“In Vietnamese culture, eating is a social event,” Ly Dan, co-founder of Alexandria Vietnamese eatery Lit Canteen tells Broadsheet.

“Growing up, one family would put on a feast – be it pho or rice-paper rolls – and 10 or 20 members of the extended family would come together, just to enjoy a meal.”

This type of gathering has been impossible since Sydney went into lockdown in late June. But Lit Canteen is reviving that communal spirit by delivering banh mi boxes for sharing with your household (or, if you live alone, your friend in your single’s bubble).

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“Banh mi is a traditional way of eating, common all over Vietnam,” says Dan. “If you go to a big wedding, a banh mi spread will be put on between the ceremony and the reception.”

Just as during those feasts in Vietnam, Lit Canteen’s banh mi boxes are a bounty of meats, sauces, pickles, veggies and breads.

There are two options: the OG and the Vego. The former comes with barbeque-pork patties, 24-hour-brined roast chicken and a selection of hams. The latter features tofu and panko-crumbed mushrooms.

Both include house-made mayo, pate – both with vegan versions for the Vego box – and soy sauce, all made to secret family recipes, as well as house-pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, shallots, coriander and chilli.

Load everything up into bread rolls (each box has three), specifically made by a local baker to fluffy, crispy perfection. And as a nod to the baguette’s French origins, every box includes a croissant.

“The box goes on the table, then people put things together themselves, however they like,” says Dan. “One person might smear a generous serving of pate over everything, while another might prefer mayo, or chicken and carrot and nothing else.”

Each box ($45) contains ingredients for generous helpings for four.

Home delivery happens every Saturday. Orders must be placed by Thursday online or on 0435 585 853. Delivery fees are $10 within a seven-kilometre radius, $15 within a 15-kilometre radius, $20 within a 20-kilometre radius and $30 within a 25-kilometre radius. For pick-up, order the day before to collect from 8am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday.

@lit_canteen