Rise and Shine Bakery: Unrivaled Vietnamese Flavors in Edmonds

Rise & Shine Bakery | Vietnamese

🌎 EDMONDS, WA, USA

A Bit of Backstory

In a soft, daisy-yellow building on Highway 99 in Edmonds, WA is a local delicacy. 

Rise & Shine Bakery is a woman-owned, family-operated cafe that specializes in traditional Vietnamese fare. From banh mi to pho, and coffee to mango sticky rice, the food served here is both adaptable and casual. 

On my first stop in, I was graced by a conversation with the owner. Mai, who moved to Washington State from Vietnam, now champions the baking, cooking, and catering for Rise & Shine.

Her face brightened when I mentioned that I’d just returned from a trip to her home country, where I fell in love with the relaxed culture and Cà Phê Sữa (Vietnamese coffee). 

After chatting for a while, Mai motioned me to the bakery case to pick out a complimentary treat. As someone who typically avoids pastries, I requested her counsel. We decided on a pastry with sesame filling*, but I was impressed with how many other sweet and more savory options there were.

The Food & Coffee Experience

I proceeded to order a Tofu Five Spice banh mi, opting out of the jalapenos as usual, and Cà Phê Sữa. They arrived at the table soon after, igniting my caloric anticipation.

Mai’s culinary talent glimmered as I sank my teeth into the house-made French bread. It was soft and hearty, with a mild toast on the outside; to my joy, the crust wasn’t overbearingly flaky.

The amount of vegetables was slightly more than what you’d find on a standard banh mi, and the mushrooms were a pleasant variation. I tend to relish vegetables whose colors pop, too; that’s a testament of their freshness. As an added bonus, the tofu was the perfect balance of crispy and tender. 

Also, I’m not kidding about the coffee: it’s some of the most genuine I’ve tasted since returning to the States. It carries the same gratifying boldness of most coffees offered in Vietnam.

*My later indulgence in the sesame pastry proved Mai’s brilliance even further. It was like an eggier bear claw, delightfully soft and with a filling that didn’t overwhelm the pastry.

Repeated 5-Star Satisfaction

Since that first visit, I’ve built up a reputation as a regular. Dat, Mai’s son, has committed my custom vegetarian banh mi—and preference for a stronger coffee—to memory. 

Each visit, whether it’s Mai or Dat at the counter, I’m greeted warmly—like a friend. Their amiability gives the dining experience the same comfort as getting home after a long day. 

It’s little wonder why their Google rating is hovering at 4.9 stars with hundreds of reviews. They deserve it! With delicious, authentic food and smiles friendliness abound, Rise & Shine emulates the best of the warmth and vibrancy of Vietnam.

What a special set of experiences to share for my first official food review! ❇