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Banh's Cuisine
Categories: Restaurants Vietnamese Restaurants Chinese Vietnamese, Chinese [Edit]
750 9th StDurham, NC 27705
(919) 286-5073
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for Banh's Cuisine
Review Highlights
"The fried tofu with black bean sauce and those crispy..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Every Wednesday and Saturday, they have home cooked..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Love the sticky rice Big Fan."
(in 8 reviews)
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Kristen E.
Durham, NC
1/4/2012
Banh's is the source of comfort food for me in Durham, NC (my home town). It's a small hole-in-the-wall -- plastic plates, sink outside the two gender-specific cubicles -- but the folks are delightful, the food is good, and an amazing value. Get the daily special, whatever it is, and it will arrive freshly cooked, steaming, and loaded with vegetables (usually onions, carrots, and broccoli). Caveat: You might want to time your arrival so that you get food freshly cooked, rather than something that's been sitting on the steam table. I also avoid Saturdays; I don't find the more supposedly Vietnamese dishes offered to be that good.
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Review from matthew f.
Hillsborough, NC
2/1/2012
My heart says 5 stars, but my brain and belly say 3. The owners/staff are hard not to love. Quiet, sweet, and friendly. I love family-run holes in the wall. For all of that, my heart says 5 stars.
Belly speaking now: I've been picking up the vegetarian special on Wednesdays for years and plan to continue. I love the tofu and sticky rice. The black bean sauce is a bit overpowering, but tasty in small doses. The broccoli in the vegetarian special tastes like it was burnt on a propane burner, but somehow I still like it. The shrimp special is tasty too, but not something I can eat too often as I tire on the taste. The prices are a great deal. I never get anything but the specials as they seem really blah to me. If you've never been, you should definitely give them a try. -
Review from Liana L.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Banh's cuisine reminds me more of a typical (authentic) Chinese take-out place - you know, one of those places where you can get a rice box with 3 different very filling sides for $4. Except it's more expensive and you only get one side, but as far as Durham goes, this is pretty good.
It's hard for me to judge Banh's because my roommate (who is not Asian and grew up in a predominantly-white suburban town) absolutely loves Banh's and comes here at least once a week. From her perspective, Banh's is amazing. She's never had anything like this before and it seems incredibly cheap (considering how filling it is). Unfortunately, this simply tastes generic to me.
Of course, it's definitely a valid option; if I'm craving hearty, comfort nondescript Chinese food, I would come here. I'm not sure why it's considered Vietnamese, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a Vietnamese place. -
Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
I'd impatiently waited for a Wednesday or Saturday when Phil & I were free to try the notorious Viet specials at Banh's. Walking distance to pho in the Triangle? Sounds too good to be true. And unfortunately it is.
The shop is pretty small with some indoor and outdoor seating. Very plain. No music playing, even. And cash only. Most of the patrons we saw coming and going got their goods to-go. The woman behind the counter (owner, I presume) was very sweet. They were out of a mung bean/banana leaf dish I'd really wanted and am nostalgic about; so we tried the curry chicken turnover instead. He ordered the vegetarian special (tofu and black-bean sauce) and I got the pho. The dishes were around $6 or 7 which is reasonable.
But it was a crying shame! Not a shadow of cilantro or bean sprouts or jalapenos. There were green onions. But otherwise, it was almost like eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup that had tofu, a single mushroom cap, some bok choy, and julienned carrots. I had to load it up with hot sauce to make it more interesting. It just was not very authentic -- seemed to be cutting corners, really. That said, I did enjoy the bite I took of Phil's fried tofu in black bean sauce. The sticky rice was also pretty good. It came with a spring roll. And the helpings appeared to be very generous.
At the end of the day, I have to give it two stars because I've certainly had better in the area. I think this place earns fame for being a cheap college-town meal that's an alternative to pizza and subs. But when the craving for Viet food strikes, I'll be hopping in the car for a broader menu and better eats.Listed in: The Asian Invasion, Triangle Vietnamese
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Review from Stuart A.
Cary, NC
11/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
The owner here is super mega nice and friendly, which is worth some stars in itself.
However, I can't give this place full marks because I was slightly disappointed with my pho ga. They used broad Chinese noodles instead of the standard thin pho noodles, and a weird combination of wilted cilantro and basil. The broth was good, though. The rest of the menu has kind of a Viet cast to it, but I can't say that anything my dinner companions got looked really appealing.
I might go back once more just to see if anything else on the menu is palatable. Fingers crossed. -
Review from Brian L.
Chapel Hill, NC
11/9/2011
Great lunch specials. Great vegetarian options. Easy and quick. Frankly, aside from Gourmet Kingdom in Carrboro, this is one of the better places I have found in Durham/CH area.
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Review from Meghan B.
Washington, DC
7/19/2010 2 photos
Loved the food, loved the smells, loved the adorable lady that I assume is the owner. Did not really love that the sink for the bathroom is communal and in full view of the other restaurant patrons, but c'est la vie.
Went on a Wednesday to try the vegetarian specials and wasn't disappointed. For $6, I got what seemed like a whole block of delicious fried tofu with black bean sauce vegetables and sticky rice. Partner in food-crime Susan Z. got their shrimp special for the night which was light and refreshing.
Quick tips: bring cash, and go before 6:30pm if you don't want to wait in a line that stretches outside the tiny place. That's the sign of a good food joint. -
Review from John L.
8/5/2010
Good, relatively cheap Vietnamese dinner on 9th Street.
I ended up eating here with Meghan B, Elizabeth M (who should write some Yelp Reviews :-O ), and Greg and Derek (who don't have Yelp profiles). The specials are well-laid out and explained on the wall, perfect for quick ordering once one knows what they're getting.
I ended up with a lemon shrimp dish. It was quite good, especially considering seafood can always be iffy anywhere. But the shrimp and the lemon and the noodles all combined well, and the ground peanuts were also a nice added touch to an excellent meal.
They also have outside seating, which is perfect for people watching on 9th Street.
All in all, a good cheap meal and a good option, particularly on Wednesday nights. -
Review from Betty Y.
New York, NY
1/18/2011
I've never actually ordered anything but the vegetarian special (available only on Wednesdays and Saturdays), but that plate is one of my favorite foods ever. The tofu is fried perfectly crisp on the outside but still soft on the inside, and the black bean sauce is finger-lickin' good. I don't even get the summer roll that usually comes with it.... just more tofu and rice please. :)
I'm taking a one-star deduction only because the other things that I've tried (from picking off other people's plates) have all been very mediocre. But seriously, go for the vegetarian plate!! -
Review from Charles W.
Durham, NC
8/5/2011 18 Check-ins Here
Love this place for life!!! Weds and Sat. Specials featuring home style cooked dishes!!! Love the sticky rice Big Fan!!!
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Review from X X.
Los Angeles, CA
5/18/2010 2 Check-ins Here
After all of the hype about Banh's vegetarian tofu special, I made my way to the tiny shop to try it.
Not impressed.
Seriously, I'm not sure what the fascination with this dish is. Maybe it was a bad batch, but in that case it makes them inconsistent, which is just the same as being consistently bad in my mind. The tofu were soggy, not crispy. The black bean sauce tasted like it came out of a jar and was overly sweet. The sticky rice resembled glue more than rice. To top it off, the entire thing was served lukewarm. It was a disaster on a plate.
I have nothing against hole-in-the-wall restaurants, but there better be good food if you expect me eat while flies are constantly swarming around my plate. -
Review from Angela S.
Durham, NC
12/6/2008
Considering the absolute lack of good asian food around here, this place is darn awesome.
i learned to go on Wed and Sat, when they have their special menus. All the other days seem like pretty bad american-chinese food. like kung pao chicken. piew piew.
but on wed and sat, they got pretty good stuff like tofu with black bean sauce, wonton noodle soup, and pho chai. i think it's one of the best viet places around here (out of the like... 3) -
Review from Brian W.
Raleigh, NC
1/2/2009
There are two good reasons for going to Banh's: either you're stuck on Ninth Street and allergic to non-Asian food, or you have only three dollars in your pocket.
It is the latter of the these two scenarios that has brought me back to Banh's over the years. And I have to say that there are far worse places to eat cheap food. Sure it's mostly American-style "Chinese", but why is that necessarily a bad thing? I sometimes like a little sweet-and-sour pork with that gross red stuff poured all over it. It's comfort food.
Don't go here for atmosphere, or gourmet cuisine. Do go here for a fairly tasty, completely satisfying meal under five bucks. -
Review from Amy H.
7/1/2010
Most every Wednesday night is "Bahn's Night." The veggie plate is so amazing. I've tried a few other dishes and am not a fan. It may be that my taste is spoiled by the veggie plate...
It can get pretty busy (since this is their most popular night), so come off peak.
One would think it would be smart to have their most popular menu be the normal menu, but perhaps they want to keep the wonderment of Wednesdays. -
Review from Luke C.
Durham, NC
12/21/2007 4 Check-ins Here
Bahn's is an institution in the Bull City. Every Wednesday and Saturday, they have home cooked Vietnamese food. This place attracts lots people on those days, but can appear quiet on others.
What one considers cute, another could consider low-brow. Bahn's only has about 4-6 dishes, the names of which are posted up on the board behind the counter. They rotate the dishes throughout the week, so if you come everyday of the week, you should see different dishes.
There is no table service, it's all DIY. Pretty low key affair, but reliable.
If you're in need of a reasonable asian fix (the food kind), bahn's is a safe bet. The only thing is that dishes can be on the salty side!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Kat M.
Durham, NC
1/20/2010 38 Check-ins Here
I LOVE Banh's. If it's Wednesday or Saturday, there is a greater than 75% chance that I have been to Banh's that day for the vegetarian special. The fried tofu with black bean sauce and those crispy onions on top... my mouth salivates just thinking about it.
Admittedly it isn't the cleanest or very chic but the staff are so friendly and it is a great place for people watching. Apparently fried tofu for less than $7 is the great equalizer. The most diverse group of people come here and I love that Banh's feels like a real neighborhood place.
There is better food but Twisted Noodle takes forever and has the most inattentive waitstaff and that place in Cary is too far away for me day to day.
Plus they always exchange the roll on Saturday's for the steamed veggies with no hassle and I dig that chili-garlic hot sauce in the tubs next to the cash register! Love you Banh's! -
Review from Juan P.
Durham, NC
2/13/2010
I don't usually like tofu, but theirs is terrific. Chicken and broccoli is a simple standard that they make incredibly well.
I don't mind the simple decor since the prices are so low. -
Review from Oliver C.
Durham, NC
6/27/2009
Banh's is a small, very informal asian restaurant on 9th street. I had the oft talked about vegetarian special and it was pretty good, but I wouldn't say amazing by any stretch of the imagination. Jade Palace in Carrboro or Twisted Noodles in Durham have much better tofu dishes.
But Bahn's is decent, cheap and in central Durham so that makes it okay in my book. The people that work there are extremely nice as well. CASH ONLY! -
Review from Kate B.
Durham, NC
3/31/2011
Easily one of the best spots in Durham. The vegetarian special (Wednesdays & Saturdays) is the best food I have ever had, and the people who work there could not be nicer. I always have a perfect experience at Banh's, and I will always cherish it dearly. GO! Cash only btw.
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Review from Jon B.
Livermore, CA
10/12/2010
Every Wednesday and Saturday they serve more 'authentic' food. I found the food to be flavorful and well priced. I ordered the 'Friday special. It was served promptly. 'I will visit again on a Wednesday or a Saturday to try the more authentic meals. Inexpensive and not very flashy.
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Review from Lydia N.
4/6/2010
Maybe I should've gotten the vegetarian special? I had seen all these amazing Yelp reviews and stumbled upon this place. So of course, I had to go in. Since it's called Banh's cuisine, I expected them to have banh mi...sadly not so. Instead I got an order of sticky rice - a little styrofoam plate with a generous scoop of sticky rice topped with seasoning (salt +..?) and peanuts. Nothing too fancy, but very filling and appetizing. And cheap. I would come back here again, but I wouldn't call it a destination.
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Review from Lauren P.
10/17/2009
Love it. Veggie #3 on Wed is the best! I'm usually short on cash or don't have any at all, but when I do I (and it's a Wednesday or Saturday) I make sure to stop by Bahn's. It's a great, small, Asian restaurant on Ninth Street. There's very little indoor/outdoor seating, so it's a great place to call ahead and order take out. If you arrive at an off time you can probably grab a table to yourself, otherwise, prepare to make new friends!
Listed in: Cheap, Good Eats in Durham
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Review from Andrew D.
9/14/2010
On Vietnamese Wednesday - whatever they served me, it wasn't Vietnamese.
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Review from SK F.
Durham, NC
4/17/2010
Dropped by for the Saturday vegetarian plate special (also available on Wednesdays) per the Carpe Durham blog recommendation. Yum! That plate gets five stars - very affordable and delicious. Comes with fried tofu, sticky rice with peanuts and a vegetarian roll. Would definitely return for that alone and may try some of the other fare, though am a bit dubious about food sitting under lights.
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Review from Craig P.
Durham, NC
2/2/2010
Amazing tofu, great Vietnamese specials on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Solid vegetarian options every day of the week! Filling, tasty, quick and cheap - Banh's is a West Durham institution!
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Review from Kristie P.
Durham, NC
3/29/2006
i don't have to miss bahn's anymore now that we are back in durham and within walking distance! hooray. i am excited about the veggie wonton soup on wednesdays and also the veggie noodle soup on saturday. thank you to bahn's for adding some new, yummy veggie options!
previous review:
i miss bahn's so much. i try and try to find something similar to their number 8 in san francisco but never can. If you haven't had their number 8 special on saturday (also wednesday) then you are really missing out. It's a plate of perfectly fried tofu, but it's not super firm tofu, in fact it's kind of soft. it's covered in a delicious black bean gravy with fried onions..my mouth waters thinking about it. on the side is some sticky rice that is a little sweet and has peanuts and sesame seeds on top. also on the side is a yummy spring roll and a hoisin sauce, with peanuts, to dip it in. i haven't had a number 8 since october and i don't know the next time i will get one. it's really pretty sad. -
Review from Henry S.
Manhattan, NY
7/12/2008 1 photo
In the sea of 9th street restaurants, Banh's stands out as one of the only Asian food offerings on the strip. Banh's isn't the cleanest place in the world, but the delicious Vietnamese offerings definitely make up for any lost points. All of their noodle dishes are great, as are the spring rolls. It's tough because they product offerings change so frequently, so sometimes my favorites aren't available. The employees are always friendly and the food comes out fast, and the prices are extremely friendly. Despite not being aesthetically-pleasing, Banh's is a great stop on 9th street.
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Review from Mat F.
Durham, NC
5/26/2007
Just wanted to completely second everything Kristie P said.. i just had it again today, and i've had nearly every week for the past 3 months. ok time to find something new.
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Review from Dane S.
Durham, NC
3/24/2009 1 Check-in Here
A nice low key eat-on-the-street type place place. Interesting cultural hub.
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Review from Justin D.
Atlanta, GA
7/16/2008
The veggie plate special (Wednesdays & Saturdays) was excellent, and included fried tofu and sticky rice. I got the Kung Pao chicken, which was only average. The place is tiny so be ready to take out or get cozy on busy days. Atmosphere was very casual and perfect for a low key, low cost lunch. Cash only.
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Review from Melissa W.
Washington, DC
3/10/2010
the place doesn't look great, but the food is really good. try the kung pao chicken or the tofu options!
