Vietnamese Bánh Mì (Sandwich)

  • Total time - 45 minutes
  • Preparation - 30 minutes
  • Cooking and assembly - 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Vietnam
A generously filled Vietnamese Bánh Mì sandwich, with grilled meat, pickled vegetables, and herbs, served on a paper tray.

Bánh Mì is more than just a sandwich. It's a dish that tells the story of Vietnam and its colonial history. It is a masterpiece that combines simple ingredients into a complex and satisfying experience. Prepare it at home to discover why it has become one of the most beloved foods in the world.

Ingredients

For the Pickled Vegetables (Đồ Chua)

  • 1 cup carrots, shredded into thin strips
  • 1 cup daikon radish, shredded into thin strips
  • 1 cup water
  • 0.5 cup rice vinegar
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Sandwich (for 4 servings)

  • 4 fresh French-style baguettes
  • Vietnamese pork pâté (optional)
  • mayonnaise
  • Maggi seasoning sauce
  • 400 g thinly sliced grilled pork (or Vietnamese ham, grilled chicken)
  • 1 fresh cucumber, thinly sliced
  • fresh cilantro sprigs, a bunch
  • chili peppers, thinly sliced (jalapeño or red chili)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pickled vegetables

In a bowl, combine water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the shredded carrots and daikon. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the meat filling

If using grilled pork, marinate the pork slices in a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, minced shallots, and garlic. Grill or pan-fry until cooked through and slightly charred. If using pâté or ham, simply slice them.

Step 3: Prepare the baguettes and assemble

Preheat the oven or a toaster oven and heat the baguettes for a few minutes to make them warm and crispy. Slice them lengthwise, but not all the way through.

Step 4: Assemble the Bánh Mì

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the inside of both baguette halves. On the bottom half, spread a layer of pâté if using. Add the meat filling.

Step 5: Add vegetables and herbs

Top the meat with the drained pickled vegetables, fresh cucumber slices, and chili slices. Finally, add a generous amount of fresh cilantro sprigs. Drizzle with a few dashes of Maggi seasoning sauce.

Step 6: Serve

Close the sandwich and serve immediately while the baguette is still warm and crispy.