Pork Ham Baguette Just as we thought that the opening of Banh Mi has slowed down of the late, we came across yet the news of another Banh Mi specialty stall that had recently opened its doors. Red Dot Baguette is the newest addition to Depot Heights Shopping Centre, situated along the same row of shop units as Mad Roaster Coffee & Toast’s outlet in the said neighbourhood mall as well. Despite us visiting Red Dot Baguette just a few days after its opening at Depot Heights Shopping Centre, the brand has already begun retrofitting works at yet another location that would become its second outlet — their second outlet being at Telok Blangah Crescent Market & Food Centre along 11 Telok Blangah Crescent. Their location at Depot Heights Shopping Centre is rather simply decked; it seems that the set-up or the stall has been kept to a bare minimum, with a mobile food cart that fronts its store that is also used to keep its baguettes and some of the condiments on display. We have came across videos posted by the folks behind the establishment where it suggests that the baguettes are baked in-house; being an establishment that only focuses on their Banh Mi offerings, Red Dot Baguette’s menu comprises of five different types of Banh Mi — this would include the BBQ Pork Baguette, Chicken Baguette, Beef Baguette, Egg Baguette and the Pork Ham Baguette. Patrons can either order the various Banh Mi offerings ala-carte or as a combo set that comes with a beverage. The selection of drinks available at Red Dot Baguette includes Iced Vietnamese Coffee, Iced Thai Milk Tea and a variety of canned drinks as well.
It has been a while since we had went for something similar to the Pork Ham Baguette — we hadn’t been to places that exclusively serves up Banh Mi for quite a while, and that the only time we did in recent times, we opted to go for a baguette that is served with lemongrass beef instead. It is not being described on the menu on the elements that comes with the Pork Ham Baguette at Red Dot Baguette, though it is observed that elements sandwiched in between the baguette includes a pate, a good number of slices of pork ham, tomato slices, pickled carrots, coriander, sriracha (optional) and pork floss. There is some waiting time involved in the making of each order; this is considering how Red Dot Baguette would only toast the baguettes warm upon order — this is before spreading and stuffing the various condiments in between. On first look, it is noted that the Pork Ham Baguette here comes stuffed pretty generously of the various ingredients, though the baguette also comes with a rather light shade of brown as compared to that of what we are quite used to seeing from baguettes that are served elsewhere. It is noted that the baguettes here do feel a little different from what we have had elsewhere texturally; one really significant difference was how light, crisp and airy the baguette is. Whilst there is a firm bite with the baguette here, it does not carry a tension as much as the other ones which we have had; the baguette also did not flake quite as much either, making it a really neat baguette to have. For a Pork Ham Baguette, this one is really stuffed with a generous load of ham; while the ham is of a single type unlike that of Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon, there is still a distinct bouncy bite that came from the pork ham here — comes with a light savouriness with the pate further adding on to that flavour profile that compliments the tangy and refreshing tomatoes and pickled vegetables that comes stuffed in between the baguette. While the sriracha adds a light touch of spiciness to the baguette, the addition of pork floss is one which we appreciated; provided yet another flavour and textural dimension to the entire baguette.
Red Dot Baguette does belong to one of those Banh Mi specialty stalls that are operating from a somewhat obscure location that is slightly inaccessible as compared to some others — its location and set-up does somewhat remind us of Banh Mi & Coffee by Phan that is located deep within Ang Mo Kio. That being said, it does seem that Red Dot Baguette places a lot of emphasis on the baguettes that they use for their Banh Mi; whilst Banh Mi specialty stalls are aplenty in Singapore, there are not a lot of locations that serve up Banh Mi using baguettes that are baked fresh in-house daily — this is where we find that credit is due for the folks behind Red Dot Baguette. Where the condiments and other ingredients are involved, it seems that Red Dot Baguette is able to pulled off the right proportion of ingredients to provide a good balance of meats, vegetables and bread as evident in the Pork Ham Baguette that we had went for — all these helped in achieving what is to them, the perfect Banh Mi experience to bring forth to its patrons. That being said, we are not quite sure about their aggressive expansion plans — considering how new they are even at Depot Heights Shopping Centre, it does seem that they are pretty eager in bringing their brand to a wider audience anyway. Irregardless, Red Dot Baguette is a great addition to the neighbourhood of Depot Heights, especially considering how there just seems to be a lack of interesting dining options for the residents in the neighbourhood; we would think that Red Dot Baguette is a spot that is worth making a visit for those whom live within its vicinity.