With all the commotion about banh mi lately, you'd think these Vietnamese stuffed baguettes are the only wickedly good Asian-inspired sandwiches out there.
But the city now has a legion of spots where you can enjoy a mashup of Euro-American sandwich traditions and Asian flavors (including dessert). Here, four of our favorites:
Kampuchea The Cambodian subs here are similar to their Vietnamese counterparts, but you won't find Kampuchea's inventive toppings (pulled oxtail with tamarind-basil sauce, ginger-rubbed catfish or tiger shrimp with toasted coconut) anywhere else--except at its spin-off sandwich shop, Num Pang. Our favorite (available only at Kampuchea) is the juicy, house-cured bacon layered with pickled chiles, spicy mayo, cilantro and onions--all on a custom-made baguette from Parisi Bakery. 78 Rivington St. (at Allen St.); 212-529-3901 or kampucheanyc.com
Mantao Chinese Sandwiches This new Midtown shop has an ingenious idea: Stuff steamed mantao (puffy sesame bread) with kimchi and bulgogi-style beef, black-pepper chicken, or spicy pork with pickled daikon. A combo of two ($10, with shrimp chips) makes the perfect quick, hunger-busting lunch. 235 E. 53rd St., (between Second and Third aves.); 212-888-2490 or mantaony.com
Tabla Bread Bar Marry South Asian flavors with Italy's signature sandwich and you get the sublime lamb naanini (pictured). Chef Floyd Cardoz braises lamb shoulder in yogurt, layers it on rosemary naan with potatoes cooked in turmeric and mustard, and crisps the sandwich in the tandoor oven so it gets a panini-like sear. The final touch: fresh green chilies, cilantro and lime juice. 11 Madison Ave. (at 25th St.); 212-889-0667 or tableny.com
Thai Me Up Hiding on a less than charming stretch of 14th Street, this austere little shop serves delicious Thai spins on a banh mi. Thai Me Up stuffs a baguette with tender stir-fried chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu and vegetables; slathers it with chile mayo and house-made condiments (like coconut-ginger sauce or a blend of curry, fresh chiles and basil), then toasts it until the sandwich is hot and oozing with juices. It's messy, but worth every bite. 238 E. 14th St. (between Second and Third aves.); 212-533-8424 or thaimeupnyc.com
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