TLDR
Vibrant Vietnamese-American bakery specializing in pandan-infused treats and iconic chocolate chip cookies. A must-visit for unique, flavor-forward pastries in Two Bridges.
Instagram Posts References
Banh by Lauren offers a cute and quaint atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. They serve a pandan honeycomb cake, chocolate chip cookie, espresso, and matcha latte. The atmosphere is noted as being charming and pleasant.
Banh by Lauren in Chinatown is celebrated for its chocolate chip cookie with perfectly crispy edges. The cookie offers a delightful texture contrast, being chewy in the center with a crisp exterior.
Also at Eater's World Fare, the reviewer was excited to visit the Banh by Lauren booth. They purchased a chocolate chip cookie, pandan and French vanilla macarons, Vietnamese iced coffee, and a bánh bò nướng bread pudding. The macarons were particularly praised for their spectacular flavors, spot-on texture, and light, silky buttercream, while the bánh bò nướng bread pudding was hailed as 'lifeblood'.
This video captures a visit to Bánh by Lauren, a bakery recognized by The New York Times for its Bánh Bò Nướng, which made it onto the list of '25 Essential Pastries to Eat in New York City.' The proprietor, Lauren, was notably part of the expert panel that curated this list. The featured Bánh Bò Nướng is a baked honeycomb cake crafted from tapioca and rice flour, infused with the distinct flavors of pandan and coconut. It is highlighted for being naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. The creator expresses positive sentiments about its vivid green hue, unique squishy texture reminiscent of mochi, and its mild sweetness.
Details
Located in Two Bridges, this Vietnamese-American bakery is a destination for those seeking unique treats like pandan honeycomb cake and signature cookies [1], [2]. While celebrated for its airy cakes and perfectly textured baked goods, some visitors have noted that certain items can be pricey for the portion size [3], [4]. Overall, the bakery has earned a dedicated following for its creative fusion of traditional Vietnamese flavors and classic American confectionery [5], [6].
Food Overview
The menu highlights a creative fusion of Vietnamese and American influences, featuring standouts like pandan honeycomb cake and black sesame coffee [5], [8]. The chocolate chip cookies are widely considered a city favorite due to their flaky salt, dark chocolate chunks, and ideal crispy-chewy texture [1], [6]. While the pandan honeycomb cake is a popular choice, feedback on it is mixed, with some finding it delightful and others occasionally noting it can be dry [4], [7], [9].
Highlights / Recommended
Mentioned Dishes:
- •chocolate chip cookie(5)
- •pandan cake(4)
- •pandan honeycomb cake(3)
- •bánh bò nướng(2)
Customer Sentiment
Customer reception is overwhelmingly positive, with many diners praising the high quality and distinct flavors of the bakery's signature items [1], [5]. While some feel the pricing is high for the portion sizes provided, most reviewers consider the unique offerings worth the visit [4], [7].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About BANH BY LAUREN
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: What Trendypopular Coffee Shopdessert Spot Did
"Flavors are truly special despite expectations of being overhyped for aesthetics."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Sesame Latte Similar To Aroom In
"User noted they have tried the ca phe muoi here and will be trying their sesame latte next."
NeutralFrom post: Looking For Sesame Latte Similar To Aroom In
"Mentioned as a potential spot for Vietnamese-style coffee/latte."
NeutralFrom 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."
Positive