Kim and Dao started Lotus Banh Mi as UIC students, testing recipes on coworkers and neighbors before opening their first shop on campus right after graduation, and grew it into a Chicagoland mini-chain of scratch-cooked Vietnamese counters. Kim, who studied nutrition, built a menu meant to be wholesome as well as craveable, and Dao, a civil engineer, built the operation to move fast. The banh mi are the namesake, from the Belly Classic with pâté, pork roll and pork belly to honey grilled pork, ginger chicken, a sunny-side beef with a fried egg and a crispy tofu Veggiecado, all with house mayo and pickled daikon and carrot from about $11.
The pho is built on a homemade broth in beef, chicken or a tofu version on bone broth, and there are coconut curry rice bowls, honey-lemongrass pork bowls, noodle salads, crispy pork eggrolls and fresh spring rolls with pineapple peanut sauce. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30am to 8pm and closed Mondays.
No photos yet — be the first to add one.
Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.
Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.
to suggest a special.
Think Lotus Banh Mi - Naperville deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.
to nominate a gem.
Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.
The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.
Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.
Chicago
