Nhu Lan Uptown

Their lemongrass tofu and ginger tofu banh mi are way better than their competition’s vegan options, larger, and cheaper. You won’t recognize the tofu as tofu, either, it’s pretty good as fake meat goes.
Sadly there was a fire! Hopefully they’ll be back, but they’ve been closed since mid/​late December. There is another Nhu Lan a couple miles west on Lawrence if you need your fix, but afaik they don’t deliver. :(

We stumbled upon this place before a concert at the Aragon Ballroom. They don’t seem to have a wide selection, but they have amazing bahn mi sandwiches and phở here. The phở is nice and hot, especially good when it’s cold out. I’d definitely eat here again.
It didn’t seem like they have a public restroom, but they have a huge strip mall parking lot. They have food to go already ready. It’s wheelchair accessible.

I noticed this place opened in a little strip mall on Lawrence & Sheridan not that long ago and I’ve wanted to try ever since. The opportunity never knocked for myself and Nhu Lan to meet as I have either already eaten or had plans to eat while passing.
Yesterday I went to pick up my dry cleaning in that same strip mall and was not thrilled by anything in my freezer or fridge. I saw Nhu Lan as its really the only place within the strip mall that has a lit up sign and thought perfect timing. I walked in and noticed the place was well lit with cooked meat behind glass and a refrigerate area with cold sandwiches, shakes and soft drinks. The different options are on the wall and the grilled pork banh mi sandwich caught my eye. I got it to go and it probably took 5 mins to make it from the kitchen to me. I got home and was surprised how big it was… I had to cut it in half. Very good sandwich for $ 4 and some change. This place is within walking distance from me so I have no excuse to go here for more deliciousness.

Fantastic! I can’t believe I’ve been passing by this spot. I see that I’m missing out on the biggest banh mi sandwich that I’ve had in the city. I had to have an appetizer as I was starving and this was a late lunch for me, so the pork egg roll really hit the spot. The star is truly the sandwich and of course I had to get the special because I want everything. Ingredients were fresh, and I was so tempted to take other packaged items home. The prices are very reasonable, and a great value for your money. Staff is polite and quick. I will certainly come back here.

Great warm, flakey bread; chicken had tons of flavor and was juicy, too. Great value; Will be back

Whenever we go out for a picnic or just fast food, we always call nhu lan for their bahn mis. Recently, however, we have even tried Nhu Lan’s shrimp crepes, spring rolls, and phở. They were all very good. As for bahn mi’s, the usuals are the pork belly and the nhu lan special. I like the stickers that are put onto our sandwiches with actual labels rather than the normal marker marks on the paper. The small things I get happiness from is funny to most.
The French baguette of Nhu Lan’s bahn mis are texturally perfect, nice and soft inside, and a little crunch on the outside. I also think their bread is bigger than most bahn mis but that could just be my imagination. They have a deal like most Vietnmese restaurants where if you buy 5, you get one free. This gets me every time, so what I usually ask them to do is put the condiments on the side for the ones I’ll eat later on in the day or the week. I usually head up my sandwich in the oven the next day for about 5 – 7 minutes for yummy deviousness.
Who says you have to go to Argyle for great Vietnamese food. Go to Nhu Lan where there’s also a parking lot! Major plus!

Hidden Gem Alert: You would have no idea this place was here unless you lived in the neighborhood and happened to stumble upon it or had it recommended like I did. Definitely worth the stop. I’ve been twice now in the past week and this place is legit. The Bun Bao, the roasted pork and even the fruit smoothies. Don’t let the strip mall that surrounds this place discourage you. Make a pit stop.

This place is the real deal. I get the lemongrass tofu sandwich and it honestly tastes better than some bahn mi I ate in Ho Chi Minh city. The tofu is super flavorful and has the texture of meat (I am not even vegetarian.) the place is tiny but I usually eat at their small tables. Also the women who work there are really nice, and you know it’s good when the majority of the customers who walk in the door are vietnamese :)

Great banh mi sandwiches and Phở. Takeout preferred as there’s only a couple of small tables. Friendly staff.

The best Vietnamese sandwich (banh mi) in Chicago.

Love the place, it’s new to this part of Uptown but in my opinion quickly becoming a favorite! Their sandwiches are tasty, spring rolls are awesome and I’m looking forwarding to trying the PHO!

i think i may have tried a bun bao at every bakery in this 1 mile radius. i am a bun bao addict and this place is one of my favorites. they have both a traditional bun bao with ground pork and a xa xiu pork version. the bun baos are a bit more expensive than the other bakeries but still suffices as a very cheap mini meal/​snack. the dough to filling ratio is good and the dough is fluffy and soft with a bit of sweetness. meat is well flavored. they will also heat it up for you if ask.
they also have fresh banh chung and banh tet and other tet (Vietnamese new years) goodies right now

The lemongrass chicken banh mi was surprisingly good. I get bored of chicken sometimes, but it was very nicely marinated and fresh tasting.
The Chinese bbq pork banh mi was also good but I suppose right on par with Ba Le and Tank. That goes for the bread as well — a good balance of crispiness and fluffy chewiness!
We also ordered a mango-​pineapple blend to wash down the sandwiches, which I really enjoyed. I admit there might’ve been a little bias since we went to Joy Yee ToGo the night before and ordered the same thing — only to get a very mediocre version there. In comparison this was way, way more satisfying. Will return!
EDIT: Tried to return. They close at 6pm during the week, and 7pm on the weekends! So early… so much for stopping by for a quick banh mi dinner after work :(

To me, Nhu Lan and Ba Le are the top two banh mi bakeries in Chicago. I like both of them for different reasons, but this new location really impressed me! The lemongrass chicken was marinated in a unique sauce and super flavorful. The Chinese roasted pork was also good, but the sweet bbq flavor is more commonplace. The French bread they came in tasted fresh out of the oven.
From the look of it, you’ll wonder how you can bite into something so monstrous, but your mouth will press down on warm, soft fluffy bread with just the right amount of chewy crust. Pickled vegetables, carrots, and cucumbers made me feel like less of a carnivore.
My only disappointment was that the mango pineapple smoothie tasted artificial, but my boyfriend was a fan so to each their own. There are only 3 tiny tables that seat 2 and no restrooms; take-​out may be more comfortable, but we happily devoured the sandwiches in record time.

I love this place and am super glad its opened up another one! I love this place and would pick it over Ba Le anytime!
Easy to find in the new market center
Spring rolls are on steroids
The lemongrass chicken banh mi is a great choice if you don’t eat beef or pork like me!
They have about 19 different types of banh mis, and over 10 different types of vietnamese dessert drinks. I had the 3 color drink and it was tasty, you can also request to add ice with your drink.
Their food is reasonably priced and filling! Also they have super dope specials, buy 5 banh mis, get one free, buy 5 egg rolls get one free!

Cheap, delicious, friendly. I literally go here several times a week. Try the lemongrass tofu, you won’t believe it’s not meat. Also, extra pâté on a Banh Mi is never a bad decision.

#1 Nhu Lan Banh Mi is the bomb

I am beyond thrilled that my favorite Ban Mi just moved in closer to home. Will be here all the time.

So thrilled they have opened a location in Uptown! The best bahn mi in the city, in my opinion, with four vegetarian options and delicious bubble tea. Friendly service and a truly great addition to the neighborhood. Oh, and FREE PARKING!

Glad to be the 1^st review on this location… Yay!
Omg, their sandwiches are AWESOME!!! We got #1 — Nhu lan Special and #3 — Lemongrass Chicken last time… They were both unbelievable… Definitely will be back soon :)