Banh Mi - The Vietnamese Sandwich

Bánh Mì attracts foreign people when they travel to Vietnam, Rhea & Sam (YouTube channel)

What Is "Bánh Mì"?

Banh Mi or Bánh Mì is often called a Vietnamese sandwich, which is one of the most favorite street foods in Vietnam, and it is likely to become popular around the world. It was known as a combination of crispy, airy bread, and savory fillings.

In Vietnamese, the word “Bánh” means kind of bread, but it could be used to refer the baguette of Vietnamese or the sandwich, and the word “Mì” means the wheat.

The History Of Bánh Mì

The origins of Bánh Mì can be traced back to Vietnam's colonial period under French rule which lasted from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th century. One of the culinary foods from this time is the introduction of French baguette. The French has brought the bread to Vietnam, but for the first time, the baguette was eaten with butter, pâté, and other European ingredients. After that, Vietnamese people adapted the baguette and turned it into their unique version of the bread – now it is called Bánh Mì. Instead of the traditional French fillings, Bánh Mì was combined with the natural ingredients of Vietnamese people such as carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and a variety of proteins, from pork to tofu. The bread itself was modified to be lighter, with a crispier crust than the French baguette.

For the first time, it began with humble street food, but now it has become more popular and appears in luxury restaurants, casual eateries, and street vendors. Whether you love spicy, sweet, or savory, Bánh Mì has it ready to serve you. Due to the fact that Vietnamese people settled in a lot of countries, especially the USA, Canada, and Australia, Bánh Mì began to appear in these in the early times.

Main Ingredients Of Bánh Mì:

Bread/Baguette/Sandwich: This is a soul of Bánh Mì

Spread: A flavorful spread often lines inside the baguette bread. Many popular spreads are mayonnaise sauce and butter, sometime is pâté from pork, and add the richness and depth to the sandwich

Pickled vegetables: It is a signature component of Bánh Mì. It is often a combination of julienned carrots and daikon radish, these vegetables are picked in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt. Therefore, it has a sour flavor for people

Fresh herbs: It is a must-have component in Bánh Mì. It creates a delicious taste for sandwiches

There are many types of protein in Bánh Mì:

Grilled pork: The fresh pork was marinated in a blend of lemongrass, garlic, sugar, and fish sauce, then grilled until it is perfectly cooked. Thus, the grilled pork will bring a delicious smell

Cold cuts (Chả Lụa): It is a type of pork sausage in Vietnam like bologna, it is often used with pâté and other types of meats

Condiments: There are a lot of different condiments in Bánh Mì, including the spicy sauce, tomatoes sauce, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. People can customize their sandwich following to their favorite

Types Of Bánh Mì

Banh Mi Thit — **Bánh Mì Thịt** - It is a classic version and has fillings with meat, pâté, and vegetable, (Google images)

Banh Mi Op La — **Bánh Mì Ốp La** - It is a popular breakfast of Vietnamese people with fillings of egg and vegetable, (Google images)

Banh Mi Xiu Mai — **Bánh Mì Xíu Mại** - It is a popular version with the fillings of pork and tomatoes, (Google images)

Banh Mi Cha Lua — **Bánh Mì Chả Lụa** - The chả lụa is a mixture of ground pork, spices, and herbs that wrapped in banana leaves, steamed, and sliced when eaten, (Google images)

How To Make Bánh Mì At Home?

Foreign Youtuber made Banh Mi at his home, Laurent Dagenais (YouTube channel)

Ingredients:

For the pickled vegetables:

1 cup of julienned carrots

1 cup of julienned daikon radish

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of salt

1/4 cup of water

For the pickled grilled pork:

1 baguette

1 lb pork shoulder

2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 cup of mayonnaise

For the fresh cilantro:

Sliced cucumbers

Soy sauce

Spicy sauce

Instructions:

Pickling the vegetables: In a bowl, mix the vinegar, sugar, water, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Add the julienned carrots and daikon, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let them pickle for at least one hour in the refrigerator.
Marinating the pork: In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and lemongrass. Add the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for enhanced flavor.
Grilling the pork: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and caramelized on the outside. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Assembling the sandwich: Slice the baguette lengthwise, spreading mayonnaise on both sides. Layer in the sliced pork, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and cucumber. Drizzle with sriracha if desired.
Enjoying: Enjoy your homemade Banh Mi immediately, savoring the crispy bread, flavorful pork, and refreshing toppings!

More Bánh Mì's Images And Audio

Banh Mi with Grilled Pork — Banh Mi Heo Quay, (Google images)

Banh Mi with Grilled Beef — Banh Mi Thit Nuong, (Google images)

Famous Bánh Mì Shop In Vietnam

In Ho Chi Minh city, you can find many famous Bánh Mì shops such as Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa and Bánh Mì Hòa Mã. Each brings their own twist to the classic sandwich.

Banh Mi Hoa Ma — Vietnamese eat Banh Mi in every morning, (Google image)

Fun Fact

Did you know that in March 24th 2011, the terminology “Bánh Mì” was recognized in Oxford dictionary with the note “is a kind of sandwich of Vietnam”. Lonely Planet

Banh Mi in Oxford — "Banh Mi" word appears in Oxford dictionary, (Google image)