Heartbaker Bunmee

Until the Metro tunnel works re-open Scott Alley you may have to search for this little business, lurking as it does behind a creperie, but the hunt is worth it.

Highlight for me is the baguette in which the Bahn Mi are served. It is light, slightly sweet with a crust that magically combines almost ethereal crispness with chew. Fillings vary, but all offers good traditional flavour with freshness. Both pork options are good, but sliced pork is often filled a little more generously than the crispy variety.

Everything is freshly prepared and the textures and taste reflect this.

I’d say this is the best banh mi I’ve had in the cbd. I had the grilled pork and it was delicious. The baguettes have an extra layer of crunch over the top (almost like a brioche), and the texture and crunchiness is perfect. The filling was a good ratio and the carrot didn’t make it soggy. While there, Stephanie was preparing a dish for a regular customer, and I enquired as to what it was. A few minutes later, she came past and gave me a little sample of the sticky rice dish she had prepared - now that’s service with a smile! Will definitely go back for another banh mi!

I have gone past this alley so many times and never knew that there is a small Vietnamese restaurant tucked into the corner and serving some amazing Bahn Mi. This place is located in Scott Alley on Flinders Lane. It is a small place with a few seats inside the restaurant and a few outside. You can see everything being prepared fresh right in front of you. I ordered a Grilled Chicken on Rice Vermicelli and a Crispy Pork Baguette. The service was very quick.

Best banhmi in the CBD (imho).
I've revisited numerious times, and I the experience and quality is still consistent.
The tiger rolls have this buttery crispy surface and it provides an extra textural layer to the soft baguette underneath.

The egg mayo is creamy and the combined with the pate, it's absolutely delicious.

I had the grilled pork banh mi ($7) and with a rice paper roll, the meal deal was $10. I think an extra $3 is a bit much for 1 roll, maybe 2 would be better.

My rating: 4.5

Discovering great eats in alley ways in Melbourne is always fun! Hearbaker Bun Mee is a cute little shop hidden at the end of Scott Alley and is well worth the visit!

🔆LOCATION🔆
Scott Alley is a small laneway located off Flinders Lane, near Swanston Street corner.
I used to walk through Scott Alley via arcade as quick short cut to Flinders Station, but now that block has been demolished and is now a construction site, it is now a dead end alley but will some good hidden eats! :)

🔆SERVICE🔆
The ladies working at Heartbaker Bun Mee are very friendly and helpful.  Once you place order, you get a ticketed number. As the shop is very small, people have to stand outside to wait. 

There are 2 tables inside for max 4 seating capacity as well as small bar table area which can set max 3 people. Outside there are 2 tables that can set up to 4 people.

🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
They have a variety of Vietnamese baguette, rice paper rolles, rice noodles and salad bowls on their menu. However today, I had craving for crispy roast pork so I ordered:

Crazy Delish Crispy Pork - egg butter, carrots daikon pickles, cucumber, spring onion, coriander, hoisin sauce, fresh chilli, $9.00

🔆VERDICT🔆
They have an oven on their back counter which they  use to heat up the baguette bread roll so that it is crispy and also warm to eat ! Love their bread its delicious! The Crazy Dlish Crispy Pork Roll is just as the name describe! It is delicious! The flavours are there and the pork is juicy and has the crispy skin. Cannot fault!  Although $9.00 is very pricy for a Banh Mi, it's more modern fusion take on the traditional Vietnamese Bahn Mi. I don't always like to pay so much, but for this at Heartbaker, I am happy to pay for it given its great taste and very decent portion size.

I think the only comment I would like to make is that picture menu's with the special deals on the front window of the shop is very hard to view especially when the tables at the front has customers seated.

No doubt I will be back again for more baguette fix! =)