For years, a gaping hole taunted Vietnamese food lovers in Berlin, leaving one question on their minds: why, in such a multi-cultural city that offers such a variety of cuisines, could one not find the bánh mì? This unlikely sandwich, the product of French Colonialism in Vietnam turned new international trend, is the perfect blend of chewy (the rice flour baguette) crunchy (the pickled vegetables inside), savory (the roasted pork and paté) and spicy (the sliced chilies and fiery sauce).

Now at last, Cô Cô bánh mì has appeared as a savior to fill that gap with their tasty creations. The brainchild of Saigon-born owner Anh Vu Dang, the store sits on a widely traversed and lately much-developed street in Mitte, and beckons with a grey and white matted interior, community tables, baskets and jars full of fruit, a “blackboard” with the menu written out above a glass “deli case” so you can see all the fresh goodies going into your sandwich, and shelves full of marmalade made by Dang, teas, and honeys from local providers.

In addition to the traditional pork bánh mì, Cô Cô offers a variety of other options, such as a vegetarian version with lemongrass-tofu, and marinated beef topped with a fried egg. It also serves up another enticing Vietnamese tradition: a filled rice flour “pancake” called the bánh xeo. All ingredients are guaranteed fresh—most of them come from the Dong Xuan Center in Lichtenberg, an oft-whispered secret among the ranks of Berlin’s Asian food enthusiasts—and to prove it, the store plans to give a behind-the-scene “tour” to any customer who asks for one.