When asked about Vietnamese treat besides our already famous Phở or Bún Bò Huế, I immediately introduce my visiting friends to Vietnamese bread rolls. Sold on street all over Vietnam, these delicious rolls are gaining new fans overseas. In 2011, along with Phở, Bánh Mì (bread) was added to Oxford Dictionary as a representative of Vietnamese cuisine.
What makes a good Banh Mi?
The French introduced baggettes to Vietnam. Over time, local vendors created their own bread rolls, adding fillings that satisfied local taste buds. A good bread rolls should be crunchy from the outside and soft and moist on the inside. The rolls are stuffed with meats, fresh herbs and pickled carrots and cabbage. The recipes vary by region.
The bread is usually brushed with butter and some soft liver pate. The cooks then add slice ham or pork terrine, sometimes some scrambled egg, pickled cabbage, cucumbers and herbs to complement the meaty taste.
The rolls are then briefly heated in the oven and served warm with red hot chilli sauce. In saigon, “Cha xiu” pork is popular along with Maggi soy sauce. Hoi An has its own famous version stuffed with grilled pork and a sweet dense sauce that’s a secret recipe. Hue’s Banh My competes with other cities by their distinctive crunchy outside and amazing homemade egg-sauce. In Dalat, bread rolls are usually made with peppery shumai pork meatballs soaked in tomato sauce.
Wherever you travel in Vietnam, be sure to enjoy some crunchy bread rolls full of delicious and fresh local ingredients.
Great Banh Mi Throughout the Country
Hanoi – Banh My Lan Ong, 18 Cha Ca street, Hanoi, Vietnam
What makes this place popular among locals is there secret pate recipe which can turn you into an addict once you try it. Opening time: 5:00 – midnight. Price: 20,000 VND.
Hue – Banh Mi Dong Ba, 100 Chi Lang street, Hue, Vietnam.
This is a family-run business in the last 20 years in Hue City. Their home made egg sauce is phenomenal. Go for their Nem Banh Mi, it is a legend!
Opening time: 5:00 – 11:00 AM/ 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Price: 10,000 VND per Banh Mi.
Hoi An – Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam.
It is praised by Anthony Bourdain as best bagguette in the world! You know where to head to!
Opening time: All day. Price: 20,000 VND – 35,000 VND.
Ho Chi Minh – Banh Mi Nhu Lan, 50 Ham Nghi, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Nhu Lan bakery has been serving homemade banh mi, among other local specialties, from its busy Saigon downtown kitchen since 1968!
Opening time: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Price: 15,000 VND – 30,000 VND.
Bon appetite and hope to hear your comments or question for our next articles about Vietnam below.
