Bánh Mì
Vietnamese most iconic street food
The word bánh mì, meaning "bread", is attested in Vietnamese as early as
the 1830s. The French introduced Vietnam to the baguette, along with other
baked goods such as pâté chaud, in the 1860s, at the start of their
imperialism in Vietnam. A bánh mì typically consists of one or more meats,
accompanying vegetables, and condiments. Accompanying vegetables typically
include fresh cucumber slices, cilantro (leaves of the coriander plant)
and pickled carrots and white radishes in shredded form (đồ chua). Common
condiments include spicy chili sauce, sliced chilis, Maggi seasoning
sauce, and mayonnaise.
The most popular variety is bánh mì thịt, thịt meaning "meat". Bánh mì
thịt nguội (also known as bánh mì đặc biệt or "special combo") is made
with various Vietnamese cold cuts, such as sliced pork or pork belly, chả
lụa (pork sausage), and head cheese, along with the liver pâté and
vegetables like carrot or cucumbers.
Other varieties include:
- Bánh mì trứng ốp-la (fried egg sandwich)
- Bánh mì xá xíu or bánh mì thịt nướng (barbecue pork sandwich)
- Bánh mì gà nướng (grilled chicken sandwich)
- Bánh mì xíu mại (minced pork meatball sandwich)