There’s quite a bit of choice when it comes to Vietnamese food in Hobart, especially with the staple banh mi bread roll.

A few years back I enjoyed an incredible trip from Hanoi in Northern Vietnam, down to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Along the way it was a fascinating culinary journey, one that comes flooding back the moment I see Banh Mi N’ Grill. Hidden behind Collins Street, near Dandy Lane, it’s a cute kiosk sitting behind a cut steel frame, with jooshed up milk crates outside. If you take a peek behind the counter, there’s a tiny kitchen with a window pass.

It’s the first solo venture for owner Eric Le, he created Banh Mi N’ Grill because he felt traditional options weren’t available and wanted to share authentic food from all over Vietnam. And he’s nailed it. We order a BBQ pork banh mi ($9) and a pulled brisket banh mi ($9) – the first is the traditional option from Hanoi, the second is a western adaptation because we all love 8-hour slow cooked meat. Other options include Vietnamese sausage, which is a nod to the Da Nang area, sweet and spicy chicken, satay mushrooms, and vegan. A Vietnamese coffee ($6) and a house made slow-pressed juice ($6) completes the meal. Eric explains that they make everything in house, and points out the (sweet and delicious) chilli jam, well known in Hoi An. Even though I can handle a bit of chilli, it’s just enough for my mid-morning meal. The freshly baked roll is crunchy on the outside with a soft middle, with perfect pate, pickles, cucumber and coriander. The BBQ pork is exactly how you imagine grilled pork should be – charred, tender and sweet, and the brisket is succulent. I’m already planning my next visit to try the grilled skewers ($12) and the house made pandan soy milk drink ($6), but that’s only if I ever get past the BBQ pork banh mi.

Banh Mi N’ Grill 36 Collins Court, Hobart