Phin mi, the excellent new coffee shop with banh mi and Vietnamese coffee

Freshly opened in place of a former grocery store, just off the Jussieu metro station, the Phin mi Vietnamese café is sure to appeal to students and locals alike, looking for a good coffee shop to relax in.

On arrival, you'll discover a very natural, cosy spot with a counter, exposed beams, Vietnam's green mountains on the wall and around 15 seats.

Did you know that Vietnam is the world's second largest coffee producer? Few people know this, yet the country is steeped in coffee, and is increasingly specializing in good coffee from different terroirs. At the helm, she's Vietnamese and he's French, and they've decided to go straight to work on a concept combining authenticity and modernity, scouring Vietnam in search of the best beans.

The menu features coffees with different preparation methods. At Phin mi, only Vietnamese coffee has a place, and it's sourced and roasted in-house. In fact, you can buy their coffee beans to enjoy at home.

The menu starts with the classic machine-brewed coffees usually found in coffee shops. Then there are hot drinks such as matcha latte, chai , tea and hot chocolate. The second part of the menu features the famous Vietnamese-style coffees: ca phe sua da with condensed milk, ca phe coco, ca phé salé and funky da, a surprising coffee that's impossible to find elsewhere.

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The last section offers signature coffees in original flavors that are very popular in Vietnam. Try the cold brew, coffee mocktails with lime, pineapple or raspberry, or the lavender or lychee latte.

On the food side, there are the famous banh mi sandwiches. For their bread, the couple teamed up with an artisan baker to come up with a loaf similar to what exists in Vietnam, but with a higher quality. Perfectly shaped and plump, the bread is airy and easy to swallow.

For the garnish, the couple have chosen to work with meats simmered with Vietnamese spices. In addition to traditional pickles, the menu features curried chicken, Vietnamese bourguignon, simmered pork and fried tofu for vegetarians. When tasted, the sauces permeate the bread and melt in the mouth with a well-balanced, rich flavor. If you're not into sandwiches, these banh mi are also available in bowls, which are just as delicious.

Finally, we end with coffee shop classics such as cookie matcha and banana bread. In short, if you're looking to learn about or rediscover good Vietnamese coffee, set off for new horizons or eat excellent banh mi, rue des Boulangers in the 5th arrondissement is the place to go.