Get around it. The KFC Banh Mi is going national!
Plus the $6.95 Giant Snack Pack returns!
Enjoy!
Thanks to my source for the heads up!
$9.95 Zinger Banh Mi, $6.95 Giant Snack Pack @ KFC (Select Restaurants)
2131
HamBoi69 on 03/11/2025 - 20:41 kfc.com.au (18308 clicks)
Last edited 05/11/2025 - 11:42 by 1 other user
Last edited 05/11/2025 - 11:42 by 1 other user
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They say never meet your heroes but I think I’ll make an exception
ZBM
Great, My boy loves the giant snack pack, he loves its name and everything about it. Wish it wasn't seasonal.
Vietnamese community writhes in pain
I know, my local city shop is always packed at lunchtimes. I don’t think this’ll affect them, just disgust them more likely.
Meh cant be so puritanical. This looks fun. I want one
Blasphemy!
Now the Viet community knows how Italians feel when they see Domino Pizza :)
If you think all of these are 'innovation' or 'better' then there's something wrong in your head.
Learn to appreciate the history, culture of another country. I know yours doesn't have much of those, but the rest of the world does.@TheWetArmpit: The Bahn Mi is itself a twist. French ingredients, created for a French audience with a local Vietnamese twist.
This is how food works, we try different variations and see what people like, there's no historic or cultural "taint" to get upset about.
@TheWetArmpit: I’m honestly sick of people complaining about food not being “authentic.” You know what? If it tastes good, that is progress. Without a bit of culinary evolution, we wouldn’t even have Italian pasta — it likely originated from Asian noodles. And let’s not forget, tomatoes didn’t reach Italy until after South America was “discovered.”
If you don’t like pineapple on pizza, that’s totally fine — personal taste is subjective. But why whinge about it to everyone else? Different tastes are what make our global cuisine so interesting and diverse.
I kind of liken this mindset to the NIMBY attitude. That sort of resistance to change stops progress and often leads to unintended consequences — like worsening housing affordability — all because of a bit of selfishness. So if your thing is holding back progress, that’s on you. The rest of us are happy to move forward and enjoy the variety that comes with it.
@shkippy: You obviously did not read my comment and just whinge like a baby. If the Italian learn how to make noodle from Asia and call it pasta, not whatever the Chinese was calling it - kudos to them. You should follow.
As for the taste, sorry but who do you think you are? If Anthony Bourdain said it's good, I would believe it. If you, coming from the land of no cuisine said it's good, I wouldn't bother. Honestly some of the most famous celebrity chef when encounters an exotic cuisine would show appreciation and humble and there's some dude on the internet slashing down all cultures in the world claiming he knows better. Ffs.@TheWetArmpit: Ah, so it’s not the evolution of food you have an issue with — it’s just the names? If you say so, but here’s the thing: pasta and noodles, regardless of what we call them, share so many fundamental characteristics — shape, texture, cooking methods. So trying to make a big deal out of the name seems like splitting hairs. Food is food, no matter what you call it. If you think pasta should only be called pasta and not something with Asian origins, that’s a bit of a narrow view of how cuisine works.
And while we’re on the topic of assumptions — let’s clear up one thing: you don’t know a damn thing about me, so let’s not pretend like I’m some clueless person making random claims. I’m extremely well-travelled, and I’ve experienced more cuisines than most people who’re stuck in the "authentic" mindset. So when I say food should be about creativity and enjoyment, I’m speaking from experience — not just spouting opinions from a couch somewhere.
You’re right that traditions matter, but food culture is constantly evolving, and sometimes names change along the way. But if you’re so hung up on calling something the "right" name, then what do we do about fusion dishes like sushi burritos or Indian tacos? Should they be banned because they don’t have the "right" name? That’s just limiting what food can be. The name isn’t as important as the flavors and the creativity behind the dish.
So, we can argue about names all day, but at the end of the day, food should be about enjoying what’s on the plate — not policing who gets to call it what. And if you can’t get past that, well, you’re the one missing the point.
@shkippy: Look, if your culture has something that you are proud of, and then one day someone associate that with their product (which is nothing like yours, in a bad way) just to make money/fame for themselves then you should stand up for your culture and I don't see anything wrong with it. You're saying all changes are better progress, well only SOME are. And I am here arguing at cases that aren't. Hard to explain to someone from a 200+ years old country but oh well this is my last attempt.
Yes sir you've travelled far and wide (compared to an average Aussie) and you've had sushi burritos and Indian tacos and I don't think I need American dose for today anymore, I've had something equally strong.
Edit: I was gonna start my point by saying what do you think when we take this dish of yours, do shit on it and use the same name but I realized you have nothing.@TheWetArmpit: I get that you’re passionate about protecting cultures, but as a foodie myself, I believe food evolves — that’s how traditions stay alive. Every culture borrows, adapts, and innovates — sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But without mistakes, we don’t get progress. So I’m not saying all changes are good, but dismissing them outright limits growth.
As for the "you don’t have anything" comment — that’s a cheap shot. You don’t know me, where I’ve been, or what I’ve experienced. Just because I don’t hold the same rigid view of authenticity doesn’t mean I’m uninformed or disrespectful.
Food isn’t just about keeping things exactly as they are — it’s about trying new things and embracing change. Sometimes progress comes from mistakes, and that’s part of the journey.
We’re probably never going to agree on this, but I’m fine with cultures evolving (even through fast food giants). If you don’t like it, vote with your feet — that’s how we move forward, not by dismissing it outright.
@shkippy: Vote for what? Starting a campaign to stop KFC calling it banh mi? Lol. If people are self aware then these campaigns will be shut down pretty quick.
Idk if you work for KFC, but none of these things are meant to be for a better cuisine. They're using another one's culture to profit themselves.
2 more points on the 'name': Firstly it's branding. If this keeps going then 2 generations down people will not associate banh mi with Vietnam but instead there will be LA banh mi, Aussie banh mi (already happening), KFC banh mi and that my friend, affect tourism and image.
Secondly, for the love of god let the language evolve too! It is a huge part of the culture, use another word! If this didn't happen we would never have pasta, we just call it noodle, we would never have Pho, we just call it rice noodle. White bread, baguette, ciabatta, sourdough, banh mi, focaccia, naan….JUST BREAD@TheWetArmpit: For the record, I have nothing to do with KFC — I’m just a passionate foodie. “Vote with your feet” means don’t buy what you don’t like. Brands profit off other cultures, sure, but insisting every dish keep the exact name it had centuries ago is silly — pasta, pho, baguettes, naan… all borrowed, adapted, evolved. Vietnamese cuisine isn’t disappearing because KFC slapped “banh mi” on a menu, and languages evolve — that’s how cultures grow. Without experimentation, food gets stagnant, not celebrated. Life’s too short to gatekeep flavours; I’ll try new ones while I can, and you’re the one missing out.
@shkippy: Vote with your feet isn't always enough. If so there would never be a lobby campaign! To make everyone else aware of what it should be is part of it so here I am, in a so called open minded, freedom of speech Western world voicing it out.
You can stop with the 'borrowed, adapted, evolved' thing because that is side track. The point is do you see them having DIFFERENT name? Can you imagine if they are all called the SAME name like this KFC Bahn Mi (intended)?
Missing out on what, a KFC Bahn Mi? LoL sure.
Not all travellers gain the same knowledge. Shoving food in your mouth is not called a foodie. If you've never had Vietnamese shrimp paste or Japanese fish sperm or a durian (they're all very basic things btw) then you do not get to call me missing out. Missing out on a KFC Bahn Mi, rolf@TheWetArmpit: You’re absolutely free to voice your opinion — that’s what an open society is for — but turning a fast-food sandwich name into a “lobby campaign” feels a bit NIMBY: loud resistance over something that isn’t really under threat. People already know what a banh mi is; KFC using the name doesn’t erase Vietnam from the map, any more than “Aussie sushi” erased Japan.
And yes, I’ll keep bringing up “borrowed, adapted, evolved,” because that is the point. Food and language change through influence and exposure — that’s literally how culture grows. You can’t freeze progress just because a corporate version makes you uncomfortable.
As for “shoving food in my mouth” — I’ve actually tried plenty. I like durian, I’ve had shrimp paste in Thai, Vietnamese, and Filipino dishes (not my favourite, but I get the appeal), and offal’s still hit-or-miss for me no matter the country — though yes, I’ve even tried balut if bragging rights are required. Ukraine’s unsalted butter was interesting, almost every restaurant served it that way. Mongolian horse hot pot was less flavourful than I expected, and the best kimchi I’ve ever had was in Pyongyang. So yeah, I’ve explored.
Being a foodie isn’t about ticking off shock-value dishes — it’s about appreciating how food connects people and cultures. If you want to lobby against sandwiches, go for it. I’d rather just keep tasting the world and seeing how all those influences add up.
- I don't see any 'shock-value' dishes in your paragraphs. They're 'shock-value' for an average Anglo only so calm down there buddy.
- Culture appreciation comes from the learning of that culture and closely follow. It is not about making your version without even knowing what it really is about and claim it is a progress/evolution. You're shitting on that culture instead. Wtf is Aussie sushi? If we keep using the same name for things that are totally different would it be CONFUSING the heck out if it? So 20 years from now on people ask each other to go for a sushi they have to specify an Aussie sushi instead of a Indian lamb sushi? what about the bread example?
- This is from my point above where you call it a cheap shot. I wasn't talking about you. I assumed you're an Aussie so I was talking about Aussie cuisine. You guys have nothing to protect so you will never understand what this is really about. People are hypocrite. You said you've traveled a lot and I can guarantee you if you bring 'Jamie Oliver' version of a signature dish to a local they might be angry or they might lightly smile and said 'it is not ', but none of them would happily accept it. However they're more open to the twist if it is not their own food. And this is what's happening to you. I'm retiring from this nonsense.
@TheWetArmpit: You keep asking what “Aussie sushi” even is — that’s exactly what cultural evolution looks like. It’s not pretending to be Japanese sushi, it’s a local reinterpretation influenced by different tastes and ingredients. If you can’t tell the difference between that and sushi in Japan, it really exposes your "keyboard warrior” inexperience. You’re a new user with zero posts, so maybe once you get some actual experience /contribute on ozbargain, I’ll pay more attention — but we’ll see.
No one’s going to forget what a banh mi really is because KFC used the name. Adaptation doesn’t erase origin; it sparks curiosity for the real thing. Australia’s food scene is built on migration, diversity, and adaptation — the very things you’re condemning as “inauthentic.”
Without experimentation or mistakes, nothing improves. Progress doesn’t happen by not trying recipes whether liked or disliked. That's my final point. .
@shkippy: Mate, that was a rhetorical question about the sushi.
Evolution. WOW. That says a lot about your 'experience'. It is exactly what I was talking about: shoving food into your mouth without knowing what's good.
I'm telling you I would never post anything on this site for sure. Is it supposed to say something about my view of culture? (This is not a question in case you're gonna answer). A cultured Aussie man is someone who can find and post 100 bargains/day? LoL. Keep that 'culture' to yourself malaka.
Aussie food cuisine is built by immigrants with adaptation because of the lack of ingredients and Anglo taste is horrible. I'm not gonna continue arguing with someone who thinks KFC is doing a revolutionary progress to the banh mi.@TheWetArmpit: Mate, you keep saying you’re done arguing while still writing essays — that’s some Olympic-level contradiction right there.
Let’s set the record straight though: saying food evolves isn’t the same as saying “everything is authentic.” No one thinks KFC invented the banh mi. The point is that exposure — even through clumsy corporate attempts — often leads people to discover the real thing. Just ask anyone who tried “Tex-Mex” before learning what proper Mexican food actually tastes like.
You’re also mixing up cultural appreciation with cultural preservation. One doesn’t erase the other. Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian — every cuisine that’s left its mark abroad has adapted locally. That’s not “shitting on culture”; that’s how culture spreads. Australia’s food scene literally exists because immigrants adapted recipes to what was available. If that’s “inauthentic,” then half of what Australians eat shouldn’t even exist, according to you.
But the main point you’re missing is that you’re dismissing it outright before even trying it. To be fair, I haven’t tried it myself either — it may well be crap — although Greg’s Kitchen review surprisingly suggests otherwise. That’s really what I care about: does it taste good? All this “ruining cultures” stuff you’re throwing around just doesn’t exist in the real world.
Food doesn’t stay in a museum behind glass; it travels, it mutates, and it tells you something about where it’s been. Anyway, I’m all for passionate discussion — just maybe less name-calling and more nuance next time. Calling people “malaka” doesn’t make your argument spicier, just saltier.
@shkippy: I'll have no problem with borrowing or adapting if it's done thoughtfully. Like if there's a new Banh Mi version using complementing ingredients picked by an experienced chef.
But in this case, KFC just stuffs their chicken in the Viet bread and call it Banh Mi. That's a capitalist way to steal a popular name for some easy money.
Trust me, if a specific dish is culturally significant to you, then it gets messed up by some bogans, you'll feel the same.
@User531437: His country doesn't have any national dish so you're wasting your time. He will never understand.
@Rybo5000: You think if you only Google it for 2 secs and you gonna be Viet food expert 😂 Do you know the Vietnamese always localize most foreign ingredients? Look at the Banh Mi bread and see how different it is from the Baguette.
French ingredients for a French audience my ass 😂 The French colonists at that time never bothered trying any local stuffs, because they believed their stuffs were superior.
Vietnamese fought hard for their own identity, even in cuisine. That's why we don't like KFC spoiling the name of Banh Mi by stuffying fried chicken in.
Call it a sandwich, a bread roll, some (profanity) general thing and leave the Banh Mi alone.@User531437: To be fair, banh mi in a literal meaning means bread/sandwich haha so being a Vietnamese it doesn't bother me to say the least and paying homage to the banh mi - they are trying to capitalize on the hype of banh mi though. Similar to the concept of the snack pack.
"Zinger® Bánh Mì is certifiably FLG®. Bite into a flavour packed blend of Vietnamese & KFC flavours. Spicy Zinger® Fillet, fresh cucumber & carrot Vietnamese style slaw, drizzled with two special sauces, Bánh Mì and Supercharged."
I did chuckle when I saw this on my KFC app though, not sure if i'd give it a try
All in all though, most different cuisines go through local taste iteration and it's not like they're outright saying something like "we made it and its new"
- You're arguing on technicality here. When Vietnamese say let's have a banh mi, 90% of the time they don't mean to go have a plain bread. By the same thought pad Thai and Pho are interchangeable then?
- People need to stop saying "as an X, I am…" There are all kind of people in a country. Some are humble, some are proud (of their country) but some are self-hating. Your thought does not representing the whole nation and you should stop self-important like an American.
- Honestly have some f****** pride for your country.
French ingredients, created for a French audience
You mean the other way around? The Viet baguette is a local evolution of the French baguette.
But Italian pizza comes from New York. /s
🤣🤣
Ehhhh, having travelled pretty extensively through Italy.. their pizzas suck.
It helps make the real ones more famous, a normal thing for anyone to eat and not just fat guys and tradies.
Banh mi means "white bread" and if you have it in Vietnam or even Australia you can have it with a variety of meats outside pork including chicken, beef, fish cake, egg etc. So slapping fried chicken in a banh mi wont offend anyone especially since the French introduced the bread to the Vietnamese and even beef which became the national dish Pho.
Exactly. I'm glad that I've gone six comments and unlike many Asian Facebook groups, there's noone complaining about cultural appropriation like Simu Liu did about the guys who came on Shark Tank with a healthier version of Boba(he claimed bubble tea "belonged" to Asians even though none of us had even heard of it 30 years ago.)
Trying out different parts of each other's culture, rather than gatekeeping, is the way to go if we want to get along. Even if you do a lousy job, it's totally fine for you to have a crack and as mentioned above, it'll just help us appreciate the good stuff. And give us comedy gold like Uncle Roger.
i’m more interested if the chicken they will use is minced or proper chunks of chicken fillets.
usually shredded chicken breast or thigh
Just giving you my two cents, the original banh mi only has specific kinds of chicken (mostly grill or shredded). Of course you can put fried chicken in there, but it doesn't mean you should. It's like you can have pork in pizza, but crackling pork is not an option. There is a difference between creativity (careful thoughts and combination) and just trying to sell something weird in the name of a signature dish.
to be fair, lots of vietnamese bakeries over here are doing all sorts of stuff shoved into a baguette and calling it banh mi to suit the tastes of many.
They do the same in Vietnam as well; for example banh mi bot loc is common there but serve it here and everyone will turn their chin up on it.
The entire concept of the banh mi in vietnamese cuisine is types of meats, soy sauce/chilli, butter (or a variant of mayo), pate and the veggies which also has a variation depending on where you buy your banh mi (aus and vietnam)
you can have pork in pizza, but crackling pork is not an option
You need to step up your pizza game if you're writing off crackling as a topping
@nickvdk Oh no please dont tell me you think Europeans introduced bread and beef to Asian countries lol.
Wow i guess people will believe any wiki info thats written down. No beef in South East Asia before Europeans came?? Bread has been in Asia for thousands of years. Its the Europeans that learnt how to make bread from Asian and Arab countries.
I don't think it's a cultural problem.
it's just the fact a massive corpo giant is yoinking a great budget food that made it's own reputation, and sticking it on their signs at the drivethrough for fast food marketing.
now this is a valid comment - and I think a lot of people on this thread is upset about this part because it could take away from the local bakeries who makes delicious Banh Mi.
From a business point of view I can see why - there's been a big following of Banh Mi as a whole and we're seeing so many variations of the banh mi appear here now which is great so KFC thought they'd throw their hat in the ring.
@atimuslol: On the topic of local businesses, I've actually been going to them more lately. So many have closed down that I want to support them. I actually just found out yesterday that a local Japanese cafe that did awesome breakfasts permanently closed this week. Sunday was their last day of operation which was sad that wife and I didn't get to eat from them one more time.
I have two local bakeries I go to… one on the way to the bus stop and another near my PO Box. I try to get a pie/sausage roll/banh mi from them when it's lunch on a cheat day.
@Mugsy: Yeah around my area modern cafes come up and down within the span of a year or two - it's cutt throat when margins are low and requires foot traffic as well.
Every time I go to the office for work, I stop by the same cafe at the train station as the owners are super sweet for a coffee (even though I just had one prior to leaving home). So I understand that sentiment.
Thankfully in the topic of this Zinger Banh Mi - there's no KFC directly in Cabramatta; even then I'm certain most people wouldn't go KFC for a Banh Mi around my area outside of giving it a try.
@atimuslol: You're not wrong about the low margins and need for foot traffic (at least for any that don't have easily accessible parking and are located on a busy road).
I moved into this area in 2019 and during that time, the wife and I have frequented 4 different Japanese take aways (including the Japanese cafe that just closed). Only one is still operating which is super sad. Each one had their own specialties so we cycled between them.
The best fish n chips shop closed down (well, the original owners actually sold up first and the new owners just didn't make the food to the same high quality, whilst prices went up).
And 2yrs ago I could still get a banh mi for $6.50… $8 is the cheapest in the area now. Doesn't seem to have affected the customer base for the bakeries though… patronage still seems high during the times I've gone. Hopefully my impression is an indication of reality.
American Colonel historically not sucessful in Vietnam
Just this colonel has been very successful there.
It’s like McDonald’s serving matcha drinks now
To them its a blasphemin mi
Waiting for the Tandoori Chicken or Tikka Masala Twister 🫡
I unironally think a zinger fillet Japanese curry would go pretty hard
I'd buy this. Japanese curry and Zinger would be an awesome combo
There was a bar near Melbourne central that used to do Japanese curry parmas. Your normal Parma except curry instead of ham and tomato sauce. It's closed now :(
A place in Queenstown does these. Was epic.
There's a place in Rosebud that still does it!
Randomly, it's an Irish pub lol: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WghzkaDmSqTESmdG7
I've had it a few times and dang is it good!
Don’t yuck my yum
A curry sammich in pretty much any form is the nectar of the gods.
A butter chicken dipping sauce would be dope
The chicken tikka pizza at dominos is a favourite of mine
Did kfc hire a bunch of cranky middle asian women to take the orders?
Mature Vietnamese lady with tattooed eyebrows thanks
Make sure to be picky about which ingredients you want in your Bahn Mi so they swear at you in Viet whilst begrudgingly making your Bahn mi.
I prob prefer that to the ABG barista that spits in my morning coffee
— oh who am I kidding I do pay extra for that low key.
@Jimothy Wongingtons: the spit adds texture to the milk, it’s not due to the baristas’ milk texturing skills using steam.
…. and thennn…..
No and then!!!
…..
…and thennnn
And then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then
Fun little Easter egg, the name of that restaurant is actually "and then" in Chinese
Cash money only
You want card. Go next door. They have cash machine.
I guess there will be toddlers running through the kitchen now.
The way some of these kids staffing the Maccas/kfc/hungry jacks now it may as well be childcare.
But also for asian restaurants that’s how you know you’re gonna have the most authentic meal ever
why do you say cranky?
the one I always go to she has always got a smile on her face. friendly.
Zinger Lasagna when?
Zinger carbonara
Zinger carbonata!? If my grandma had wheels she would have been a bike!
I had the zinger base pizza in China… wasn’t bad
gdi I just bought craploads of food from milkrun earlier today…
This should be called blasphemyn mi.
what are you trying to do disgrace her (bahnmi) memory!?
Bring us the double down dog!
RIP $4.95 Sweet Tokyo Fill Up
@Jimothy Wongingtons you’re dream came true my friend!