CMT8

What is CMT8? Named after Saigon’s bustling street-food thoroughfare Cách Mạng Tháng Tám, CMT8 is a sub-sidewalk Vietnamese counter at 81 Huron Street, just off Spadina in Chinatown. Run by the team behind Premium Bánh, the space channels authentic street culture with royal blue walls, yellow counters, and plastic stools out front catching the smoke from the charcoal grill. It is an intentionally stripped-back operation built around focused execution rather than bloated menus.

CMT8 Menu & What to Order Daytime service centers on crusty bánh mì stuffed with charcoal-grilled pork (heo nướng), lemongrass chicken, beef wrapped in betel leaf (bò lá lốt), or classic cold cuts with liver pâté. Come evening, the kitchen turns its focus to cơm tấm (broken rice) topped with charred pork chops, steamed egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin, and a fried egg drizzled with house fish sauce. Pair your meal with a strong cà phê sữa đá or an iced coconut coffee (cà phê cốt dừa), and finish with a cup of chè ba màu.

Know Before You Go Seating is tight and operates entirely on a walk-in basis, so expect a queue on the stairs when the charcoal is roaring during prime lunch and dinner hours. The shop is closed on Wednesdays, with bánh mì dominating the midday rush and cơm tấm taking over for evening crowds. Street parking on Huron is limited; take the 510 Spadina or 505 Dundas streetcar and walk over.