Disclaimer: I was a guest of the property for some items in this review.
While sandwiches were once one of my favorite street foods in Paris, I rarely get them these days. The five-euro ones at bakeries are great in a pinch, but seeing as I always have great cheese at home that desperately needs eating, most weekend days begin with me heading to the local bakery for an organic tradition to make my own lunch to go: Far less onerous and far more delicious. (Plus, it’s an effortless way to ward off hanger.)
But I make an exception when it comes to the banh mis from Nonette, a long-standing favorite from the team from the Hood, which I also love. I first tried their gà lá chanh banh mi back in 2022, a sandwich of roast chicken seasoned with kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and sriracha mayo, and was blown away by the flavors – not to mention the team’s passion –, which meant it was a no-brainer to pay them a visit when I fixed a shoot for Milk Street on Southeast Asian street food. And you know that when I got the chance to sample their new spring menu, I pounced.
Two new fillings have joined the menu for spring, one of which is the pulled jackfruit up top (10). This vegan offering comes with house-made tofu mayo, fresh herbs, and house pickles. I liked the flavors, especially the brightness of the mint, but I’ve got to admit it was totally blown out of the water by the second option…
…a roast chicken banh mi (10) complete with its own little pot of rich chicken stock for dipping. (I stuck the leftovers in the fridge, and all the collagen in that bad boy made it set up thicker than Jello. Exquisite.)
Even on its own, the sandwich had loads of flavor, with that still-same kaffir lime-infused roast chicken, this time paired with a lemony mayo that added loads of zip. The generosity with the house pickles did not go unnoticed. It’s worth noting that if you’re into charcuterie, everything here is made in-house, including mortadella, porchetta, and liver pâté. You’ll find them all in the Cheffe’s special sandwich (10).
Nonette isn’t just known for its banh mi. It also specializes in donuts, of which I had already sampled two: the “perle coco” filled and coated with coconut, and the durian, both of which had just been released in fall of 2022.
I loved both, but as someone who had never tried durian, I’ve got to admit I found it particularly enticing, with its rich, creamy flavor and slightly savory, almost cheesy kick.
Cut to spring, when two new flavors have joined the offerings. The jam-filled rhubarb-ginger (4) wasn’t my cup of tea, but that has far more to do with me than it does the donut, seeing rhubarb is one of a handful of things I cannot abide. (I have it on good authority that for rhubarb stans, it is excellent.) I did, nevertheless, fall for the spring blossom (4), which married apple and jasmine tea in a rich, creamy filling.
Whether you’re going for these new additions or old stalwarts, Nonette is a great spot to know about in the 11th. The prices are super reasonable for the quality, with some banh mis beginning at just 8 euro. And if ever you encounter inclement weather, the fact that the Hood is just across the street is the perfect way to seal the deal.
Nonette – 71, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011