Order Bun & Mi Takeout or Delivery
Bun & Mi Photos
Business Info
BUN & MI ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Bun & Mi
Recommended Reviews - Bun & Mi
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
3.5 stars. I wanted to love it. I really did. Right off the bat, the service was impeccable. The server was so kind and cheerful. Decent clear vegan options, which was nice. We got the crispy garlic tofu to start. I forgot to get a picture but those were nicely fried. Then we got the tofu and mushroom banh mi. I was sad to see that the same crispy tofu was so soggy. There was zero crisp and actually just all soggy. The carrots overloaded the flavor and didn't have the balance with daikon. In fact, there was very little daikon. Same with the noodle bowl...the tofu was basically soggy breading. Portion sizes were decent. Still very expensive for what it was, but hey...it's Montana Ave neighborhood.... Very small interior. It's two bar seating areas and one actual table. No bathrooms.
This place is awesome! Was just walking by and saw this place had plant-based options. I'm not sure if the guy working is the owner, but he was very friendly and gave great service. While I was waiting for my banh mi, also offered me water, which was very appreciated. I got the mushroom and tofu banh mi and got it with vegan mayo. The flavor and freshness of the sandwich were great. The size of the sandwich was very large and I felt it was well worth the price, especially for the area. I ate half of mine and had the rest later. Highly recommend!
I got the tofu spring rolls bc my friend ordered food down the street @ B&T's and is vegan. They were great! I've had the banh mi here before and it's good as well, but was just getting a to-go snack. Peanut sauce is up to snuff, the rolls were fresh and light. Quick and friendly service at the window next to the super crowded dining bar!
The pork belly banh mi super fresh, bread is crunch and soft, an unhealthy amount of pot belly. Add to that some of their house made hot sauce and pair with a blueberry lemonade. Absolutely heaven
It's lunch time and I had a taste for a cold noodle salad. I checked yelp and Bun Mi had rave reviews and it was close. I now have a new favorite spot. Not only was the food delicious, the lady at the counter was very nice as well. I ordered the noodle salad with pulled pork. So good, down to the last bite. It actually got better with each bite. The space is very small and intimate but charming. I will be back!
What an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the kindest owner, attentive, generous, and clearly passionate about the food and experience. It really makes a difference when someone genuinely cares about their craft. The food? Incredible. The Banh Mi was hands down one of the best I've ever had. Overflowing with fresh, vibrant vegetables and perfectly seasoned meat. And the bread? Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside. Perfect! The space is small, but full of charm. Natural light, fresh air, and thoughtful decor made it feel airy and inviting. Even if there's a wait, trust me it's worth it. This place is as cute as it is delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back!
OH MY HEAVENS. This is some good food! Owners Alvin and Pamela are fantastic. I had such a good experience when I came on a Saturday- my server, Anna, was so accommodating and I thank her for taking care of me. I came the following Sunday for a breakfast burrito at the pop up and was blown away. I had the biggest, most flavorful breakfast burrito ever. I also had the ube latte with Vietnamese coffee- delicious!
Ordering on line is really easy. The staff is always lovely. Food is always great! In fact, I've had some delicious caffeinated drinks from here over the years, too! I really like that they ask about my allergies! (Mom is allergic to peanuts, and I'm allergic to shellfish.) Just one question - Is it possible that this lovely little joint has no restrooms?
I really wish I could give it 5 stars, but it's exorbitantly priced, even for the neighborhood. I enjoyed the spring rolls, but the tofu seemed like it had been fried and then sat out. Very little mushrooms and an overall small portion. Vegetables in the roll were fresh, and service is good. Cute space, yet they don't have a bathroom, which knocked off another star for me.
Love this place! It's me and my gf favorite Sunday lunch when we head home from Nations church down the street! We love the service, and it's always a quick meal that we know hits the spot. Some days the jalapeños are super spicy, some days it might as well be a bell pepper, but it's a solid option for a quick meal. Ambiance is chill, lots of CSUN students coming in and out since it's next door to campus but I haven't had anything bad yet from the menu. Drinks are solid, food is good, price isn't too crazy. Highly recommend
Husband and wife team Alvin and Pamela run this rare gem on Montana street amongst all the Italian restaurants! The restaurant itself is a counter, kitchen and service area. Very clean and unpretentious with a simple black and white menu with a few DELICIOUS choices. I was salivating watching other customers slurping soup, but instead we tried the special, green mango salad which was just heavenly. The mint mango and peanuts set off the shrimp and calamari perfectly. Everything tasted fresh, clean ans summer-y! Also enjoyed shrimp and pork spring rolls with peanut sauce and a pork belly bahn mi which was gi-normous! Alvin was our cheerful friendly server and his wife Pamela is the artisan in the kitchen highly recommend!
From the initial "welcome" to the ordering and food coming out- exceptional service. Its a cold and wet day in Santa Monica today. The owner wipes the floors from water and debris from the rain to make sure no one slips. Its a small inside seating of 10 seating of a simple menu of Bun (rice noodle bowl) and mi, short for banh mi. They do have a special Pho Ga, which is chicken noodle soup with fat noodles which is good. Broth flavor is warm, savory, comforting. Comes with a side of spicy ginger dipping sauce. Get the mixed meat. Big portions.
Some basics: Family owned. Manned by 3-4 people max. Super small and cozy (only counter seats). True Authentic Vietnamese. For the amount of demand from DoorDash orders, window side orders, and dine-in orders, the server took care of everyone in the timeliest of fashion with kindness, positivity, and max efficiency. Very impressed. 20/10 in service. Spring rolls super fresh and light. Peanut sauce wasn't too sweet and I liked the thicker consistency. Summer mango salad special...stellar. The combination of mango, calamari, shrimp, basil, and peanuts might be weird at first but it worked beautifully together for a fresh summer bite. Vietnamese ice coffee is rich, dark, and perfectly sweet. One of the best I've had in a while. Will be my go to Vietnamese spot in the westside. Highly recommend to those looking for a quality light and fresh meal. read more
2 months ago
Having lived with a Vietnamese family in my early life, I was really looking forward to trying this place. I ordered a pork belly bahn mi sandwich to go. Super friendly guy took my order and gave me a glass of water. The restaurant was small, but had a very nice, clean vibe. The sandwich was supposed to have come with pickled daikon and carrots, along with cilantro. It came with lots and lots of carrots and a fair amount of jalapenos. There was no daikon that I could see or find, and maybe three sprigs of cilantro. If the carrots were pickled, they must have been pickled in the last ten minutes before I got them as there was no discernible flavor other than carrot. Although I went to eat the sandwich about fifteen minutes after I picked it up. It was very soggy. The meat was very much on the dry side, a bit greasy, but again, overall, pretty flavorless. It also seemed more like roast pork shoulder rather than pork belly. This sandwich is not something I would ever order again as I have had some very good bahn mi elsewhere. If I do come back, I will try one of the soups or salads or maybe a spring roll to see if my experience was just a one-off. Being generous, maybe they watered down the flavor profile to adapt to American tastes, but for me, especially considering the price, this sandwich was a complete failure. Very disappointing. read more
3.5 stars. I wanted to love it. I really did. Right off the bat, the service was impeccable. The server was so kind and cheerful. Decent clear vegan options, which was nice. We got the crispy garlic tofu to start. I forgot to get a picture but those were nicely fried. Then we got the tofu and mushroom banh mi. I was sad to see that the same crispy tofu was so soggy. There was zero crisp and actually just all soggy. The carrots overloaded the flavor and didn't have the balance with daikon. In fact, there was very little daikon. Same with the noodle bowl...the tofu was basically soggy breading. Portion sizes were decent. Still very expensive for what it was, but hey...it's Montana Ave neighborhood.... Very small interior. It's two bar seating areas and one actual table. No bathrooms. read more
This place is awesome! Was just walking by and saw this place had plant-based options. I'm not sure if the guy working is the owner, but he was very friendly and gave great service. While I was waiting for my banh mi, also offered me water, which was very appreciated. I got the mushroom and tofu banh mi and got it with vegan mayo. The flavor and freshness of the sandwich were great. The size of the sandwich was very large and I felt it was well worth the price, especially for the area. I ate half of mine and had the rest later. Highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
I got the tofu spring rolls bc my friend ordered food down the street @ B&T's and is vegan. They were great! I've had the banh mi here before and it's good as well, but was just getting a to-go snack. Peanut sauce is up to snuff, the rolls were fresh and light. Quick and friendly service at the window next to the super crowded dining bar! read more
3 months ago
The pork belly banh mi super fresh, bread is crunch and soft, an unhealthy amount of pot belly. Add to that some of their house made hot sauce and pair with a blueberry lemonade. Absolutely heaven read more
It's lunch time and I had a taste for a cold noodle salad. I checked yelp and Bun Mi had rave reviews and it was close. I now have a new favorite spot. Not only was the food delicious, the lady at the counter was very nice as well. I ordered the noodle salad with pulled pork. So good, down to the last bite. It actually got better with each bite. The space is very small and intimate but charming. I will be back! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
What an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the kindest owner, attentive, generous, and clearly passionate about the food and experience. It really makes a difference when someone genuinely cares about their craft. The food? Incredible. The Banh Mi was hands down one of the best I've ever had. Overflowing with fresh, vibrant vegetables and perfectly seasoned meat. And the bread? Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside. Perfect! The space is small, but full of charm. Natural light, fresh air, and thoughtful decor made it feel airy and inviting. Even if there's a wait, trust me it's worth it. This place is as cute as it is delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more
11 months ago
OH MY HEAVENS. This is some good food! Owners Alvin and Pamela are fantastic. I had such a good experience when I came on a Saturday- my server, Anna, was so accommodating and I thank her for taking care of me. I came the following Sunday for a breakfast burrito at the pop up and was blown away. I had the biggest, most flavorful breakfast burrito ever. I also had the ube latte with Vietnamese coffee- delicious! read more
Ordering on line is really easy. The staff is always lovely. Food is always great! In fact, I've had some delicious caffeinated drinks from here over the years, too! I really like that they ask about my allergies! (Mom is allergic to peanuts, and I'm allergic to shellfish.) Just one question - Is it possible that this lovely little joint has no restrooms? read more
I really wish I could give it 5 stars, but it's exorbitantly priced, even for the neighborhood. I enjoyed the spring rolls, but the tofu seemed like it had been fried and then sat out. Very little mushrooms and an overall small portion. Vegetables in the roll were fresh, and service is good. Cute space, yet they don't have a bathroom, which knocked off another star for me. read more
9 months ago
Love this place! It's me and my gf favorite Sunday lunch when we head home from Nations church down the street! We love the service, and it's always a quick meal that we know hits the spot. Some days the jalapeños are super spicy, some days it might as well be a bell pepper, but it's a solid option for a quick meal. Ambiance is chill, lots of CSUN students coming in and out since it's next door to campus but I haven't had anything bad yet from the menu. Drinks are solid, food is good, price isn't too crazy. Highly recommend read more
1 year ago
Husband and wife team Alvin and Pamela run this rare gem on Montana street amongst all the Italian restaurants! The restaurant itself is a counter, kitchen and service area. Very clean and unpretentious with a simple black and white menu with a few DELICIOUS choices. I was salivating watching other customers slurping soup, but instead we tried the special, green mango salad which was just heavenly. The mint mango and peanuts set off the shrimp and calamari perfectly. Everything tasted fresh, clean ans summer-y! Also enjoyed shrimp and pork spring rolls with peanut sauce and a pork belly bahn mi which was gi-normous! Alvin was our cheerful friendly server and his wife Pamela is the artisan in the kitchen highly recommend! read more
1 month ago
2 months ago
1 month ago
1 year ago
From the initial "welcome" to the ordering and food coming out- exceptional service. Its a cold and wet day in Santa Monica today. The owner wipes the floors from water and debris from the rain to make sure no one slips. Its a small inside seating of 10 seating of a simple menu of Bun (rice noodle bowl) and mi, short for banh mi. They do have a special Pho Ga, which is chicken noodle soup with fat noodles which is good. Broth flavor is warm, savory, comforting. Comes with a side of spicy ginger dipping sauce. Get the mixed meat. Big portions. read more
6 months ago
10 months ago
Their pho ga with light chicken was delicious. It tasted hot and fresh with perfect seasoning and the condiments were so fresh. Love the intimate ambiance and the server was so friendly and kind. Will be back read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Definitely an Asian fusion Vietnamese gem in the SaMo area! Was so happy that I finally got to try the food here. Service is amazing - both owners Pamela and Alvin are the BEST! They are so friendly and extremely attentive to all of their customers! We tried the Spring Rolls, Mango salad, Pork Belly Banh Mi, and Saigon Grilled Chicken Noodle Bowl along with the Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Ube Foam Caffe Latte - can't explain how fresh everything tasted here. The meat was juicy and flavorful in every bite! I also loved their seasonal Mango salad which is so refreshing especially during this time of the year. The space is a little smaller but can fit up to 10 people. There is also a takeout window for those who want to order to-go. Talk about efficiency! Plenty of metered street parking available on Montana. A great addition to part of town! Will definitely come back every time I'm in the area. read more
Family owned restaurant with bright and quick service whats not to love! The place is small so getting seating it not easy, but when you eat here expect the nicest man in the world to get you everything you need without asking. I have now gone two times and both times were awesome. I got the fresh pork & shrimp spring rolls, beef bahn mi, and beef noodle salad. The spring rolls are fresh and nice combo of veggies. For the bahn mi you can tell the bread is fresh, not my favorite bahn mi in LA, but solid. The noodle salad I preferred better, just wish the beef had more flavor and crisp to combat the soft noodles. Overall, such as cute place and would recommend it to anyone in the area to try! read more
I had to drop a friend off to LAX and always have to get something before going back home. My fiancée was craving bahn mi and this place was the closest. I gotta say the parking is a tough one lol but eventually found one sorta close by. I ended up ordering the pork belly, the chicken bahn mi and some egg rolls with a Vietnamese coffee. Even though this fusion, it's way better than the other fusion place I've been to. The other place do these weird mixes and totally ruin the bahn mi but this place does a good job on sticking to the original bahn mi. The only thing I noticed there was a taste of cream cheese? I've never had cream cheese on a bahn mi and wasn't a fan. I also noticed I didn't see any pâté which was a bummer. My fiancée is Vietnamese and also traveled to Vietnam. So I probably gotten used to the pâté. But overall, I really liked the bahn mi and the egg rolls. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in the area! read more
My husband was in the neighborhood so he picked up lunch from here. He said it was hard to find, but eventually got there. Small place. I was tempted to get a bun mi but instead got the garlic shrimp noodle salad. My hubby ended up getting the pork belly bun mi. He brought it home maybe 45 mins later, so it wasn't as fresh as it could have been. We split the bun mi and the noodles. The bun mi was good, but didn't have pate, like I'm used to. The bread was slightly soggy but that was because it travelled. The noodles were good but needed peanuts. This place is good - slightly pricy and but filling. Overall a good spot if you're in the neighborhood! read more
Amazing superb customer service! I would actually hope so for this space having limited seating. Note: if you feel like trying more than one main dish split it (ex:pho) and you'll have a solid amount of food, they are not stingy about their splits Banh mi was delish and packed high! They get their bun from a bakery in Los Angeles. Spicy garlic tofu bites were good. Their homemade chili oil was good too! Pho was solid just wish they had a different type of noodle and didn't cut it up so much when splitting. The noodles were so short and they were hard to grab with the chopstick Metered parking on Montana and it's right next to the dry cleaners near the corner read more
I cannot get enough of this place. We eat here 3-4 times a month. As I mentioned in my first post, I've traveled throughout Vietnam, and got these sandwiches wherever I could find them (or wherever Anthony Bourdain had been to ) But, this Bahn Mi ranks in my top sandwiches of all time. The owners are Alvin and Pamela, and they both are the nicest and most humble and lovely people. Alvin has the amazing ability to seemingly remember every customer's name. They are there everyday taking care and serving their customers and saying hello to passerby's. Their respect and care for their customers is undeniable. The sandwich is made on the best crusty french loaf of bread. The meat is top tier, always tender, perfectly seasoned. They have a homemade sambal sauce that gives just a hint of acidity and spice. The protein options are filet, chicken, shrimp, braised pork belly or a yummy tofu blend. You can get them on a rice bowl, salad bowl, or noodle bowl or in this case, a sandwich. The spot itself is small. Just a few seats. But this food is incredible, even when it's "to go" Don't sleep on this place. It will quickly become your new favorite. read more
7 months ago
There's a reason this place is voted one of the best Vietnamese spots in Santa Monica. Co-owner Alvin, who serves the front, is always so welcoming, helpful and attentive. The food always tastes fresh with that homemade flavor which makes the experience feel like you're eating with family. The shrimp and pork spring rolls is my favorite appetizer, with their spicy garlic tofu bites being a close second. Their bahn mi is so crispy and is stuffed with lots of protein and veggies. The noodle bowl is also recommended and has a large, filling portion. Their drinks are also amazing - the chia seed blueberry lemonade is so refreshing and the iced latte with ube foam has the perfect balance of coffee and sweetness. Looking forward to continuously visiting this spot and trying their off-menu items. I wish I had a bigger stomach! read more
7 months ago
Great Vietnamese food on Montana. Venue is really small, a counter and another table that seats 4 people. I ordered the beef bahn mi, shrimp noodle bowl, house special pho, crispy cha gio - delicious! Highly recommend! read more
Page 1 of 8
More info about Bun & Mi
1004 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Directions
(310) 310-8494
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.bunandmi.com
Full menu
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Special Hours, Health Score
Ask the Community - Bun & Mi
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
12 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
1 year ago
6 months ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
