BÁNH MÌ – More Than Just A Sandwich

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BÁNH MÌ – More Than Just A Sandwich

Originally designed as on-the-go street food, Bánh mì – the iconic Vietnamese sandwich blending cuisines and cultures has been consistently ranked as one of the best sandwiches in the world for decades.

Beyond the delicious flavors, Bánh mì is a nice break from common sandwiches because of its fascinating history. The origin of Vietnamese sandwich is French baguette. Being imported into Vietnam since the 1800’s, until the French army attacked and occupied Gia Dinh city (Saigon), Bánh mì had become more popular. At first, Saigon people had this food as a light snack, and then time by time, it has been varied and sold throughout the country. Nowadays, many people consider Bánh mì as a cheap calorie main meal because of its convenience and nutrition values.

It is believed that the modern Bánh mì as we know today was born in Saigon. A couple called Mr. Le Minh Ngoc and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tinh is the first to be credited for making Bánh mì one of the Vietnamese creations. In 1954, they immigrated from the North of Vietnam to Saigon and open their “Bánh mì Hòa Mã” stall. While the bakeries around were selling baguette and cooled meat separately, at “Bánh mì Hòa Mã“, they were perfectly combined. The owners put cooled meat and pate into a span long baguette to make it more convenient for customers who did not have much eating time.

In recent days, there exists a bunch of Banh mi recipes according to the diversity in cultures and cuisines. With various ways of preparation, this sandwich is distinct from its origin.

The bread was remade by adding rice flour to the ingredients, which is always available in this agricultural country. Vietnamese people also shape it shorter and bake it in a different way so that the bread is pretty airy with light, crackly crust and a favourable savoury.

You have various options of filling that are mouth-watering. Vietnamese sandwich can be served with pork, pork bologna, chicken, egg or fish along with pâté, cucumbers, herbs, sour and sweet pickles, tasty handmade soy sauce, a spread of mayonnaise and some chilli sauce or peppers. This perfect mix has attracted people of all ages.

In Vietnam, Bánh mì is typically eaten as a breakfast food. Even though it is considered too dry, many people are picking it for lunch or dinner. Bánh mì is not only delicious, cheap, convenient but also healthy depends on the toppings you add into yours. Countless Bánh mì stalls and carts are found in the streets of Vietnam with customers from all walks of life. You might be a chairman or a worker, a normal person or a celebrity, you might be rich or poor, Bánh mì will make you get lost in its diversified flavours.

From a Vietnamese street food, Bánh mì has gone international. Today it has spread from Saigon to California and from there to the rest of the planet. Every city in North America now has its own bánh mì shop or chain: Bánh Mì Saigon in New York, Bun Mee in San Francisco, BONMi in Washington, DC, Bánh Mì Bá Get in Chicago, Bánh Mì Boys in Toronto …

“Vietnamese bánh mì offers a wealth of textures” said Andrea Nguyen – a northern California writer. “Crispy bread! Fatty mayo and meats! Crunchy pickles! Hot chilies! Refreshing cucumber and herbs! It’s pretty, not overly mysterious for people interested in exploring new cuisines” she said. “It’s varied in fresh vegetables, light flavors, and people can more or less identify what they’re eating. Vietnamese cuisine blends East Asia with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the West. Bánh mì is the perfect hybrid.” One of her recent blog posts is “Laughing Cow Cheese Omelet Bánh Mì Recipe.“

Pauline Nguyen, cookbook author and owner of the Sidney’s top Vietnamese restaurant Red Lantern, expressed: “Let’s face it, the traditional French baguette with jambon, a bit of fromage, and possibly some cornichon, doesn’t quite compare.” , “You have a beautiful balance of the sweet and piquant of pickled vegetable, the heat of chilies, and richness of the pâté and mayonnaise, along with the unctuousness of the pork terrine, the aromas of the coriander and spring onion, and of course the texture of crisp baguette.“

If you are a sandwich lover and planning to visit Da Nang – Hoi An, do not miss the chance to uncover the truth of Bánh Mì Phượng. Located at 2B, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Bánh Mì Phượng is selling “The world’s best sandwich” (quoted by world-class chef Anthony Bourdain). There are so many options for you to choose on: pâté, omellete, ham, grilled-pork, barbecue, chicken, tuna, etc. for meaty part and a lot of veggies adding texture and freshness such as papaya, carrot, cucumber, etc. Of course, the roll isn’t complete without the magic dressing that is cheese and some Vietnamese sauces. All coming in around 25.000 VND (a little over $1)

Or you can stop at any stall you see in your way for a taste of authentic Vietnamese sandwich. It must be a moment of rapture biting into a well stacked one.