Banh Mi: The Iconic Dish of Vietnam --
A Guide to its History, Flavour and Unique Ingredients
Hello Friends,
Banh mi, pronounced “bahn mee” and also known as a Vietnamese sandwich, is a staple food in Vietnam. It is the local version of the French baguette with a Vietnamese twist.
The ingredients of banh mi include a soft baguette, mayonnaise, mustard, cilantro, and sliced pickled radish, cucumber, and carrot. These are followed by chicken or pork slices with shredded lettuce, coriander leaves, and green onion as well as some red chili pepper for heat and sweetness from sugar. Finally, all these are topped with chopped garlic cloves and gingered oil. With so many ingredients packed into this small piece of bread, it is not surprising that banh mi is often called “the perfect convenience food”.
Needless to say, I often eat this delicious treat.
- Mine was the one with a bit of green poping out.
History of Banh Mi
Banh mi is a true Asian fusion dish influenced by French colonial rule in Vietnam. The name “banh mi” is a combination of “banh” (Vietnamese word for “bread”) and “mi” (Vietnamese word for “sandwich”). The original banh mi was not a sandwich but a type of French bread with a dash of Vietnamese flavors.
The banh mi sandwich we know today was invented after the French left Vietnam following the end of their colonial rule in 1954. This was a time of significant change and growth in the region. The Vietnamese had to quickly get used to growing their crops, as the French had previously controlled the commercial cultivation of crops such as peanuts, paddy, and cassava. These crops are now used to make the typical banh mi ingredients such as peanuts, paddy, and cassava.
Ingredients of Banh Mi
The ingredients of banh mi are varied and distinctive. While a few of these, such as the baguette, are familiar to most sandwiches, others, like pickled radish, cilantro and coriander leaves, and gingered oil, are not found in other sandwiches.
Banh mi is often served with a side of pickled vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers. Baguette - Soft, crusty baguettes are the foundation of banh mi.
These are often made with a higher proportion of dough than the crust, which makes them light and fluffy inside and crispy outside. Pork or Chicken - These are the most common fillings for banh mi. They are marinated in a mix of Asian spices, such as garlic, coriander, and turmeric, for flavor and color.
Pickled vegetables - Carrots and cucumbers are pickled in a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices such as cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, and coriander. Crispy Herbs - Pickled radish, cilantro, and coriander leaves are chopped and added to provide a crispy and refreshing crunch.
Accompaniments - Banh mi often comes served with a side of pickled vegetables and a sweet chili sauce.
How is a Vietnamese sandwich made?
SUPER SIMPLE!
There's nothing like a banh mi from a street vendor in Vietnam. But to make a proper banh mi, you have to be an old Vietnamese woman and have questionable health standards (JK). The bread has to be crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and the fillings have to be fresh and flavorful. The best banh mi are made with love, and that's something you can't find at your local sandwich shop.
To make a traditional Vietnamese sandwich, first, take a piece of bread and place it on a cutting board. Take out a few slices of meat and some cilantro and coriander leaves. Take the meat and place it on the bread. Now put the herbs, pickled vegetables, and other ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, cucumber, and carrots inside. Close the bread from the top and slice it to make it easy to eat.
Unique Flavours of Banh Mi
The different ingredients used to make banh mi combine to create a unique and flavourful sandwich. The bread is slightly sweet and, has a crispy crust, and is soft fluffy inside.
The pork marinade is savory, with a hint of sweetness from the sugar and gingered oil. The crisp and refreshing pickled vegetables balance the richness of the meat and the mayonnaise.
Fresh herbs like cilantro and coriander leaves provide a flavourful burst of herbs and freshness to the palate. Cassava - Cassava is a sweet, starchy root that is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia. It is usually eaten roasted and peeled and makes an excellent snack.
Peanuts - Peanuts, native to South America, are widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam. Peanuts are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and health-promoting phytochemicals. They are most often eaten roasted or boiled and are a key ingredient in many South-East Asian dishes.
For myself, I get the banh mi "Opla" or egg, as I don't eat meat. :/
Why Banh Mi at Midnight is perfect!
Banh mi at midnight is the perfect way to end the day! It's a delicious, filling meal that will leave you satisfied and content. The flavors are bold and savory, and the textures are perfect. The crusty baguette is the perfect vessel for the juicy, flavorful filling. The pickled vegetables add the perfect amount of acidity and crunch. The cilantro and jalapeño give the sandwich a bright, fresh flavor. And the sriracha adds just the right amount of heat.
Plus, it's a great way to soak up any leftover alcohol from a night out. So next time you're looking for a late-night snack, remember that banh mi is the perfect way to end your day!
Conclusion
Banh mi is an authentic Asian fusion dish. It combines French bread with Vietnamese flavor and ingredients like herbs, meat, and pickled vegetables. It is a staple food in Vietnam and a popular midnight snack. It is easy to make, delicious and great for comfort food during late hours.
OH, also, all the photo in this article I took while waiting for the Banh Mi to be made that I had last ngith. YUMMMMM...
- I go to this lady often, is 17,000 VND (0.70$ USD) for a Banh Mi Opla
- This is the corner she rocks out on until perhaps 2 am? IDK.. she is up late.
Hey, thanks for reading. Hope your day is great!
Reading your post made me hungry. 😅
@jacksonizer Hahahaha, Thanks bro. It makes me Hungry as well.. here have some !PIZZA to tide you over till you make it Vietnam to enjoy some! :D
Thanks Tim!
I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
@jacuzzi(2/15) tipped @jacksonizer (x1)
Learn more at https://hive.pizza.
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I tried it once in one of local Vietanmese resto in Palawan and it was so delicious and spicy. I havent been to Vietnam but it is one on my list and banmi is sure one in my itinerary.