Unbreaded

Xie Xie For the Sandwiches

In Mandarin, “xie xie” (pronounced shay-shay) translates to thank you. That’s exactly what we found ourselves saying after indulging in sandwiches at Chef Angelo Sosa’s new shop. The chef who has most notably developed the menus at Morimoto and Buddakan for the Starr Restaurant Organization, and also worked for Jean-Georges, opened Xie Xie to combine his love of sandwiches and Asian flavors.

The decor of the tiny space feels like something Tadao Ando would conjure if he were hired to work on a cartoon-themed bubble tea shop. Purple painted walls, white retro fixtures, and stylized bento boxes make it clear that you’re in for something more than the average banh mi. The menu adorns a large board hanging over the tiny counter space where sandwiches are assembled in front of your eyes as you wait. Beverages are displayed in a brightly lit refrigerator and include a wild selection ranging from individual wine boxes and sake bottles to New York local juices from Red Jacket Orchard and Fire Island beers.

The most ordered sandwich is the Vietnamese BBQ Beef, a succulent short rib that is braised in lemongrass, chili and ginger. Served on a plump, soft, sesame seed brioche roll, smeared with basil mayo and topped with carrot kimchee, a medley of flavors are incorporated from several regions. The meat is so tender it falls apart, a hint of sweetness is noted from the sugar glaze used during cooking, which is balanced by the heat of the kimchee.

The Fish Cha Ca La Vong is named after a famous age old restaurant in Hanoi. Sosa explains that the only dish served there is a whole fish brilliantly grilled over charcoal. When finished, the fish is slammed down on the table where nothing but a mixture of dill and other spices is added, splattering around, usually ending up all over the diners, who see it as an honor. At Xie Xie, you don’t have to worry about your shirt getting dirty, but the flavors in the Cha Ca sandwich are impressive as the Hanoian meal sounds. Grilled tilapia is smothered in a sweet onion jam, a handful of dill and served on a perfectly crusty baguette with Sriracha mayonnaise.

Although the sandwiches are filling, especially surprising because of their reasonable price for New York City, we urge you to splurge for dessert. The 1,000 Year-Old ice cream sandwich, is one of the finest we’ve tasted in a long time. Two wafer-thin chocolate cookies encompass a tart vanilla ice cream. Inside your treasures await: a gooey black caramel center so piquant, it will force a smile on any face.

In Manhattan, where Asian sandwich shops seem to be popping up on every corner, Chef Angelo Sosa’s Xie Xie is a welcome breath of fresh air. Although we only tasted two of the five sandwiches on the menu, we’ve heard great things about the Asian Lobster Roll, Sweet Glazed Pork buns, and Shredded Braised Chicken. The imaginative flavors and reasonable prices will most definitely bring us back to Xie Xie again.

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Xie Xie
645A 9th Avenue New York, NY 10036 (Google Map)