We aren’t short of incredible eateries in Teesside, but one of the most unique is Banh Mi. This spot had been on my list ever since it opened up earlier in 2021 (I was actually meant to go to the launch, but covid managed to get in the way!), and I’m pleased to say I’ve finally been!
As you might’ve seen in my Teesside Restaurant Week 2021 post, Banh Mi were taking part in the 3 courses for £15 offer. This was the perfect opportunity to go along and give the spot a try! Tables here get booked up super quickly, but we booked as soon as it was announced, giving us time to get really excited about our visit.
What makes Banh Mi so unique?
Before we dive into the details about what we ate and my thoughts, let’s chat a bit about the restaurant as a whole. This cosy spot offers up a range of Asian fusion dishes, so it’s ideal if you like a touch of heat and Asian flavours. But the thing that makes it completely unique to other Teesside restaurants is the fact that it’s underground. Yup, you have to head down the stairs to dine directly below Norton Green, which gives this spot such a fantastic edge.
What sort of dishes can I get?
Banh Mi have a fantastic menu with lots of different options, including classic Asian favourites, like Thai curries, beef cheek rendang, and beautiful satay skewers. But I think the most popular dish is the weeping tiger, which features slices of skirt steak marinated in Thai spices, served with Asian greens salad, and hot and sour dipping sauce. It just looks amazing! Make sure you check out the full Banh Mi menu here.
Where is Banh Mi?
If I’ve already whet your appetite and you fancy experiencing this spot, you’ll find Banh Mi at 68A The Green, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1DT. There’s a little car park just around the corner, but you can also park on the street for free after 6PM.
Sensational starters at Banh Mi
So as part of Teesside Restaurant Week, the Banh Mi team made a set menu of starters, mains and desserts to choose from. And everything on the menu sounded incredible, but Matthew and I like to choose something different each so we can sample both. So for Matthew, it was the chicken satay skewers that jumped out straight away. These gorgeously grilled skewers were served up with a pot of satay sauce and a topping of peanuts. They were incredibly tender and the satay flavour was amazing. Plus, the extra peanuts added a fab texture!
I chose the pork laab for my starter (which I actually didn’t get a photo of – oops!) and it was a new dish for me. The only way I can think to describe it is like a deconstructed salad with super tasty meat and a blend of textures. There was cleaver chopped pork with fresh ginger, coriander, and something that gave it a kick of heat. There was also a side of iceberg lettuce and crispy fried shallots, so when everything was mixed together, it was just unreal.
Marvellous mains at Banh Mi
The starters were beautiful, but it was all about the main event! I absolutely couldn’t resist the Korean smoked brisket with kimchi and a soft boiled egg. I love brisket and the thought of tender beef combined with Korean flavours was just too much to handle. And I’m pleased to say that it was everything I imaged! The beef was so soft and juicy, and the rice was gently spiced. It all worked together so perfectly and I even enjoyed the boiled egg, which took me completely by surprise.
Matthew was torn between the brisket and the Thai red curry, but in the end, he opted for the curry with sticky rice. I don’t think he realised quite how spicy it was going to be, and he was a bit flushed after finishing it. But he managed to clean out the whole bowl, enjoying every bit of the chicken thigh and red pepper combo with his own little pot of rice. It looked jaw-droppingly good and it was definitely the perfect thing for a chilly evening.
Delightful desserts at Banh Mi
And of course, the final course was our desserts, both of which were the ideal way to round off our little date. Matthew chose the peanut butter parfait with peanut brittle and dark rum caramel, as you can see in the image. I had a little sample and I was so jealous! The peanut butter was like a warm paste, which doesn’t sound great, but trust me, it was lush. And it was even better when paired with the dark rum caramel, which was sweet and rich, contrasting perfectly against the salty peanuts.
After being stuffed by the other two dishes, I wanted something easy for dessert, so I chose the chocolate brownie. This little guy was topped off with candied ginger, which took the brownie to the next level! The brownie itself was super rich and indulgent, but with the ginger, it was so elevated.
Overall, the pair of us were so happy with our trip. We loved the experience of going underground, the food was phenomenal, and the staff were just fantastic. There was nothing about the date that we would change, so the pair of us would highly recommend Banh Mi to anyone looking for places to eat in Norton! Make sure you also check out the spot on Facebook or Instagram.
