Chao Ban: Vietnamese street food comes to George Street, Brighton
Are you looking to level up your lunchtime game? Then you need to check out Chao Ban for some seriously delicious Vietnamese street food. After a decade of serving up Vietnamese street food delights at markets across Sussex, Chao Ban has found a permanent home in Brighton.
Located at 1 George Street, the tiny new venue is bringing the flavours of Vietnam to this side of the city, with a menu centred around the much-loved bánh mì alongside other Vietnamese street-food favourites.
Behind Chao Ban are a husband-and-wife team who both trained as chefs and previously ran a restaurant in London. After moving to Brighton with their two young children, they were looking for a way to combine family life with their love of food.
That decision marked the beginning of a 10-year journey, with Chao Ban building a loyal following at Horsham Market, where the couple continue to trade today. But, as their children have grown older, the time felt right to put down more permanent roots.
“We’ve been doing it for 10 years,” they laugh. “We thought maybe it’s time to set up four walls.”
The inspiration behind the Brighton site is bánh mì, the Vietnamese sandwich that has become increasingly popular in the UK. For Chao Ban, however, it is far from a passing food trend. They have been serving it for years, long before Vietnamese cuisine became such a familiar part of the UK food scene.
And it’s easy to see why the dish has developed such a following. Fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, hot and sour flavours and richly seasoned fillings come together in a sandwich that has plenty going on in every bite.
We tried a lemongrass chilli chicken version which was delicious (and enormous!). A short Vietnamese baguette delivered a crunchy outside with a super-fluffy interior, packed with sweet pickled vegetables, coriander and sriracha mayo, and tender marinated chicken breast.
Paired with an iced Vietnamese coffee sweetened with condensed milk, it was a winning lunch combo, especially when savoured on the beach. Kemptown is sure to embrace this independent new venue, and will we return? It’s a resounding yes from us.
Chao Ban is open Wed–Sun, 12:00–17:00.
@chaobanuk | 1 George Street, Brighton BN2 1RH
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