Hong Ha Hot Bread

The battle of the best Sydney pork roll rages on. Having heard so much about this place I finally decided to give it a try. My top pork roll spot in Sydney is Marrickville Pork Roll so this review will mostly be a comparison of that establishment. I came to Hong Ha on a Sunday afternoon and like I heard indeed it had a queue, but the wait overall from line to receiving your order could’ve been no more than five minutes. Now down the the taste this place has amazing bread and sadly that’s all that really stood out. Compared to Marrickville it was more expensive and more bland. The blend of flavors within the sandwich was much more bland and less portions I could hardly even taste cilantro in it, and the BBQ pork just tasted like pork with no BBQ flavor. It’s still a good pork roll, but unless I was local or in the area I wouldn’t go out of my way. Sadly the hype wasn’t real.

3.5 stars sorry Hong Ha.
We were told its «way better» than Marrickville pork roll (am I allowed to name drop in Unilocal reviews?) so excitedly made the 16 minute drive, thrilled we had a more «local» spot to get delicious pork roll.
The line was long and excitement built up. Our excitement slightly dwindled when we realised how slow the line was moving — but finally we were there. Bbq pork roll was ordered and we practically ran to the park to demolish it.
The first bite was average but that’s to be expected — you’re just at the beginning and it’s mainly a bread bite (which I must note, the bread is delicious). But as we continued through, we realised it was ok only. If I lived close by we’d probably drop by again. The meat was a little dry. It didn’t have the complexity of flavours. Ingredients weren’t mixed together well enough meaning you’d have one mouthful of carrot then one meaty mouthful.
Guys, trust me on this– Marrickville pork role is the winner in the banh mi competition

The difference between this shop and others is that the bread is fresh at all times due to their high turn over including all their ingredients, I prefer the chicken over the pork as the chicken is shredded and wok fried whereas the pork is sliced which comes from a packet. The schnitzel is over kill, very oily, however great for those fat days! You would prefer this over any fast food if it came down to it.

Hong Ha, there are many haters out there, but there are more lovers. The lines don’t lie I have frequented this Mascot institution many times over the years. Are the rolls as good as everyone says?
There are legendary tales of Bahn mi being sent down to Melbourne airport ground handlers by Sydney airport staff.
For mine this place has the best chicken rolls in Sydney. I do rate pork roll at other places higher. But this is a Hong Ha review.
Although they have new sign, the set up has not changed since it opened. The counter is run by pro’s when it comes to assembling bahn mi. Many stallwalts that have been there almost as long as Hong Ha. Your order will always be follewed in response, you want chilli.
It is almost frivolous trying to put forward a custom order, but why would you want to.
Due to the high turn over of product, it is likely you will get a roll just out of the oven with a crunchy outer shell and a warm cloud like softness on the inside, such a difference in texture. This combined with fresh salad, hot seasoned chicken, home made mayo, special sauces and if you choose, a chilli kick. The spring rolls are so bad, they are good. An crisp flakey pastry filled with chicken and cabbage. The only down fall is the amount of oil that comes with each serve.
Gotta try this place at least once.

Great rolls, good price for a meal though it is on the higher end compared to other Vietnamese rolls. I have only ordered the chicken rolls here and I have stuck with it through the years cos it is the best: crispy bread, warm meat with none of that grisly yummy tendon bits. And they are so busy so it means no extra smiles (don’t care, I just want my roll), and fast conveyer belt service.

My favourite is the chicken roll. The bread is crispy and fresh and the inside is soft. I like extra mayo. Food is made quickly and has a strong following from all over sydney.

I almost wish I was back in the job I hated to be working in the vicinity of this place again! (Well, no I don’t, come to think of it, the job was lousy!) the shop though, well it’s top shelf, shit hot bloody good!
I, personally, found the pork rolls rather disgusting, but that’s because I hate dubious balls of suspicious looking meats. Everyone else I worked with loved them, so I am keeping the five star rating, because my squeamishness should not interfere with the overall rating.
Pork rolls aside, the chicken rolls are the absolute Bomb Bizzle! (God, I am drooling just thinking about them!) Crisp, crunchy freshly baked rolls, stuffed to the gunnels with salad and warm chicken. I always asked for extra coriander, extra chilli and extra cucumber. Why? Because I must be a greedy guts!
It’s worth the line up, and you will observe people leaving with bags of 10 or 20 rolls, because, trust me, if anyone from the office is doing a roll run, the entire office wants in on it.

Possibly the best place to purchase a traditional Vietnamese bread roll. Have consumed dozens of these over the years. Same for all my kids and their friends. Still only $ 5.00. Still always a queue out the front from the moment they open the doors. Need one now :)

Pretty solid and a good value, would rather pay a but more for a little more meat and less veg, but I am American. Looks like the best option on the ave.

Delicious banh mi! This is the first banh mi I’ve tried in Australia and I must say j haven’t been let down… Having dated a Vietnamese for 3 years, I’ve had my fair share of Vietnamese cuisine and I think this place is a winner!

Another institution that has the reputation from word of mouth. The line can be seen at any time of day, proving that the food served here is a ‘must have’ for locals and visitors alike.
When I worked nearby at Qantas, it was possible to ring through a big order and have it delivered. This saves having to queue. If you must queue, the line usually moves quite quickly with 3 — 4 woman making the famous chicken or pork Banh Mi rolls.
The bread rolls are the best, especially if you arrive early morning when the buns are fresh out of the oven. They are very crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The ladies fill each roll so full of ingredients — chicken breast, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, marinated carrots, mayonnaise, coriander and then add a secret sauce that I am convinced makes the Hong Ha Chicken Rolls taste better than their competition.
Make sure you get the special mayonnaise and I always ask for extra coriander and shallots. The chilli served here is quite hot, so you might want to ask them to put on only a little bit or none at all. The number of times I have ended up with chilli lips.. .screaming for water to get comfort!
There are plenty of other items also available on the menu — Spring rolls, Ham Rolls, Pork Rolls, Tuna Rolls and the Meatball Roll and delicious rice paper roll boxes
The cost of a Chicken or Pork Banh Mi rolls is $ 5.00. Not bad at all price wise.
My advice is get in early or just wait in line — believe me you won’t regret it once you have a bite. There is also a lull around 4.00 –4.30 just before the bakery closes.
WARNING: The rolls might be the tastiest and freshest, but they also are the messiest rolls to eat, as the crisp bread on the outside flakes off easily, making a big mess. Definitely, eat in the bag or over a plate!

Never lined up at here. There’s always a co worker going down for us. Working at Botany this is the most amazing chicken roll in here. I would def have this over and over again.

So of course I read all the reviews on Unilocal before I came to Hong Ha Hot Bread. I recently moved to Mascot and everyone has told me about this place with amazing pork rolls so I finally got around to trying Hong Ha and I must say — it was worth all the hype.
Just like what Jake said (reviewer down below), it felt like that episode in Seinfield with the Soup Nazi so I made sure my partner and I knew exactly what we wanted and were on the ball.
«Two pork rolls, no chilli, no onion». The ladies behind the counter yell out «Next Please» and if you don’t come up, you miss your chance. Nah I am kidding, they are actually not bad but you don’t come to Hong Ha for their amazing customer service.
Anyway back to the food. For $ 5 you can get a pork (or chicken roll) and for $ 1, you can get a drink. $ 1 for a drink — that is pretty cheap, especially in Sydney!
The best thing i like about Hong Ha pork rolls is the bread. It is always so fresh, flaky and crunchy but not too crunchy that it hurts the upper side of your mouth (you know what i mean?).
Good heap of butter and pâté and not too much filling so that you get a locked jaw from trying to bite into that sucker.
My partner and I come here all the time now and is our «go to» place when we couldn’t be bothered to cook lunch or if we are in a rush on the weekends.
Don’t be deterred by the line as it moves quickly.
I have also tried the chicken roll which I actually really like but it is a bit on the dry side but if you are want meat that isn’t so processed, this is a good alternative.

Best in Sydney. Have been for years.
The lines waiting patiently Daily are a testament to this Institution of Sydney Gastronomy.

This place is a local gem. Not only are the Vietnamese rolls fantastic, but what causes the long lines is the price. This is one place you won’t be disappointed.

What’s worse than giving a restaurant a bad review? Giving a restaurant an a-​ok review when it’s currently rated ⁵⁄₅.
I’m nervous to go against the crowd but I just have to. We ordered the bbq pork roll and chicken roll. As Howard C. mentioned, the pork was definitely better than the chicken roll so I would recommend sticking with pork. That being said it just failed to meet the claims that this is the best vietnamese roll place in Sydney. I had my reservations coming in because I thought how could a vietnamese roll be as good as the ones in Cabra unless it someone was imported from Vietnam and managed to get past customs. Although even if that happened I’d still put my money on the ones in Cabra being better.
Many people argue that it’s the bread that makes sets banh mi apart and I would have to agree. While good I just don’t think the hong ha bread has anything special on other banh mi’s in Sydney. Out of pity, one day on my next trip to the airport I may just have to try one of the other 2 vietnamese places along the same road with no customers and compare them to Hong Ha to see if there is any significant difference to warrant the long lines outside this joint.

I heard about this place years ago and never understood the fuss until I finally made it there. I was working in the area for a short time so would frequent this place often. Chicken roll with chili is definitely the way to go. When I first started going there the rolls were $ 4 but now have risen to $ 5 but who is complaining, $ 5 doesn’t get you much these days!
The line usually goes pretty quickly but if there are people lined up to the luggage shop I head down further to the other lesser know Vietnamese shop that undercuts hong ha’s with a roll and can of drink for $ 5…but that is if you are really hungry and don’t have time to wait. And boy is it worth the wait if you can!

Cheap delicious Vietnamese sandwiches that will satisfy your taste-​buds. If you’re hesitant to try this place, the long line is a sure hint that this place is a must-​try.

7.25am.
I’m doing hot laps of Mascot killing time while a flight I’m waiting to pick someone up from is delayed. My pug is in the passenger seat. Her chair is way back. Her hat is on backwards. She illin’.
I cruise — real slow, like — past Hong Ha Hot Bread, as fun a name to say phonetically as ever there was. It’s open. What time is too early for a pork banh mi? Trick question hot shot, it’s banh mi time all the time player.
I hand over $ 5. I get a fat-​stacked fresh-​baked hand torpedo but oh no, she forgot the chilli and I have to hand that sucker back while she slathers on an extra-​large apology dose of the good stuff. Then I’m eating it on the pavement while my pug, who is tied to a pole, watches in outrage. Haters gonna hate.

I heard people raving about this place so I rode down here with some friends on a Saturday morning… and there was already a queue when we arrived around noon. That means it must be good…
Fortunately the queue moved quickly (5 min,) and my overeager ass bought a pork roll and a chicken roll plus a drink for $ 11. Dope.
The bread is pretty good, and I liked the pork roll more than the chicken roll. I still think Vinata in Cabramatta is better, but this has been the best pork roll I’ve had around Sydney CBD.
I’ll need to try Marrickville’s next.