Vietnamese Food in Singapore: Pho or Banh Mi for Your Lunch Budget?
A small pho, a regular bowl and a banh mi do not cost the same, and the sandwich is not automatically the cheapest lunch. Here is a concrete comparison using NamNam Raffles City’s menu, plus where to look if the group wants more than soup.
Photo: Nowforever · CC BY-SA 4.0
NamNam: compare the size before ordering
At Raffles City #B1-47, Pho Beef Slices & Beef Balls and Pho Kampong Chicken both list S$10.90 small or S$15.90 regular. The S$5 upgrade buys a different size, not another dish.
The Lemongrass Chicken, Fried Egg and Chicken Floss banh mi is S$13.90. With NamNam’s stated no-service-charge policy and 9% GST, the planning totals are about S$11.88 for small pho, S$17.33 for regular pho and S$15.15 for that sandwich.
So choose the small bowl for a smaller meal, not because a sandwich sounds like the budget option. Check this outlet’s menu; prices are not a promise for every branch.
For two: do you actually want the rolls?
Two regular bowls cost S$31.80 before tax. Adding S$10.50 Fresh Southern Rolls brings the item subtotal to S$42.30, or about S$46.11 with GST. The rolls come with peanut sauce.
That is a useful sharing order if both of you want an extra. If not, there is no need to turn every lunch into a starter-and-main occasion. NamNam also lists crispy vegetarian rolls at the same menu price, giving you a fresh-versus-fried choice.
Not everyone wants pho? Try a broader menu
So Pho’s menu includes banh mi, rolls, Vietnamese pancakes and other mains as well as noodle soup. It is a useful starting point when one diner wants soup and another wants something to share.
Pick the actual branch before comparing prices or sets. At NamNam, the tofu banh mi includes fried egg, so “tofu” does not make it vegan. For a specific dietary requirement, ask about broth, spreads and sauces together.
Meeting around City Hall? Keep the plan nearby with our Raffles City food guide.
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