Designed by south London artist duo house of baby, Little Bánh Bánh now pairs a cool modernist palette of textured glass blocks, tiles and concrete with warm, natural touches of wood and lime plaster fresco.
The fresco and panels adorning the space are hand-painted by Tomio Shota, co-founder of house of baby, depicting soft, dreamlike compositions that nod to Vietnamese folk art, architecture and modernist paintings.
Over rice dishes (cơm văn phòng) include fresh vegetables and crispy pork belly; prawn patties in tomato sauce; and Vietnamese beef stew. Bánh mì, pho and bún noodle salads are also available.
Drinks include iced Vietnamese coffees made with condensed milk and salted cream, or house-made lime and pineapple coconut soft drinks.
“Cơm văn phòng literally translates to ‘office rice’—a term rooted in the bustle of Vietnam’s streets, where workers, students and passers-by grab a quick, hearty plate from their trusted street vendors,” says Joseph Losper, the head of creative for Bánh Bánh and co-founder of house of baby.
“Fast, comforting, and satisfying, it’s a lunch that speaks the quiet language of millions: we’re all in this together. Little Bánh Bánh provides that peaceful space where guests can sit shoulder to shoulder.”
Little Bánh Bánh sits within the Bánh Bánh family of restaurants, which recently opened Lai Rai, a new-school spot inspired by the Vietnamese bia hơi culture of meeting friends for fuss-free snacks and cold beer, on Peckham’s bustling Rye Lane.
Earlier this year, Bánh Bánh collaborated with house of baby to launch a more contemporary take on a Vietnamese restaurant on Peckham’s Rye Lane.
Lai Rai brought the group – which is overseen by Kevin Nguyen – up to a total of four sites, joining Little Bánh Bánh, Bánh Bánh Peckham and Bánh Bánh Brixton.