Cà Com

Melbourne’s long lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 led to the opening of this sandwich shop from the team behind Anchovy (a Vietnamese fine diner that’s since closed). Billed as a “bánh mì bar,” Cà Com’s specialty is actually khao jee pate, a Lao breakfast sandwich that isn’t technically a bánh mì but gets pretty damn close. The OG is jungle-spiced pork sausage big on lemongrass, galangal, and garlic, served on a crunchy long roll with mayo, jeow bong, pickles, and herbs. Five-spice pork belly and turmeric-coconut chicken also make regular appearances. The venue only seats six, so we like to grab a sandwich and Vietnamese iced coffee and head to Citizen’s Park nearby.