We recently connected with Alice Nguyen and have shared our conversation below.
Alice , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
The Mission Behind 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, our mission is to bring the authentic and vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine to our community, while promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of Vietnamese culture. Our journey began with a simple yet profound goal: to create a place where people could experience the richness of Vietnamese food in an atmosphere that feels like home.
The Beginnings
Our story starts with our founder, who grew up in Vietnam surrounded by the rich culinary traditions of the country. From a young age, they were immersed in the diverse and flavorful world of Vietnamese street food, family recipes, and the communal spirit of sharing meals. The vibrant markets, the sizzling sounds of street vendors, and the aromatic smells of fresh herbs and spices were a daily part of life.
A Vision of Connection
When the opportunity arose to open 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, it was not just about starting a business; it was about sharing a piece of home with the world. Our founder envisioned a space where every dish tells a story, every meal is a journey, and every customer feels like part of the family. They wanted to create more than just a restaurant – they wanted to build a bridge between cultures, bringing people together through the universal language of food.
Why It Matters
Food has the unique power to connect people, evoke memories, and foster understanding. At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, we believe that by sharing our culinary heritage, we can help break down barriers and build a more inclusive community. Our mission is meaningful because it is rooted in the values of hospitality, tradition, and cultural exchange.
We are committed to using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create dishes that are both authentic and innovative. From our classic banh mi sandwiches to our flavorful bowls, every item on our menu is crafted with care and passion. We also strive to provide exceptional service, ensuring that every visit is a memorable experience.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to our mission of celebrating and sharing Vietnamese cuisine with the world. We hope to inspire others to explore new flavors, learn about different cultures, and appreciate the beauty of diversity. At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, we are not just serving food; we are creating connections, fostering community, and sharing a piece of our heart with every meal.
Alice , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
About 88 Banh Mi and Bowl: A Journey of Flavor and Culture
Introduction
88 Banh Mi and Bowl is not just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Founded with a passion for authentic flavors and a mission to bring a taste of Vietnam to our community, we offer a culinary experience that is both unique and deeply rooted in tradition. For those who may not have heard of us before, we are excited to share our story, our offerings, and what makes us stand out in the crowded culinary landscape.
Our Story
My journey into the world of Vietnamese cuisine began in my childhood, growing up in Vietnam. The bustling streets filled with food vendors, the vibrant markets, and the rich aroma of traditional dishes were integral parts of my upbringing. These early experiences ignited a lifelong passion for food and a desire to share the beauty of Vietnamese cuisine with others.
After moving to Michigan, I saw an opportunity to introduce the authentic flavors of my homeland to a new audience. This led to the creation of 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, a place where every dish tells a story and every meal is an exploration of Vietnamese culture.
Our Offerings
At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, we specialize in traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist. Our menu features:
Banh Mi: Our signature sandwiches, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and served on crispy baguettes. We take immense pride in baking our bread daily in-house, a unique feature among Vietnamese restaurants in Michigan. Options range from classic pork and pate to vegetarian and vegan varieties.
Bowls: Flavorful and healthy bowls that combine rice, noodles, or greens with a variety of proteins, fresh vegetables, and our house-made sauces.
Halal and Vegetarian Options: We cater to diverse dietary needs with a range of Halal and vegetarian dishes.
Beverages: A selection of unique Vietnamese drinks, including traditional Vietnamese coffee and fresh sugarcane juice.
Special Sunday Dishes: Every Sunday, we introduce a different special dish, offering our customers something new and exciting to look forward to.
New Menu Items: We are continually innovating and plan to expand our menu with new offerings soon.
Solving Problems and Standing Out
One of the key challenges we address is the lack of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in our area. By providing high-quality, traditional dishes, we offer our customers a genuine taste of Vietnam that is often hard to find outside of specialized regions. Our commitment to authenticity and quality sets us apart from others in the industry.
Our in-house bread baking not only ensures the freshest banh mi but also showcases our dedication to culinary excellence. This attention to detail is rare among Vietnamese restaurants in Michigan, making our offerings truly special.
We also focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Our customer service is rooted in the Vietnamese tradition of hospitality, ensuring that every guest feels valued and appreciated.
What Makes Us Unique
What truly sets 88 Banh Mi and Bowl apart is our dedication to cultural authenticity and community engagement. We are not just serving food; we are sharing a piece of our heritage. Each dish is prepared with care, using recipes passed down through generations, and adapted to cater to modern tastes and dietary preferences.
We are most proud of our ability to bring people together through food. Whether it’s a family dinner, a casual lunch with friends, or a solo culinary adventure, we strive to create memorable dining experiences that connect people to the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnam.
Key Messages for Our Audience
Authenticity: At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, you will experience the true flavors of Vietnam, prepared with love and care.
Quality: We use fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure every dish is delicious and satisfying.
Community: We are more than a restaurant; we are a gathering place for friends, family, and food lovers.
Innovation: While rooted in tradition, we are not afraid to innovate and adapt, offering a modern take on classic dishes.
Passion: Our passion for Vietnamese cuisine and culture drives everything we do, from our menu to our customer service.
Freshness: Our daily in-house bread baking ensures the freshest and most authentic banh mi experience in Michigan.
Diversity: We cater to diverse dietary needs with our Halal and vegetarian options.
Excitement: Our special Sunday dishes and upcoming new menu items keep our offerings fresh and exciting.
Conclusion
At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, our mission is to share the vibrant and diverse flavors of Vietnamese cuisine with our community. We invite you to join us on this culinary journey, explore our menu, and become part of our story. Whether you are a longtime fan of Vietnamese food or trying it for the first time, we promise an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you coming back for more.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A Story of Resilience: Overcoming Challenges at 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
When we first started 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, we faced numerous challenges that tested our resilience and determination. Coming from a background with no prior experience in the restaurant industry, we quickly found ourselves in uncharted territory.
The Early Struggles
Without experience in running a restaurant, we faced a steep learning curve. Managing labor was a significant challenge. We struggled to find and retain good staff who shared our passion for Vietnamese cuisine and could deliver the level of service we aspired to provide.
On top of this, finding reliable suppliers for the high-quality, authentic ingredients we needed was another major hurdle. Many suppliers couldn’t meet our standards, and those who could were often beyond our budget. This jeopardized our ability to maintain the authenticity of our dishes.
Building a Customer Base
Another daunting task was making our presence known to potential customers. In a market crowded with established eateries, getting noticed was tough. Despite our best efforts, we saw few customers walking through our doors. It was disheartening, and there were moments when we doubted whether we could keep going.
The Turning Point
Our turning point came from a combination of perseverance, community engagement, and learning from every setback. We decided to get creative and proactive:
Learning and Adapting: We took every opportunity to learn about the restaurant business. We attended workshops, sought advice from industry veterans, and continually refined our operations. Each failure was a lesson, each setback a step towards improvement.
Building Relationships: To tackle our supply chain issues, we reached out to local farmers and food markets. By fostering relationships and negotiating directly, we secured quality ingredients at fair prices. This not only ensured the authenticity of our dishes but also supported local businesses.
Engaging the Community: To address our low visibility, we immersed ourselves in the community. We participated in local events, offered free samples, and engaged with potential customers on social media. We shared our story, our passion for Vietnamese cuisine, and the unique offerings we brought to the table.
Customer-Centric Approach: We focused on every customer who did visit, ensuring they had an unforgettable experience. Word of mouth slowly began to spread, and loyal customers became our best advocates.
Overcoming Adversity
The journey was anything but easy. There were long nights, financial strains, and moments of doubt. However, our passion for bringing authentic Vietnamese flavors to our community kept us going. We realized that resilience is not just about enduring hardships but also about finding opportunities within those challenges.
Emerging Stronger
Today, 88 Banh Mi and Bowl stands as a testament to our resilience. We are proud to offer a menu that includes freshly baked in-house bread, Halal and vegetarian options, and unique beverages like Vietnamese coffee and fresh sugarcane juice. Our special Sunday dishes keep our offerings exciting, and we continue to innovate and expand our menu.
Our story is a reminder that with determination, community support, and a willingness to learn and adapt, any challenge can be overcome. We are grateful for the journey and the lessons learned, and we are more committed than ever to providing an exceptional dining experience for our customers.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
The Story of Manufacturing at 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
Fresh, Handcrafted Banh Mi
At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, we take immense pride in the fact that we make our banh mi fresh daily. This journey, however, has been anything but easy. The process of perfecting our banh mi bread has been one of the most challenging aspects of our business.
The Challenge of Perfecting Banh Mi
When we first started, we had no experience in making banh mi bread. The delicate balance required to achieve the perfect loaf – crispy on the outside and light on the inside – was incredibly difficult to master. We faced numerous failures along the way. The temperature had to be just right, the flour and other ingredients had to be of the highest quality, and the baking process required precise timing and technique.
Learning and Adapting
Each failure was a learning experience. We experimented with different recipes, adjusted our techniques, and sought advice from baking experts. There were times when the bread was too hard or too dense, but we persisted, driven by our commitment to providing the best possible product for our customers.
Through perseverance and continuous improvement, we eventually perfected our banh mi bread. Today, we are proud to say that our banh mi is a standout feature of our menu, offering the perfect texture and flavor that our customers love.
Handcrafted Quality
Our commitment to quality doesn’t stop at our bread. We also handcraft all the vegetables and proteins that we sell. Every ingredient is prepared with care and precision to ensure the best possible experience for our customers. From marinating the proteins to preparing the vegetables, every step of the process is done by hand to maintain the highest standards.
High Standards, Exceptional Experience
Our standards are exceptionally high because we believe that our customers deserve nothing but the best. We strive to provide an exceptional dining experience with every meal, ensuring that each banh mi sandwich is not only delicious but also made with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Lessons Learned
Through this journey, we have learned several valuable lessons about manufacturing our products:
Perseverance Pays Off: The path to perfection is often fraught with challenges, but perseverance and a commitment to quality can lead to outstanding results.
Continuous Improvement: Constantly seeking ways to improve and refine our processes is crucial. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Attention to Detail: The small details matter. Whether it’s the precise temperature for baking bread or the specific seasoning for proteins, attention to detail is key to maintaining high standards.
Customer-Centric Approach: Keeping the customer’s experience at the forefront of everything we do ensures that we stay focused on delivering the best possible product.
Conclusion
At 88 Banh Mi and Bowl, our journey to perfecting our banh mi bread and handcrafting our ingredients has been one of resilience and dedication. We are proud of the high standards we uphold and the exceptional dining experience we provide. Our story is a testament to the power of perseverance, continuous improvement, and a relentless focus on quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://88banhmiandbowl.com
- Instagram: 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
- Facebook: 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
- Yelp: 88 Banh Mi and Bowl
