was too dry, and it would have added richness to the tofu which at least was mercifully moist. (I suspect that part of the cold cut sandwich's popularity is simply that the meat does not dry out before serving!) There are other, more consistent Banh mi shops around the neighborhood, so it may be worth looking around. read more

Love me some ba le sandwiches. Family owned only opened on the weekends. Called in for a pick up and when I got there it was ready. They charge a credit card service fee but they at least take cards. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

We waited about an hour ordering and waiting for our sandwiches. The line was wrapped around in the store and outside. I loved the dessert I tried the fruit and jellies one of my favorites. The sandwich bread was crunchy and the meat was tasty. I had one of the egg rolls while waiting for my sandwiches. It was still warm but it needed a dipping sauce to finish it off. Next time I want to try the mango or avocado shake. read more

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My homies parents gave me a bahn mi once and said it was from Oakland. Curiosity brought me here and the taste keeps me coming back. The bahn mi wrapper and rubber band position says a lot. Where it came from and what one thinks is good. It's like a signature of the store, this stores got yellow wrappers and the rubber band goes on verticals. Which stands out to anyone who eats bahn mi a lot. $6.75 out the door for one #2 special combo ham. The bread is crunchy but not burnt and the pate is savory mineraly authentic. Although the area is not as clean as one would like the taste makes up for it. It's like GTA ,As crazy as it is and sounds i have found it crazy delicious as well. The street vendors by the coliseum and off international are some of the best eats I've had. Do be warned Definitely Leave the kids at home unless you want to prove a point read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - $6-$7 for a bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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One of THE best banh mis I have ever had! Portions are large! Ingredients are fresh! Price is affordable! The Banh Mi Dac Biet is solid -- filled with lots of cold cuts and layered with tasty patê. Only downside is that parking is a bit tough in this area, but the quality of food and the friendly service makes it all worth it. read more

As a local, I've grown up walking 5 minutes to this spot my whole life for over 25 years. I can say that it is the best authentic vietnamese banh mi in the east bay as I've tried many other spots that haven't particularly matched or exceeded their level of quality. I usually order a #2, #7, and #13. It's very affordable, especially if you're on a strict budget for lunch. $7 sandwiches? I mean it's a pretty good deal. #2 Banh Mi Dac Biet/Special Combo Ham Sandwich - If you're looking for a cold italian sandwich but want to explore new options this is a vietnamese version that also has pate butter taking it to the next level. #7 Banh Mi Xiu Mai/Meat Ball & Egg Sandwich - An elevated version of the #3 with an added egg. This was my absolute favorite as a child and still is now. Nice balance of sweet and salty. The meat is tender and with the added egg yolk that pops when you take a bite takes it the next level. I think this is also slept on since I don't see many people ordering it. #13 Banh Mi Xa Xiu/BBQ Pork Sandwich - This is their secret weapon. My god the sweetness from the bbq pork with the pate butter is incredible. I always look forward to eating the bottom end of the sandwich because that's where most of the flavor and butter are hiding. The pickled veggies help give it the acidity it needs for a well balanced bite. By far my favorite. They also have many other options besides banh mi that make and sell on the day of like Banh Cuon, Che, Egg rolls, etc. Definitely give those a try especially the Mochi Ham sandwich aka Banh Day they got there too. I always have a hard time choosing between the #7 & # 13 so I always end up getting both. Service is straight forward, you line up, order, and wait for them to call you up for your order. Simple. You don't have to ask me twice if I want to grab some banh mi here. But do be aware that at certain hours of the day it can get very busy and crowded. Either to super early when opening or closer to closing about an hour before. For new comers, I highly recommend starting off with #7 or #13 for your introduction to their banh mi for a better first time experience. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le has hands down the best valued banh mi in East Bay. I stopped by right when they opened at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning and there was already a few people in line in front of me. Parking is limited in front of the store so consider stopping by with a friend so they can park in front with the hazards lights on while you quickly run inside for food. In addition to banh mis, they also have a wide variety of jelly desserts in the fridge, fried egg rolls in a heating case, as well as shrimp spring rolls. I ordered two #2 -- the special ham combo, and at $6.50 each, it's an absolute steal for how much sandwich you're getting. The sandwiches here are sizable and packed with meats and veggies. The pickled daikon and carrot matchsticks provide a nice freshness to contrast the saltiness of the cured meats and the richness of the pate. The fresh bread that they use here also has the perfect texture to it: wonderfully crunchy crust, while soft and chewy on the inside. If you're looking for a delicious to-go meal on a budget, Banh Mi Ba Le is the place to go. Just watch out for the pot holes on the drive over. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - #2 - special ham combo - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

First time here and was lucky enough there was no line for a Friday afternoon. Ordered the combo and was in/out in 5 mins! It's not much of a sit down place Surprisingly the pickled radish really stood out - it was a nice, distinct sweet and vinegar taste infused together. The sandwich had generous fillings of cold cut meat and veggies with pate completing the sandwich. I liked that the toasted baguette was crunchy but not too much where it cut your insides of the mouth. Only have street parking and not in the best area but sandwich is worth $6.75 if I'm ever passing by in the area read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

If you want a loaded Bahn Mi this is the place, so cheap, so much meat, so good! I like ther meat pie And eggrolls with shrimp as well. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Combination - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

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One of the best banh mi spots in the bay fs, great coffee too. Always get the extra pate. The combo is classic but grilled pork and xac xiu also solid read more

The best banh mi in town! I've been here a handful of times mostly for their sandwiches and it never disappoints. The quality of the bread is top notch - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's always made fresh to order. I arrived on a Sunday around 1:30pm and there was already a line. I ordered 3 sandwiches - #2 Special Combo Ham Sandwich, #5 Meatball Sandwich, #7 BBQ Pork Sandwich. I really enjoyed meatball the most since the meat was soft and tender. I will most likely order that one again. Parking is a little tricky and it isn't located in the best area. They are also only open 3 days a week and close at 3pm so make sure to check the hours before stopping by. Not sure if they take credit card, but I did pay in cash. read more

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Daaaaang this location is crazy! I never seen so many naked ladies just walking around freely lol. If you don't mind that, lol the Banh Mi were great. I had tried the beef which was just a little tough to chew, still good, but I enjoyed their bbq original more. I always just randomly stumble upon food spots to give em a try and glad I tried this one. I wouldn't mind trying this place again. Service was quick, friendly and inside was clean! If you can find parking, give them a try! read more

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5/5: Ca phe sua da coffee: excellent. perfect sweetness, dark and rich. 3: Grilled pork banh mi: it's a cheaper sausage style banh mi. I think it's better to go with the #2 cold cut banh mi. 2: Flan. Very flavorless. The wait to order can be long, and then there is a ong wait after ordering for pickup. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Flan, and ce phe sua da coffee. - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

I visit Oakland very often and was craving a bahn mi. I decided to stop by due to the amount of reviews this place had. Inside is quite small with no seating area and the line can get super long depending on the time you go. I ordered the combination bahn mi and it was delicious. The bread is crunchy and the amount of meat is crazy. They are not stingy with their pate or mayo. I love how they offer extra veggies on the side with no charge. This has to be my favorite second bahn min place. They do offer other foods which I have yet to try. read more

Clearly this place is beloved. I honestly didn't know this place was open, I've driven by so many times. My neighbor told me about it, so I stopped in on a Friday afternoon not really knowing what to expect. The line was already out the door at 11am. Took about 20 minutes for me to be able to place my order. It was so hot inside. Standing room only. The person taking my order was nice and efficient. After placing my order, I had to wait probably another 20 minutes or so. People were either ordering single sandwiches or upward of 10-20 sandwiches! It was wild. I can see why the line was so long. This was by far the best banh mi I've had in my life. Probably. Most likely. I will say I'll probably order ahead next time. I don't think I can do that line again. Lol read more

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Good portions for $6.50. However, sometimes they give me the wrong order. I usually get bbq pork but today I received the wrong item and I didn't enjoy it. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Ba Le has been around since before I was born! My family and everybody I know goes here for a banh mi and other prepared food to go. It's a staple in Oakland and is AFFORDABLE which you can't say about most other places. Service is quick, and they used to be open everyday but are now operating 3 days per week which makes them more popular and busy! Across the street opened House of Phin IYKYK but just know Ba Le will hopefully forever be there! Not in the best neighborhood but it's the town what you expect! Get a sandwich and a show while waiting read more

banh mi ba le is my new go to for quick Vietnamese sandwiches without having to visit the south bay. Their service was super fast, their service was better than what you would expect from the south bay. And the ambience is a little sketchy given the area it is in. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - banh mi sandwich selection - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Their #2 Banh mi was so fire, usually when I ordered a combo they put too much pate but this one was PERFECT. Fast & Cheap!! I paid w apple pay so I was grateful, they have other deli items too some options weren't as good and the egg rolls were mid. Stick to the banh mi's very delicious best in oakland, ca hands down! read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Found out they are open only on the weekends, only accept cash and only open when the owners are collecting money to go to Vietnam, stay there until they need more money then come back to the US to open up this shop again. I was lucky enough to try their banh mi. Tried their special banh mi and their bbq pork banh mi. Both very good and $7 each which is great! There's no place to sit. Long lines but it goes fast. There's also Vietnamese che and yogurt as well as Thai tea in their fridge. read more

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Oh my gosh. This is my favorite banh mi place, and I've had quite a few. They are very generous with their meat portions and the bread is so light, fluffy, and fresh. The combinations they use are great too with the portions of meat to veggies. Everything feels fresh and tastes great. The line is quite long on weekends and people order bags of these banh mis. But it's worth the wait in my opinion. The area may feel a little sketch. They do have a parking lot so it may feel safer to park your car there. The only downside is the safety of the area surrounding it but the sandwiches are really good. read more

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Solid banh mis when you can catch them open~ I've been going here for years- they have def changed as covid hit. They no longer have seating on the inside and it kind of looks bare and ready to move honestly. They take card, not sure if they take phone orders. The line can get long so be mindful of your time. Street parking around- mostly metered read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Bbq pork banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Best banh mi in the Bay Area! Tried the #5 meatball today which was good but more of a seasoned ground meat mix rather than a meatball. My husband got the #2 special combo and I don't usually prefer the cold cuts but I might have to get this one next time! The eggrolls are pretty good as well. Call before going to make sure they are open. The parking is pretty tough and there's no where to sit and eat so be prepared to take it to-go. read more

Banh Mi Ba Le - Menu 10/18/25 - Vietnamese Near Me - Oakland, California

Bahn mi always bomb. Service was good but needs some work. There needs to be a number system, might not be working when i went, but i ordered, waited close to 40 min for my bahn mi, i saw people behind me get their food first and they had hella sandwhiches. The guy at the counter finally saw me and said whats your order, told him and he said someone else took yours. Im thinking you need to make sure the person coming up is the correct person taking the sandwiches. Like i said there needs to be a number system rather than calling out read more

Bánh Mì Ba Le is one of my favorite places to grab a quick and satisfying meal. The sandwiches are fresh, flavorful, and generously filled -- and the prices are unbeatable, especially for the quality you get. It is a hole in the wall with no seating. But they sure can cycle through the customers and you will get your food quickly regardless of how busy it is. The Grilled Pork Sandwich is absolutely fantastic. The pork is tender, flavorful, and perfectly marinated with that classic lemongrass sweetness and savory char. Paired with the crunchy pickled veggies, crisp cucumbers, cilantro, and jalapeños inside their warm, crispy baguette, every bite hits the perfect balance of fresh and savory. It's one of the best grilled pork bánh mì I've had anywhere. The Special Combo Ham Sandwich is another standout. Loaded with a variety of traditional Vietnamese cold cuts, smooth pâté, and their signature mayo, it has that rich, classic bánh mì flavor that's impossible not to love. The combination of textures -- soft meats, crisp vegetables, and flaky bread -- is spot on. On top of how good everything tastes, the value is incredible. You get fresh, delicious sandwiches at prices that are hard to beat these days. If you love bánh mì or just want a tasty, affordable meal, Bánh Mì Ba Le is a must-try. Highly recommended! read more

I revisited this famous place after that Chronicle article comparing it to Saigon Sandwich and I've been coming here for 20 years and I noticed that that guy who takes the order is the same fellow but now with gray hair. But I did want to say that I ordered the number one and it really was the best banh mi I've ever had. There is a big difference somehow. And I also had the shrimp rolls which turned out to be the best shrimp rolls I've ever had with cucumber, large cucumber in it and I just had an epiphany -just with these two items. It was crowded and it's a terrible location of course, but I just love this place. read more

I'm Shocked at the quality of their ban mi. As of 6/10/2026, it costs $8.50 each. That's not the issue; everything is up now! The sandwich was really skimpy. The ratio of bread to meat to pickled vegetables was not great. The pate, which I usually love, was also off and had an unusually strong unpleasant smell. The only thing that made the sandwich edible was the bread itself. It was fresh light and airy as I remember it to be. I hope they will focus and maintain quality in the future. I regretted spending $65 there for food I was afraid to feed my family. read more

We visited this place on a Sunday afternoon, waited about 20 minutes in line, and another 15 for our sandwiches. It wasn't a long wait, and the banh mi were worth it. We tried another dish nearby, but this one was my favorite. The bread had a sweet, crunchy flavor, and it was packed with peppers that are quite spicy, so be cautious if you're not a fan of heat. I ordered the grilled chicken, which was delicious and fairly priced, while my wife had the pork, which was also tasty. They load the banh mi with veggies and a spread that keeps you wanting more. If you have time, wait for it, or go early since they're only open on weekends. The staff, especially the gentleman who took our orders, was very friendly, making the wait more pleasant. read more

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Omg this is now my go to spot for banh mi! Expansive menu, reasonably prices, fresh ingredients! Absolutely delicious! Staff were also very welcoming and friendly, I actually enjoyed waiting for my food. The restaurant is a cafe style, simple, and clean. read more

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Best bahn mi of the entire East Bay. The #2 combo is probably their most popular sandwich, but I am just not a fan of the Vietnamese cold cuts. I rotate through the meatball (loose, juicy and very flavorful compared to western meatballs), lemongrass pork, grilled pork, BBQ pork, and BBQ chicken sandwiches--all of these are great. As of May 2026, most sandwiches come to $7 after tip, which is an unbeatable deal for the Bay Area. Parking sucks and the neighborhood is super sketchy, I do feel for the businesses of this area. Only open Fri/Sat/Sun, unfortunately. Pro tip: get an egg roll ($1) to eat while you wait for your bahn mi to be made. And be forewarned: your car will stink to high hell for a few hours after transporting your sandwiches home. It just means that your bahn mi are legit! read more

It's hard to beat the Banh Mi's that are in San Jose, however, I think this mom and pop just barely wins. I got the #2 which was a special ham combo and it was superb! The bread was crispy but soft on the inside, for once, the roof of my mouth wasn't scraped at the end of the meal. The Vietnamese mayo and pate was so rich yet savory, and complimented each bite beautifully. We also picked-up an order of their shrimp dumplings that are wrapped in a translucent wrapper -- delicious! They also offer various options like egg rolls, chips, and desserts. Keep in mind that they are located in not the best part of town, however, they do have a parking lot in the back. Just make sure you don't have valuables present and be diligent of your surroundings. This place does not offer seating either indoors or outdoors and the space is kept clean and tidy. It looks like the employees knew a lot of regulars. read more

Order a Banh Mi made with bread that is fresh and toasted perfectly (bread that you can bite into without scratching the roof of your mouth hahaha) that is filled generously with herbs, pickled vegetables, and meat at a very reasonable price! I paired mine with an Iced Vietnamese Coffee which was good and strong. *You may be wondering about the location and thinking you should head somewhere else but don't! Their limited days and hours of operation yet a consistent line of customers is a tell all! Plus, it's a super quick process: get in line, order at the register, and wait for pick up (an under 10 minutes wait but of course longer, if you order more). No need to look for cash because credit cards/ debit cards are accepted. read more

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