{"id":839,"date":"2023-01-30T16:25:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T09:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/?p=839"},"modified":"2023-08-17T16:38:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T09:38:53","slug":"breaking-down-the-banh-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/breaking-down-the-banh-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Down the Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As a traveller in Vietnam, Banh Mi is one of the safer street foods you can enjoy (take a look at our previous blog post for more tips on <a title=\"How to avoid getting sick while eating and traveling in Vietnam\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/2013\/03\/16\/how-to-avoid-getting-sick-while-eating-and-traveling-in-vietnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">food safety<\/a>).\u00a0 Most of the fillings are cooked, cured or pickled and there is no water involved.\u00a0 Banh Mi, which is the name for both the bread and the sandwich, is also the quintessential fusion Vietnamese dish &#8211; the ingredients have roots in old Vietnam, French colonial Vietnam, and New World cuisine. \u00a0Banh Mi is the perfect street food when you are\u00a0<a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/vietnam-itinerary-how-long-to-stay-in-ho-chi-minh-city-hanoi-hoi-an-halong-nha-trang\/\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">visiting Vietnam<\/a>. We encourage you to try this sandwich concoction in Vietnam, at least once. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_842\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-842\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-842 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-sandwich.jpg\" alt=\"banh mi,sandwich, vietnamese\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-sandwich.jpg 800w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-sandwich-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-sandwich-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-sandwich-400x266.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-842\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The infamous banh mi sandwich<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That being said, many people find the Banh Mi a little daunting because the fillings and condiments are often things that foreigners can&#8217;t find in the food truck back home.\u00a0 Vietnam is definitely a land of exotic foods and Banh Mi fillings are no different, but we want to explain all of the intricacies of the sandwich so that you know exactly what you\u2019re ordering!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/breaking-down-the-banh-mi\/#Its_All_About_the_Bread\" >It\u2019s All About the Bread<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/breaking-down-the-banh-mi\/#The_main_ingredient_list_at_the_Banh_Mi_cart\" >The main ingredient list at the Banh Mi cart:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/breaking-down-the-banh-mi\/#The_Filler_for_Banh_Mi\" >The Filler for Banh Mi<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Its_All_About_the_Bread\"><\/span><b>It\u2019s All About the Bread<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_844\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-844\" style=\"width: 655px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-844 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-bread.jpg\" alt=\"Banh mi Bread\" width=\"655\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-bread.jpg 655w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-bread-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-bread-150x114.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/banh-mi-bread-400x305.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-844\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Banh mi Bread<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although they call it a baguette, it\u2019s not your traditional French baguette.\u00a0 The Vietnamese baguette is a combination of French baking and Asian baking.\u00a0 The bread is baked using the classic technique, making the baguette crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.\u00a0 To throw in a bit of Asian flair, the Banh Mi bread is made with half wheat and half rice flour to give it that light and airy feel.\u00a0 The bread is really the vessel that brings all the flavours of this sandwich together so make sure you notice and appreciate the bread when you bite into your Banh Mi!<\/p>\n<p><b>What\u2019s In It?<\/b><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_855\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-855\" style=\"width: 567px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-855 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/banh-mi-fillings.jpg\" alt=\"all the fillings in Banh Mi\" width=\"567\" height=\"422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/banh-mi-fillings.jpg 567w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/banh-mi-fillings-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/banh-mi-fillings-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/banh-mi-fillings-400x297.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-855\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A guide to recognizing all the fillings in Banh Mi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_main_ingredient_list_at_the_Banh_Mi_cart\"><\/span>The main ingredient list at the Banh Mi cart:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Cha<\/em> or <em>Cha Lua<\/em> (Pork Roll)<\/strong> &#8211; Ground pork is rolled and packed into a banana leaf and then steamed or boiled.\u00a0 The roll is then sliced before adding to the sandwich.\u00a0 This is probably one of the most common Banh Mi fillings.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Thit Nguoi<\/em> (Cured Cold Cuts)<\/strong> &#8211; The literal translation is \u2018cold meat\u2019 and that\u2019s exactly what it is.\u00a0 This is a composition of cured pork and fat and cut into class cold cut-type slices.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Gio Thu<\/em> (Headcheese)<\/strong> &#8211; You may have noticed that pork is an extremely popular meat choice but this particular product might be very unfamiliar to you.\u00a0 Headcheese is a processed product made from tendons, pig ears, skin and other pork head products.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Thit Nuong<\/em> (Grilled Meat, usually Pork)<\/strong> &#8211; More pork!\u00a0 Marinated pork is grilled and sliced thin.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Xa Xiu<\/em> (BBQ Pork)<\/strong> &#8211; Small pieces of barbecued pork having a distinct coal smoke flavour.\u00a0 The particular cut of pork varies.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Bi<\/em> (Shredded Pork Skin)<\/strong> &#8211; This filling can be a bit dry because it\u2019s thinly sliced pork skin.\u00a0 This filling is usually combined with another product.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Xiu Mai<\/em> (Meatballs)<\/strong> &#8211; Once again, pork. \ud83d\ude42 These are spiced, ground pork meatballs and have a distinct tomato flavour.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Nem Nuong<\/em> (Pork Patties)<\/strong> &#8211; These are also ground pork, but shaped into a patty with infused garlic flavours.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Ga Nuong<\/em> (Grilled Chicken)<\/strong> &#8211; For those who are not a fan of pork, don\u2019t worry &#8211; there are other options!\u00a0 This is marinated and grilled chicken, usually chicken thigh.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Ca Moi<\/em> (Packed Sardines)<\/strong> &#8211; You may notice little red coloured cans at your nearest Banh Mi stand.\u00a0 These are packed sardines in a tomato sauce.\u00a0 They make for a great sandwich filling but they are definitely just out of the can.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Pate<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; Pate is extremely popular as a Banh Mi filling and is often combined with other fillings.\u00a0 It can be made from pork, duck or chicken liver.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Trung Chien<\/em> or <em>Op La<\/em> (Fried Eggs)<\/strong> &#8211; You will see eggs at a Banh Mi stand quite often.\u00a0 Banh Mi Op La is an extremely popular breakfast snack in Vietnam.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Filler_for_Banh_Mi\"><\/span><b>The Filler for Banh Mi<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A sandwich isn\u2019t a sandwich without the little something extra that <em>makes all the <\/em>flavours<em> pop!<\/em>\u00a0 Here is a list of classic Banh Mi condiments &#8211;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Pate<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; Yes, pate is also used as a condiment to moisten the sandwich.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>\u2018Mayo\u2019<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; We put mayo in quotation marks because this isn\u2019t Hellmann\u2019s Mayo out of a jar (although sometimes it is, which is unfortunate).\u00a0 Traditionally, the mayo used in Banh Mi is actually cut with butter to add that melty feel and nutty flavour.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Fresh Herbs<\/em> <\/strong>&#8211; Most often, it is sprigs of cilantro but other herbs are common as well.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Pickled Vegetables<\/em> <\/strong>&#8211; Finely shredded or julienned daikon and\/or carrots are pickled in a vinegar concoction and add the perfect amount of sour punch to brighten the flavours of the sandwich.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Chillies<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; The slices of chillies may be thin but they are quite spicy here!<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Cucumber<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; Self-explanatory. \ud83d\ude42<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Soy Sauce<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; a little dash of it, although some drier fillings like pork skin require a bit more.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for more if you think it needs it!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Bon Appetit!<\/p>\n<p>We hope you enjoyed this tip on Vietnamese food! \u00a0To learn more about how you can enjoy Vietnamese delicacies with XO Tours, check out our <a title=\"Foodie Tour\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/tours\/vietnam-food-tour.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">Foodie Tour<\/a>!<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a traveller in Vietnam, Banh Mi is one of the safer street foods you can enjoy (take a look at our previous blog post for more tips on food safety).\u00a0 Most of the fillings are cooked, cured or pickled and there is no water involved.\u00a0 Banh Mi, which is the name for both the [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":842,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Breaking Down the Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich)","_seopress_titles_desc":"Check out our simple guide to understanding all the filling and condiments in the iconic fusion Vietnamese food, the Banh Mi (or Vietnamese Sandwich)","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43,84],"tags":[139,140,141],"class_list":{"0":"post-839","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-all-about-food","8":"category-vietnamese-culture","9":"tag-banh-mi","10":"tag-banh-mi-fillings","11":"tag-food-safety"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=839"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7693,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/839\/revisions\/7693"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}