Vietnamese sandwiches, known as bánh mì in Vietnamese, are an iconic part of Vietnamese cuisine enjoyed around the world. These sandwiches are made with a light and crispy Vietnamese baguette, filled with various meats, pâté, pickled vegetables, herbs, and other tasty ingredients. The fusion of French and Vietnamese ingredients creates a mouthwatering sandwich that is both refreshing and filling.
If you love Vietnamese food, you must try these 8 essential Vietnamese sandwiches when you get a chance. Keep reading to discover where to find the best banh mi near you! Let’s see with 2 vietnam
1. Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng – Grilled Pork Banh Mi
This classic Vietnamese sandwich contains lean slices of grilled pork that have been marinated in fish sauce, garlic, pepper, and other spices. The pork is perfectly caramelized and full of smoky, savory flavor. In addition to the pork, a traditional bánh mì thịt nướng includes pâté, mayonnaise, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber slices, cilantro, and sliced chilies to give you layers of flavor and texture in each bite.
You can find excellent grilled pork banh mi at Banh Mi Ba Le in Houston or Bánh Mì Bottles in San Jose. Try it with a Vietnamese iced coffee on the side!
2. Bánh Mì Gà Nướng – Grilled Chicken Banh Mi
Similar to the grilled pork version, bánh mì gà nướng swaps the pork for marinated and grilled chicken thighs. The chicken boasts a lovely charred exterior while the inside stays nice and juicy. The other classic banh mi fillings pair perfectly with the savory chicken.
For standout grilled chicken banh mi sandwiches, check out Banh Mi Boys in Toronto or Saigon Sandwich in New York. This sandwich makes for a lighter and healthier lunch option than the pork version.
3. Bánh Mì Xíu Mại – Vietnamese Meatball Banh Mi
A beloved Vietnamese street food, xíu mại meatballs made from pork are fried up nice and crispy on the outside. They get tucked into the baguette along with the usual banh mi toppings like cucumber, cilantro, chili peppers, and pickled carrot and daikon radish.
Xiu Mai Tieu Banh Mi in Seattle uses family recipes to make traditional xíu mại meatballs to order. The meatballs go so nicely with the freshness of the other fillings. Dip your sandwich in the provided nuoc cham fish sauce for extra flavor!
4. Bánh Mì Chả Lụa – Vietnamese Pork Roll Banh Mi
Chả lụa is a type of Vietnamese pork sausage that gets steamed then sliced and pan-fried until the outside gets crispy. It has a much finer texture than xíu mại meatballs. Chả lụa gets layered into banh mi along with cucumber, herbs, chili, daikon, and carrot pickles.
Try the chả lụa banh mi from Banh Mi Saigon Bakery in San Jose. The rolls are housemade and taste incredible with the baguette.
5. Bánh Mì Bò Nướng – Grilled Beef Banh Mi
Thin slices of grilled and marinated beef are another excellent banh mi protein. The tender beef pairs wonderfully with the sweet and tangy pickled vegetables. Many places will use lemongrass and five-spice powders to add lots of flavor to the beef.
For one of the best-grilled beef banh mi sandwiches, go to Nhu Lan Bakery in San Francisco. Their marinated sirloin steak soaks up all the delicious flavors and juices. It all comes together perfectly in the crispy baguette with the pickled carrot daikon and fresh cilantro.
6. Bánh Mì Chả Cá – Fish Cake Banh Mi
These Vietnamese fish cakes are made of fresh fish, combined with herbs, rice flour, and tapioca starch. Chả cá gets sliced and fried until crispy then layered into baguettes. The fish cakes go amazingly well with the pickled carrot daikon.
For some of the best cha ca banh mi, check out Saigon Sandwich in New York. Their combo fish cake banh mi comes with both cha ca and cha lua pork rolls for next-level flavors.
7. Bánh Mì Chả Giò – Crispy Egg Roll Banh Mi
What could be better than a crispy, savory Vietnamese egg roll inside your sandwich? Chả giò banh mi features lightly fried pork and vegetable egg rolls along with cucumber, cilantro, and daikon carrot. The contrast of the crunchy egg roll with the soft bread makes each bite so satisfying.
Grab a cha gio banh mi from Nha Trang One in Chicago. Their egg rolls are freshly made in-house and taste amazing with the pickled veggies and pâté schmeared baguette. Definitely an innovative, must-try banh mi!
8. Bánh Mì Phở – Pho Banh Mi
Last but not least, no Vietnamese sandwich list would be complete without banh mi pho! Tender beef pho fills the baguette along with some noodles, bean sprouts, basil, sliced jalapeños, and a drizzle of hoisin-sriracha sauce. It’s like all the flavors of pho in sandwich form.
Pho Banh Mi from Les Givral’s in Los Angeles offers a fabulous take on banh mi pho. The pho is made from scratch and tastes so comforting and delicious between the crisp French bread.
Conclusion
Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches tantalize your tastebuds with the fusion of French and Vietnamese cultures and ingredients. From grilled meats to eggrolls to pho, there are so many amazing varieties to try. No matter what type of filling you prefer, banh mi always delivers flavors that are sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, and fresh all at once.
Whenever you are seeking a quick, satisfying bite, look for a top-rated banh mi shop near you. Or try making your own banh mi at home with some crusty baguettes from a Vietnamese bakery, pickled carrot daikon, cilantro, and your proteins of choice. However you craft it, banh mi always makes for a stellar sandwich experience.
