A Hidden Vietnamese Bakery in Chandler That Took Me Straight Back to Childhood

This past Friday, I had the day off thanks to the Easter holiday weekend. Instead of filling it with to-dos, I decided to spend it simply—sharing a meal with my parents. I texted my mom to see if she and my dad were craving bánh mì, and of course, she had a spot in mind.

She told me about Kim Thao’s Bakery in Chandler, Arizona, a newly opened Vietnamese bakery run by a woman who used to work as a receptionist at her longtime family doctor’s office. Now, she’s serving up some of the most authentic Vietnamese dishes you’ll find in the East Valley. Naturally, we made the trip.

Walking into Kim Thao’s felt like opening a portal to my childhood. The smell of fresh baguettes, the quiet hum of the cooler, the trays of familiar dishes lining the shelves—it all felt so warm, so familiar. There were caramelized pork chops over rice, neatly packed to-go containers of nước mắm, and traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, cà phê sữa đá, already perfectly mixed with sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice. You couldn’t see the milk, but you could taste it—creamy, bold, and just sweet enough.

We ordered a stack of bánh mì sandwiches and while we waited, I browsed. The bánh cuốn—steamed rice rolls filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms—caught my eye, so I picked some up to enjoy later for dinner.

The sandwiches were beautifully packed. The baguettes were golden and crackly on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. Inside, the classic combo of Vietnamese cold cuts didn’t disappoint: thinly sliced head cheese and pork roll layered with a rich, savory smear of pâté. On the side came a baggie filled with all the fresh fixings—pickled daikon, pickled carrots, sprigs of cilantro, and jalapeño slices. Everything was fresh, vibrant, and clearly prepared with care.

My mom and I brought the sandwiches back to her place and dug in. The crunch of that first bite was everything. It’s the kind of bánh mì that makes you stop mid-bite and just appreciate where you are, who you're with, and what you’re tasting. I brought one home for my husband too, and he devoured his just as quickly.

That night, I warmed up the bánh cuốn. Each roll was soft and tender, the wrapper made from a steamed rice batter (not rice paper!) that gave it that silky, slightly chewy texture I love. Topped with crispy fried shallots and served with the perfect pour of fish sauce, it was the kind of dinner that doesn’t just fill you up—it soothes you.

Kim Thao’s Bakery is the kind of place that stays with you. It’s more than just a spot to grab lunch. It’s a reminder of where you come from, of flavors passed down, of home. For anyone looking for the best bánh mì in Chandler—or just a place that puts heart into every dish—this bakery is a gem.

Come for the food. Stay for the feeling.