Trung Nam French Bakery

## Introduction / Overview: A Taste of Franco-Vietnamese Excellence in St. Paul

For decades, the culinary landscape of Minnesota has been enriched by establishments that seamlessly blend tradition with international flavors. In the heart of St. Paul's vibrant Frogtown neighborhood, **Trung Nam French Bakery** stands as a beloved institution and a delicious testament to the powerful fusion of French baking expertise and Vietnamese culinary soul. Located right on University Avenue West, this bakery is far more than a simple morning stop—it represents a rich piece of local history and a high standard of quality baking.

Since opening its doors in **1989**, Trung Nam has earned a reputation that extends well beyond the Twin Cities, built on two signature items: the perfectly executed **Croissant** and the legendary **Banh Mi Sandwich**. The history is significant; this family-owned and operated space is widely recognized as the **first bakery to introduce the Banh Mi Thit (Vietnamese sandwich) to the Minnesota market**, paving the way for a generation of Asian-French fusion dining.

Locals often rave about the "light-as-air" texture of their pastries, frequently labeling them as the **best croissants in the Twin Cities**. This praise is well-deserved, as the bakers apply French techniques, learned and perfected, to create a final product that is delightfully flaky, buttery, and light on the palate. But Trung Nam’s true magic lies in its ability to marry this French excellence with distinct Vietnamese flavors. Here, the traditional French baguette becomes the warm, crusty vessel for the savory, fresh-filled Banh Mi, and the classic croissant is transformed with a "dizzying variety" of sweet, fruit-forward fillings like blueberry, apricot, coconut, and almond.

In addition to baked goods, the bakery offers a quick-service cafe experience complete with savory options like the **Banh Bao** (steamed bun) and house-brewed **Trung Nam Coffee**. Whether you are rushing through the morning commute or seeking a comfortable spot for a midday treat, Trung Nam French Bakery offers a unique, quality-focused menu that reflects St. Paul's diverse and sophisticated food scene. Visitors are strongly advised to arrive early to ensure they get their preferred selection before the highly popular items sell out.

---

## Location and Accessibility

The prime location of **Trung Nam French Bakery** on University Avenue West makes it highly accessible for St. Paul residents and commuters utilizing one of the city's main corridors.

The address is:

739 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

This spot in the historic Frogtown neighborhood benefits from being centrally located, offering exceptional convenience for daily visits. Crucially for drivers, the location boasts a dedicated **Free parking lot**, which eliminates the common frustration of street parking in a busy urban area and makes a "quick pit stop" easy and stress-free.

Accessibility has been well-addressed at this location. It is equipped with a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**, ensuring that all members of the Minnesota community can enjoy the bakery's offerings with ease.

The service options reflect a modern, customer-first approach to a traditional bakery setting:

• **Drive-through:** An incredibly valuable feature for busy commuters and those needing a fast service option without leaving their car, maximizing efficiency for a quick grab-and-go experience.
• **Dine-in:** For those who prefer to relax and savor their coffee and pastry, the bakery offers indoor seating.
• **Takeout:** The fundamental service for quickly grabbing pre-ordered or in-store items.
• **In-store shopping & Onsite services:** Allowing customers to browse the full daily selection of fresh-baked goods and receive assistance from the friendly staff.

This strategic combination of easy access, free parking, and diverse service options confirms Trung Nam French Bakery as an ideal location for a **Quick visit** for your morning coffee or midday meal.

---

## Services Offered

Trung Nam French Bakery provides a range of services focused on efficiency, convenience, and high-quality food preparation.

• **Drive-Through Service:** A key feature for speed and convenience, allowing customers to pick up orders or purchase items efficiently during peak hours.
• **Fresh-Baked Daily Goods:** The core service, ensuring all items—from the Short Baguette to the Almond Croissant—are baked on-site and fresh each morning.
• **Coffee and Specialty Beverages:** The bakery functions as a full-service coffee counter, offering both **Regular Coffee** and the strong, traditional **Trung Nam Coffee** (Vietnamese-style coffee), along with a selection of **Hot Teas** and refreshing cold drinks like the **Soy Bean Drink** and **Coconut Drink**.
• **Savory Meal Options:** Providing prepared hot and cold food, including the classic **Banh Mi Sandwich**, the richer **Deluxe Banh Mi Sandwich**, and the Vietnamese steamed bun, **Banh Bao**, catering to lunch and heartier breakfast appetites.
• **Inclusive Amenities:** The premises include a standard **Restroom** and a **Gender-neutral restroom**, ensuring a welcoming environment for all patrons.
• **Flexible Payment Systems:** The bakery accepts all major forms of payment, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and modern **NFC mobile payments**, ensuring fast and secure transactions.

---

## Features / Highlights

The unique highlights of Trung Nam French Bakery stem from its commitment to authentic fusion and fresh ingredients, making it a standout in the local St. Paul scene.

• **Legendary, Flaky Croissants:** Praised across the Twin Cities, the croissants are known for their perfect, layered flakiness, buttery flavor, and light-and-airy texture, making them a must-try pastry experience.
• **Diverse Filled Croissant Selection:** Beyond the classic French preparation, the bakery excels in a variety of specialty, fruit-filled croissants (including Blueberry, Almond, Coconut, and Apple), reflecting a delightful Vietnamese adaptation of the French pastry tradition.
• **Pioneering Banh Mi:** The bakery is recognized as a pioneer for introducing the Banh Mi sandwich to the local community, serving it on its own freshly baked, crackly-crust French baguette, filled with savory meats, pâté, and fresh/pickled vegetables.
• **Affordable Quality:** The pricing structure, with items like the Short Baguette at just $1.00 and the standard Banh Mi at $7.00, offers exceptional value for high-quality, made-from-scratch French and Vietnamese fare.
• **Community Institution Status:** Having served the Frogtown neighborhood since 1989, the bakery holds a deep and cherished place in the memories of local families, some of whom have been loyal customers for generations.

---

## Contact Information

To plan your visit, check current offerings, or inquire about larger orders, please use the following contact details for the University Avenue location.

• Address: 739 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
• Phone: (651) 229-0887

---

## What is Worth Choosing

For Minnesota users, **Trung Nam French Bakery** is worth choosing specifically for the **authentic, flawless execution of the French-Vietnamese culinary identity**. This is not a bakery that simply offers a few French items alongside Asian ones; it is a successful, historical fusion of two great food traditions perfected over decades in the St. Paul community.

The primary reason to visit is to experience the bakery's claim to fame: the tandem of the **Croissant** and the **Banh Mi**. The croissants—specifically the unique varieties like the Almond or Coconut—are noted for their ethereal quality, often cited as superior to those found elsewhere in the Twin Cities. Pair one with a strong, rich cup of **Trung Nam Coffee** for a truly authentic Vietnamese breakfast experience.

Secondly, the dedication to freshness is a major draw. The baguettes for the Banh Mi are baked on-site, providing a superior crust and freshness that is non-negotiable for a perfect sandwich. The knowledge that you are visiting a local landmark—the source of Minnesota’s first popular Banh Mi—adds a rich, historical layer to your dining choice.

Finally, the sheer convenience offered by the **Drive-through** and the **Free parking lot** cannot be overstated. This setup makes a morning stop quick, easy, and efficient, ensuring you get your favorite pastry and coffee without disrupting a busy schedule. Due to the high popularity and the daily baking schedule, the best way to guarantee you get the legendary product is to **choose to visit early in the morning**, before the local crowds have depleted the freshest, most popular trays. Choosing Trung Nam is choosing quality, history, and a delicious culinary blend unique to the heart of St. Paul.

Trung Nam French Bakery

739 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104, USA