TLDR
Must-try Vietnamese bakery with a cult following for its 'Not Too Sweet' cookies & divine pandan cakes. Don't miss the salted coffee!
Details
Banh by Lauren is a Vietnamese-American bakery celebrated for its 'Not Too Sweet' philosophy, particularly its acclaimed chocolate chip cookies [1]. The bakery also stands out for its delightful pandan desserts, including a highly-praised pandan cake and pandan honeycomb cake, alongside Vietnamese coffee options like salted coffee and black sesame coffee.
Food Overview
Banh by Lauren is primarily known for its bakery items, with a strong emphasis on cookies and Vietnamese-inspired desserts. Their chocolate chip cookies are frequently highlighted as a must-try, often described as a 'sleeper hit' with a good chocolate flavor and hint of salt [1]. Pandan desserts, including pandan cake and pandan honeycomb cake, are also a major draw, though opinions on the latter are mixed, with some finding it dry and overpriced while others praise its taste [2], [3]. They also offer Vietnamese coffee, with salted coffee and black sesame coffee being specifically mentioned positively [4]. The bakery is noted for its 'Not Too Sweet' approach to desserts [1].
Highlights / Recommended
"The chocolate chip cookie is a standout item, often described as a 'sleeper hit' and a favorite by many. Pandan desserts, particularly the pandan cake and pandan honeycomb cake, are also highly recommended, though opinions on the latter are mixed."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •pandan cake(3)
- •pandan honeycomb cake(2)
Caveats
While Banh by Lauren is praised for its delicious baked goods and coffee, some customers have noted that it operates more as a bakery/coffee shop than a full restaurant. Additionally, a few reviews mention that certain items, such as the bánh bò nướng, can be perceived as expensive relative to their portion size [1], [2]. One reviewer also found the pandan honeycomb cake to be dry, overbaked, and overpriced [3].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About BANH BY LAUREN
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Where Can I Find A Cheddar Chive Scone In
"This user agrees with the recommendation for Bahn by Lauren, specifically mentioning that both the vegetarian and sausage versions of their scones are very good."
PositiveFrom post: Where Can I Find A Cheddar Chive Scone In
"A user strongly recommends Bahn by Lauren for their amazing scones."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"The user states that Banh by Lauren has their favorite chocolate chip cookie in the city."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Cookies Ranking 12 Spots From Lower Manhattan
"This user recommends Banh by Lauren for cookies."
PositiveFrom post: Local Ny Birthday Food Crawl East Village And
"Bánh by Lauren was recommended for its great coffee and Vietnamese pastries."
PositiveFrom post: Visited For My Sisters Wedding Had 25 Days To
"The black sesame coffee was excellent, and the pandan cake was so good that the reviewer would travel back for it."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Sesame Ball In Manhattanbrooklyn
"Bahn by Lauren offers Vietnamese-style sesame balls filled with mung bean, which the commenter notes is not their personal preference but acknowledges its quality if one enjoys that style."
NeutralFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This user describes B ahn by Lauren's chocolate chip cookie as having a very good chocolate flavor and texture with a hint of salt."
PositiveFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This user feels B ahn by Lauren's cookie used to be better."
NeutralFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This commenter agrees that B ahn by Lauren's cookie is a 'sleeper hit' and is very good."
PositiveFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This user lists B ahn by Lauren's cookie as one of their favorites in the city."
PositiveFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This user notes they want to try B ahn by Lauren, having heard good things."
NeutralFrom post: Don You Have A Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
"This user recommends B ahn by Lauren."
PositiveFrom post: Cookies Am I Crazy
"This user described Banh by Lauren's chocolate chip cookie as a not-too-sweet sleeper hit."
PositiveFrom post: Cookies Am I Crazy
"This user prefers the cookie from Banh by Lauren over Hani's."
PositiveFrom post: Two Little Red Hens Ill Never Stop Asking
"The user lists Bahn by Lauren as one of the bakeries that makes their favorite Asian bakery-style cakes."
PositiveFrom post: Best Vietnamese Coffee
"This user, while not an aficionado, really enjoyed the salted coffee at Bánh by Lauren in Chinatown."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurantsbars Taking Part Today On 13026
"Banh by Lauren is donating 15% of its sales today to @immdefense."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurantsbars Taking Part Today On 13026
"The commenter expresses support for restaurants participating in the day's events and states they will patronize these establishments when possible."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Pandan Creations In Nyc
"Praised the pandan chiffon layer cake from Banh by Lauren, describing it as beautiful and airy. Also recommended their pandan spread."
Positive