I got a cold cut banh mi and 2 containers of beef rice rolls. First off, I think the rice rolls are overpriced at $5 each. They're pretty good, but this price is more than at dim sum, imo Second, the banh mi has good points and bad points. PROS: * pate! delicious meaty pate, you can definitely taste some of the liver * the cold cuts are pretty hardcore - I definitely got a slice of some terrine with a slice of pig ear which I loved CONS: * bread. Ouch ouch ouch, I could actually taste the scratches on the roof of my mouth after this sandwich. I think if you're more careful and eat more slowly it wouldn't be as much of an issue. * cold cuts are sliced pretty thick, which isn't the end of the world, but leads to less than stellar distribution. Overall, while this banh mi feels less "polished" than New Saigon Sandwich, the pate and the quality of the cold cuts are quite good. I would say Mei Sum and New Saigon are objectively equal but have their own pros and cons. NSS' bread is better and everything is cut and distributed a bit better, but the protein isn't as impressive. read more

Mei Sum - Delicious pate in that banh mi - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I come here for their baked buns. The custard one is a favorite. You get it piping hot from the oven, crispy outer layer and a really gooey yummy filling. For ~$1, it's a sick deal, for pretty much every item in the bakery. They also have dim sum food like shrimp dumpling in the morning. Also great deal. One of the better bakeries in Chinatown. read more

See all

I'd bookmarked Mei Sum for their sweet pastries, but turns out they make delicious bahn mi as well! Everything is made fresh to order, including a quick trip to the toaster oven for the baguette. The tofu didn't have quite as much flavor as at New Saigon Sandwich, but overall still a very satisfying and delicious lunch option. On a Sunday they also had a bunch of dim sum offerings like siu mai and rice noodle rolls. The shop was bustling, but ladies working here were so friendly and happy to explain anything. And the price can't be beat--I think it was $14 for 3 sandwiches, a pork bun, and a doughnut! New Saigon Sandwich is probably still my favorite bahn mi in Chinatown, but I'll surely come back here if I want lunch and dessert in one stop! read more

Wow. That's one. good. sandwich. As per the prior reviews, the place is not much to look at, but the woman behind the counter is kind and pleasant, and - while I don't yet know diddly about banh mi - the sandwich (I had the tofu) is ridiculously tasty. Great flavor, fresh ingredients, warm bread ... for three dollars. Definitely going back. Maybe even tonight on my walk to the train ... read more

Mei Sum - really tasty banh mi with tofu (and a pen for perspective) - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Went back to try the vietnamese subs again and I have to upgrade it delicous! This time everything was fresh and plentiful! Can't 2.50 for a sandwich. Also went to get some pasteries over Chinese New Year's week and the sweet counter lady gave me a free bun and wished me a happy new year...that's great customer service and appreciation... read more

I have always liked coming here as suspect as it might first appear. You get used to it though because the two or three ladies behind the counter are friendly and quick. I bought a coconut tart and a banh mi for $4! Woo. The best thing is the banh mi can be served with pork or beef and I think vegetarian style. You can also have it spicy or not, and if you want spicy, they will put it on the side. The bread is fresh, and I believe from the South End and is heated up with the meat. I really like the sandwich and was actually surprised only one other gentleman was here sitting at the table. Usually, the place is packed. read more

See all

Ahh...coming to Mei Sum brought me back to my MS1 days when I was making my way through all the bakeries in Chinatown. The visit was even more nostalgic when I came in to see a gaggle of OG's at the back tables babbling to each other in Cantonese - straight outta the hood that is SF Chinatown. But I'm digressing here... What I do want to get across is that the Banh Mi here knocks 163 and New Saigon out of the water. The bread is fresh, crispy on the outside and a little chewy on the inside - the way it should be! Both the roast beef and cold cut versions are very good and sooo worth the $3. The pineapple buns on the racks in the back looked good too so I nabbed one of those as well and it did not disappoint. So for all the students at Tufts that need a quick, cheap and tasty lunch - say no to 163, New Saigon, etc. and come here instead =D read more

I've been going here for years; the food has always been slightly better than the other bakeries in the area, but today I had a rather unpleasant experience with the staff. Not realizing that I was Cantonese like them, I was completely ignored for about five minutes while I tried to ask for help at the counter in English. It was not busy at all, but there were three women at the counter working but effectively ignoring me. I've been here many times when I was younger and had no problem, I'm actually not quite sure what their deal was. They probably didn't realize I understood everything they were saying. Get your banh mi at Coungs and your pastries at Eldo instead. All that being said I cannot deny how good their rice noodles are, so I will probably begrudgingly come back here again. read more

Had to try their vietnamese sub after hearing it being touted as the best... the cold cut sub was good, but a bit more savory than the version had at 163. A well packed sandwich. A nice lunch for $2.75. You order it at the metal sandwich counter just beyond the bakery counter. read more

The pork in the banh mi is ham and while we were seated waiting for the sandwiches to be made, a giant rat ran past us, through the seating and underneath the refrigerator. read more

This review is solely for their banh mi's! After living in Chinatown for awhile, I have always passed by this place, which is tucked in on beach street, easy to overlook. Today, I decided to venture in! Mei sum is a Chinese bakery that also serves banh mis. I ordered a cold cut banh mi which is a Vietnamese sandwich that comes with Vietnamese cured meats. They toast the bread and take their time to make the sandwiches for you. The bread is fluffy and soft and they pack the sandwich with your choice of meat and pickled carrots and cilantro. The pâté spread that comes with banh mis is also very tasty. The bread isn't too crumbly and hard like other banh mi shops in Chinatown. This will definitely be my new go to banh mi shop! I will come back to try their other baked goods as well! read more

This place is the place I think of when I reflect on my childhood. Coffee that's $1 and pretty good for $1 coffee - and all the classic Asian baked goods like the char siu bao and the egg tart...PLUS it has a few things that I can really only find at Mei Sum in Chinatown: bánh pa tê sô which are Vietnamese Savory Meat Pies...beautifully flaky with savory filling that just fills me with contentment. And this all comes at really amazing prices. I've gone in and bought a host of things, all under $15. Really can't beat the affordability of this place and it has the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere that I adore. read more

My go to place to get a cake for any occasion, it's not too sweet and the frosting is super light plus the fruit is always fresh and is placed beautifully on the cake. I've been able to get a cake by placing an order just 2 days prior and they still do an amazing job! read more

Mei Sum - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

4.172 Stars (the name is "Mei Sum Bakery" should be fixed) Bahn mi are solid, they have mystery meat, tofu and beef. The bread is darker than other baguettes and they do warm them up, they ask you first. They do some nice bao, many are supersized. I also like the sticky rice. It's also a hangout so waiting for your order can be congested. They are not fast so be patient. * parking is difficult. there is a garage, but you should try the street first. * I'd call ahead for large orders. * I like the custard but I'm not a fan of sweet cakes, I just don't like sugar, read more

Takeout dim sum and banh mi sandwiches. The egg tarts were excellent. On the negative side, the baos were very "bready". The bbq pork buns- the meat was a bit fatty and the dough was under-baked. The banh mi were cold cuts, not pieces of bbq pork. I would not recommend banh mi here. I would recommend 163 Vietnamese instead for bbq pork banh mi which is more authentic. read more

I like me some Mei Sum. In my continuing quest to understand the Banh Mi phenomenon (sorry, Pho is like so 2 years ago *sticks his nose up*- alright still super tasty too but let's get back on track) that started at the food trucks on Boston City Hall and last took me to New Saigon, I was directed by other yelpers to Mei Sum. Mei Sum is actually a bakery as opposed to a sandwich shop. In other words, aside from the neon sign in the window that mentions sandwiches, when you walk in you probably wouldn't know they serve anything other than cakes, sweet buns, cookies, etc. Oh, but they do. Just to the left of the main counter is a separate sandwich station. You go and you ask for a sandwich. There's no menu so I relied on other Yelpers who provided there are 3kinds: beef, tofu, and nasty-bit/pate. I'm not quite ready to go all headcheese on it so I stuck with the beef. These sandwiches are even better than New Saigon. They actually put spicy (sort of) chilies on your sandwich when you ask. They veges are super yummy, and they give a more ample layer of beef (at 3 dollars I almost question the source of the meat but then I take another bite and I don't really care). I went 2 days in a row. I also got the coconut bun per some suggestions here and for 70 cents I got this warm, slightly sweet bun roughly the size of my forearm stuffed with coconutty filling. Very tasty. Today I got a box of almond cookies for my office for $3.75. They were a little on the blander/savory side of the spectrum tasting more nutty/salty than sweet but I liked em. Others didn't, but they can do their own review darn it. So why not 5-stars? or why the same as New Saigon? Well, I feel like 5-stars is an honor only bestowed upon the select few places I come to time and time again for a long time. 2x in a row doesn't qualify, but I thought about it. I still like New Saigon and their wider selection, but man Mei Sum is pretty special. P.S. What IS the deal with like three tables full of 80-something Vietnamese (I presume) dudes gabbing away in there everyday? read more

IT"S TRIVIA TIME!!! Can anyone name a place in Boston where 2 people can go eat a yummy lunch for under $10 dollars total? Wait a minute now, there is more to this question. It is illegal to name a place that starts with Mc.., Wen...Burg.. or any other cheap ass fast food place. Ready...GO! So the gf and I go to Mei Sum to try the Banh Mi and some pineapple cake. The bread was toasted to perfection in a small conventional oven. Then the sandwich is stuffed with beef (in one) and pork (in the other) along with cucumber, onions, carrots, cilantro, and hot peppers. The meat mixture with the soft bread and hot and cold veggies are the perfect combo that simply melt away as the go down. Also ordered some pineapple cake that was moist, soft, and delicious. If you are looking for something that is not too sweet, this is the perfect dessert for you. In fact ,the overall meal was very light and easy on the belly. We also ordered 2 mango/carrot juices. It was good. They tasted somewhat like a V8 splash. So, let's tally it up. 2 Banh Mi sandwiches: $6 dollars 2 Mango and carrot juices: $3 dollars 1 pineapple pound cake: $0.90 cents Total: $9.90 dollars. It looks like we have a winner to my above question. If this was a Mastercard commercial, now would be the time where I said PRICELESS! BTW, cash only peeps. read more

To the uninitiated a visit to Mei Sum would be a challenge - no menu and no clear indication that there is anything available other than the cakes on display. The old Asian men sitting at the tables drinking coffee do kind of stare too. Fortunately, the ladies at the counter are very welcoming and confirm that they do indeed sell Banh Mi and they will make it while you wait. She started by toasting the bread. It is a crispy on the outside, soft and light on the inside French baguette. The first time I went I got the pork (cold cuts) which consisted of random cuts of meat, cucumber, fish sauce, daikon, onion, thai chilis and of course cilantro. It was amazing. Spicy and full of flavour. Generous portions. For only $3 this is an amazing deal. The second time I got the beef, and while I really enjoyed it, I preferred the cold cuts. I also got a pineapple bun which was only 75c. Now I have to try the egg custard..... read more

Great selection! Mei Sum offers banh mi, dim sum, Asian buns, pastries and drinks, soda... the list goes on. I think the banh mi's just OK, but for the price, how can you complain? I come here for lunch from time to time because you get your money's worth. They've got awesome paper wrapped sponge cake and pineapple buns. I don't think you can go wrong. However, as with other bakeries, you've got to go at a good time! Some of their goodies might not be that fresh if it's not from the latest batch! On another note, DO NOT USE THEIR RESTROOM! Holy crap,it was terrifying. read more

Pretty cheap, and a really cool baked goods place. They have something peculiar called "Mexico bun" which has a somewhat half salty and half sweet top on top of a soft sweet bread roll. Perhaps the cakes are not as fresh as some other places', but there is a lot of good stuff here! read more

What a great discovery. Who would have thought walking under all that scaffolding would result in the discovery of a delicious banh mi? It is easy to miss due to the current construction going on at the parking deck in Chinatown, but it's totally worth looking for. The place itself isn't anything amazing, just your average Chinatown "deli." I've only tried their "Bird Nest Cake" out of their display case and all I can say is...DO NOT GET THIS!!! It will be tempting due to the cheap price of $1, but it's totally not worth it. Just think, how bad would something have to be to be not worth a dollar!? What you go here for is the COLD CUT sandwich. It is amazing! And, it only costs $3, now this is totally worth every penny. Go check it out! read more

I confess I was a bit surprised when I first walked into Mei Sum bakery. I knew other reviewers had forewarned that it's a hole in the wall but I was still not convinced that it could possibly live up its reputation for being one of the best banh me places in Boston. On the way other banh me joints in the area tried to lure me in with glossy photos in the window tempting me with promises of grilled beef and crunchy pickled vegetables on a crusty baguette, but still I pressed on to the non descript building with the red awing getting slightly unnerved that nothing it's appearance indicated the promised banh me could be found here. I ventured in -thankfully I knew that I wanted the bbq beef since there is no menu anywhere and gave my order to the lady. She took a baguette out, put the meat in and put in the toaster oven for about 30-60 seconds. I told her I didn't want any onions, she understood but asked if wanted it spicy. I did. A few minutes and inexplicably only $2.75 later I had one of the nicest most satisfying sandwiches ever. Tender marinated savory meat, topped with very fresh pickled vegetables (shredded carrots and daikon radish) a crisp spear of cucumber, some sprigs of coriander, thin slices of green hot peppers that give off just a mild amount of heat, and just enough fish sauce and mayo to make it juicy and moist without being the least bit soggy or greasy. Bread was crusty on the outside and soft and warm on inside. Beef would have been better if it had in fact been bbqed and had a grilled taste to it but it was still tender and very very flavorful. Bring cash, don't be put off by the lack of atmosphere or menu and enjoy! read more

Their banh mi makes it worth it to come in here and be stared down by all the regulars. It takes a bit longer than the other banh mi stops in the area but that's ok because they toast the bread to order rather than having it sit there drying out all afternoon. The sauce applied is delicious and really makes my whole day better. I can't speak to anything else in there as I hardly dawdle but the sandwich my god the sandwich is delicious! If they had more variety this would be four stars all the way... read more

I slobbered and drooled all over their glass cases as I carefully calculated which pastry would bring me the greatest pleasure especially since the rules of inflation haven't seem to have hit Chinatown yet - meaning the average cake square or bun will be $.85-$1. "Uh..gimme one of those melon buns..and two of those chocolate cakes...Let's go with this spongy mushroom-looking cupcake on steroids. A coconut bun and a coconut jelly roll...and that's it." Melon bun was like they injected the damn things with oil-filled syringes...and it was so weird how frickin' greasy and oily that thing was considering it was so dry! Remarkably bad! The coconut was a little better but I only think that's because the coconut distracted from the oily, crackly mess of the bun. The chocolate cake looked so much better than it tasted. I think it was old and stale...and pretty tasteless... The coconut jelly roll was moist and yummy but the real winner was the bulbous "cake" thingy that looked kind of like a mushroom cloud after an atomic bomb goes off. It was heaven... it wasn't overly sweet (Chinese baked goods are traditionally less sweet than American ones) and super moist. It was like a sponge cake but more dense...delightful. Um...are you impressed that I ate all these things in one stroll around Chinatown? They should take my polaroid and put it up on the wall. read more

I've walked into this bakery a handful of times now and I only walk out with one thing: durian taro cake. If you like durian, you should definitely try this cake. Like all Asian cake, there is just enough sweetness. I really like how the taro adds a different texture in contrast to the durian. My sister said the texture of the taro reminded her of mashed potato, which I will agree with. But I don't think this is a bad thing because for anyone whose had durian before it's really creamy with ribbons of the flesh, So the taro adds a nice hearty texture and taste. One thing I wish this cake had is some fresh cream (read my Eldo cake house review for my new fav durian cake!) There is this layer of jelly-like covering, which is infused with pandan. I just don't think it adds anything to the cake. Overall, this cake is still a family favorite. My cousin traveled from Boston to New Haven,CT via Amtrak with this cake. Many passengers commented on the smell on the train, and it was quite embarrassing but we go to great lengths for this cake! For anyone whose never tried durian, but tempted to try this cake, I would advise you to start small. Go to New Dong Khanh or pretty much anywhere in Chinatown and order yourself a durian shake. I say this because at $11 a slice (pretty good size though, probably feeds 2) it is expensive. read more

Mei Sum - Durian taro cake for my birthday! - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

I went in search of Mei Sum after reading the rave reviews here on Yelp. I mean, $3 for a bánh mì sandwich? I had to see this with my own eyes. Unfortunately this tiny bakery is kind of like Platform 9 3/4 in the Harry Potter movies: tricky to find unless you know exactly what to look for. The cramped space is filled with old Asian men and boxes piled to the ceiling. With no menu in sight, I felt like a silly white girl when asking for the bánh mì (I had to repeat myself 3 times before the pleasant lady behind the counter understood lol). The barbecue beef bánh mì is FILLED with really fresh sweet-and-sour carrots, cucumbers, daikon, onions, hot peppers, and tons of cilantro. In fact, the veggies were so crunchy, I was surprised to find out they're actually "pickled". Whatever they are, they're delicious. The marinated beef was perfect. And the bread is just redonk - toasty golden and crispy on the outside, super soft on the inside. The ONLY downside to this delish sandwich was the heavy use of a sweet mayo...most likely Miracle Whip? Now, I LIKE mayonnaise, but too much Miracle Whip on anything is a no-no in my book. The first bite is fine, but after awhile it gets to be too sickeningly-sweet. Next time I return to Mei Sum, I'll ask them not to add so much to my sandwich. read more

I continue my quest through Chinatown for banh mi sandwiches. Most of this review will be a comparison to New Saigon, the only other place I've tried. On the bright side, the bread is toasted, which gives it a very nice crunchy texture. The spicy version (ask for it) has a decent kick. And this place actually has seats (although they are often filled up with old Asian men drinking coffee and talking). On the dark side, the sandwich is smaller than New Saigon, and can leave you a bit hungry. I tried the tofu here, and it was pretty good, but didn't have the flavor of New Saigon or as many crunchy veggies. I also tried the pork sandwich, which was disgusting. My fault to some extent for ordering it, but I pictured a nicely cooked pork rather than a slimy pork liver and pate with mayo. read more

I still can't make up my mind about which of Chinatown's bakeries is my favorite, but at the moment it's Mei Sum. The old guys who while away their mornings here give this place a pleasantly insider-ish atmosphere, but the ladies behind the counter are happy to serve anyone who walks in the door, whether or not they belong to the breakfast club. Unlike the staff at some of the other bakeries, the Mei Sum ladies will even list all of the available items for you in English or Cantonese. I'm a fan of the roast buns, savory or sweet, because they're kept conveniently warm in a dry heater behind the counter, but they'll gladly heat up any of the offerings in the refrigerated case, such as the steamed pork buns. Everything pairs with the smooth coffee they sell for a dollar a pop from a giant carafe against the wall. By the way, in case you buy one of every single filled roast bun they have and forget which is which, they've handily associated each filling with a different topping. As I recall it's no topping = pork, sesame seeds = beef, cookie topping = taro, cookie topping with sesame seeds = red bean. Don't take my word for it, though - ask the aunties. read more

Mei Sum - Best banh mi in Boston Chinatown! - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The "cold cut" banh mi was perfect. I thought most banh mi in chinatown were about the same. but afer eating one today from Mei Sum I was wrong. Wow, this was the best I've had - bread was fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft inside...not stale. And there was a lot of meat inside w/ pate spread...so good. I've also gotten their pork buns which are above avg also, they have a hint of ginger in them. And their cream rolls are good too. I'll be back for other goodies. It doesn't look like much when you walk in, but it's good stuff. read more

THUMP THUMP THUMP What's that? No I'm sorry ma'am, I'm just all toki doki about because I can order banh mi and steamed pork buns from the same place could I have a beef banh mi and a pork bun I wait in anticipation. It's perfect. I almost want to stuff the banh mi and pork bun into my mouth at the same time. but no, it would be too much, everything would be ruined. it's simply aces. Both items are just as they should be. Staff was all perfectly friendly and, though a white guy that walked in after me got a git of the gaijin look, I felt perfectly welcome. On top of the luxury of having baked goods and Vietnamese sandwiches they also have CHAIRS and TABLES!!!!!! Yay!!!!! :runs around for 5 minutes then abruptly stops: There is little that can be done to improve this spot. While still being a basic place it has most of the things that you could want. Now if they could just manage to hire the girl that used to work at Lu's.......... read more

I really love coming here for Banh Mi and Pineapple Bread (best when still warm). The ladies at the counter are always patient and nice. Last week I dropped by at closing time and unfortunately couldn't get a Banh Mi. The owner gave me a business card. She told me to call ahead 15 minutes before closing to let them know I wanted a sandwich and they'd have it for me. Works for me! read more

Awesome mom and pop joint! Cheap, delicious banh mi's ($4.50) and bomb pastries. I really love the vibe as well, with TV in the back playing Hong Kong shows and the old neighborhood guys shooting the shit up front. read more

Don't be fooled by the appearance, yes you walk in and you are being looked at by a sea of elderly Asian men but the banh mi is quite tasty. every time I go to Chinatown my boyfriend asks me to get him a spicy beef from this place. What's even funnier is I never knew the name, because I have always approached it from an angle at which I cannot see the sign on the top of the awning (poor marketing if you ask me, but hey, im there for the food, i dont give a crap about the name..its Chinatown people..) My pull to this dingy place....the pork buns, dumplings, shu-mai, spring rolls, and just about anything you see in the case (pork cakes, melon cake, strawberry cake...you name it.) 6 good sized shrimp dumplings (best ive tasted since moving to boston) for 1.80.......I'm never getting dumplings anywhere else. The buns are beautiful on there own when warmed but i like to take it to the next level, and eat them with fresh cilantro and siriacha ...i almost make a sandwich out of the bun...and it is worth the extra effort. Other than the fact that im obsessed with small, ma and pop operations (call it divey, call it quaint, call it whatever...its not p.f changs, thats all i care about) this one definitley has my vote read more

I don't understand what all the hype is about, but this place is not worth going to if you are looking for authentic Vietnamese banh mi. Trust me, I was born in Viet Nam (see how I spelled it?), grew up in a Vietnamese household, and have had wayyyyy too many banh mi from Sai Gon to New York City to count. 1. The bread is ALL wrong. It's skinny and too dense, not flaky or crumbly or crispy enough to hold the deliciousness of the fillings. The ends were hard and chunky, I couldn't even consume them. 2. No matter what you get, the filling is rather skimpy and the size of the sandwich is on the small end, but then you're only paying $3.00 so why not? Why of course not!! Spend the extra 50 cents and go a block elsewhere for a bigger sized stuffed with filling banh mi! I usually can only finish 3/4 of a banh mi, but I finished this and wanted more - of something else. 3. Depending on what you get, the filling might not be tasty or authentic. The cold cut sandwich (is that what they refer it as in English? I'm more used to banh mi thit gui) is proper and good, not worth raving about but still good, but the BBQ banh mi drove me insane. Technically the sandwich should be called a grilled meat banh mi, because the meat is marinated in a special seasoning and grilled over charcoal to get a smokey, charred flavor, but this was not even grilled! Its like stewed meat with more of an Indian/Chinese inspired seasoning, which is nothing at all like any of the BBQ banh mi I ever ate. It was like American BBQ meat with an odd seasoning, that wasn't even tasty, and in the end its all about taste folks. So that's my two cents, and my first review on yelp, yes, I have never been inspired enough to write about a food visit, but this certainly warranted it. As a side note, if your going for the baked goods, sure, they look tasty and its worth occasional drop in, but I've had better, fresher, and cheaper in the area so be adventurous and look around. read more

If you go into Mei Sum just for the sweets, you are gravely mistaken. Yes, they have a huge display of cakes, sweet buns, and other sticky things, but as far as I can tell they are only tasty to real-deal Vietnamese folks. Everyone else finds them mediocre. Go to Mei Sum for the Banh Mi. Perfect bread (crackling and light), deliciously fresh fillings, great Asian mayo sauce, and incredibly friendly service. Don't expect to get a table, because they are mostly taken up by elderly Vietnamese men maximizing their bottomless cups of coffee. Pay your $2.50, get your banh mi to go, walk up to the Common, and experience the best sandwich in Boston. And then walk back and do it again because you want another one right now, and at that price, why not? read more

Without a doubt, Mei Sum is hands down my favorite banh mi place in Boston. The meat (I usually get beef) is always tender and not 'mystery-meat'-like, the veggies are super fresh and crisp, and the sauce moistens up the bread just a tiny bit. The bread is toasted after you order, and the whole sandwich is just all around deliciousness for $2.75! Despite the somewhat questionable interior of Mei Sum, every ingredient in the sandwich tasted fresh and not sketchy at all. Admittedly, I wasn't quite sure if this was the right place after stepping in after reading Yelp reviews. Every table inside was occupied by an old man clutching a mug of hot tea and it was a little dark and dingy looking inside. I didn't have any desire to try the baked goods in the glass case (they didn't look terribly fresh) but the big heated glass case behind the counter with the pineapple buns looked promising. The only minor quibble I have is that there is no menu inside for banh mi or anything else. There's simply a sign outside that states they have banh mi. What kind of banh mi is up to you to find out from the super nice ladies from behind the counter. But $2.75 for an amazing sandwich, I really can't complain at all. I'll be coming to Mei Sum for my banh mi needs as long as I'm in Boston. read more

My stomping grounds were the chinese coffee shops in Chinatown, NYC. This little place (albeit bigger than most dives back home) brought back childhood memories of trying to get my order in with the ladies behind the counter. They could tell I'm an ABC. But they accomodated when I managed to whip out the names of food items in cantonese. The banh mi was good not the best but they get 5 stars from me for having all the standards and extras. I can't even describe in english the stuff I was surprise to find and bought on my first visit. I even asked about a certain bun that is hard to find. The lady asked me how many i wanted. i told her anther time since I had already bought enough to last me for the next two weeks. This shop is the real thing. Nothing fancy but solid buns, sponge cakes, dim sum, steamed desserts, etc. read more

An open love(ish) letter: Dear Mei Sum, Sum babay. Mei my love. Mei sum doll. I really want to like you so much more than I do, but I just can't. I've come here several times in the last couple weeks and after careful consideration, and multiple purchases from your pastry counters and hot food selections, I am sadly only still in a "mm, that was O-K" phase. And it's not that you didn't try! I mean your Bahn Mi breads are toasted to a crunchy exterior and soft chewy center. Your spicy tofu Bahn mi has the small bits of jalapenos instead of the giant slices from other places that sends my mouth to a delicious spicy hell. Your pineapple buns sit in an oven all day and stay relatively warm and are amazingly cheap. It's just... and don't take this the wrong way, but your kind of basic. Your beef in the Bahn mi is mysteriously chewy if I must say so. There's practically no mayo or spicy sauce on your sandwiches. You leave UNCOOKED DUMPLINGS on a non refrigerated counter. It's just, Mei Sum, baby, you're not making it easy with your endless rows of black bean cakes, pies, and pastries, but I think we're going to have to see each other a lot less. Your just not meeting my sandwich needs and your pastries are inconsistently fresh / stale. Wipe away those tears though. I'll be back! Really I will. Even if it's just to grab a pineapple bun and maybe some red bean bread, but I'm going to start looking at my other options. read more

My favorite place for traditional Vietnamese pork subs. For only $2.50, you get a very filling and scrumptious meal minus the artery-clogging unneccessities of American fast food joints. I swear, there are veggies in there! In this particular case, they make their sandwiches with a softer, yet still crisp baguette. I enjoy these much more. I like spicy, but if you don't, request "No chilis" because the standard order comes with them. The counter service is done right with a smile. Other strong points are the chow fun (fried rice noodle with delicate pink shrimp layered within), which unassumingly sit in styrofoam containers on the front counter with a petite sign "$2.50." I dream about their egg custards and beef in buttery French dough. Oily, yet marvelous. Yum! Plus, the atmosphere here with the old Asian men from the neighborhood gathering together for the morning gossip is really adorable. read more

I always come here for the taro and durian cake! This place has the most reasonable price for this cake compared to other bakeries in Chinatown. The cake has a lot of taro and durian which makes it so tasty! And both of those things are my favorite. They go so well with each other. The good thing is you only need to order 30 mins in advance for the cake. The bad thing is you need to finish it in 3 days since it goes bad quickly. Also remember to bring cash. read more

Mei Sum - Durian and taro cake - Bakeries Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts