An Asian Sandwich with a French Twist
A sandwich is the perfect way to enjoy a simple, yet filling meal. If your taste buds are tired of traditional fare, it’s time to explore sandwiches from other cultures.
A modern Vietnamese bahn mi (pronounced BUN-mee) sandwich is a delicious melding of meat, Asian spices and other ingredients encased in a French baguette. It was introduced by the French to the people of Saigon in 1976.
Originally, the bahn mi consisted of buttered baguettes (which locals called banh tay—literally, “foreign cake”) and ham or pâté. As time went on, the sandwich took on a decidedly Asian flare. The Vietnamese version of the bahn mi sandwich came to include a variety of meats, including sardines, shredded chicken, grilled pork patties, barbequed meatballs, fried eggs and bean curd.
The banh mi, along with its unique variations, migrated to America along with Vietnamese families who fled the country in the 1960s and 1970s, during the war. They further enhanced the traditional bahn mi with ingredients found in their new home.
Today, a variety of bahn mi sandwiches are available, from barbequed pork to vegetarian tofu versions topped with marinated vegetables, spicy chili sauce, soy sauce or mayonnaise, encased in a warm baguette or a flour tortilla. If a Vietnamese bahn mi sandwich isn’t sold in your area, you can make them at home using this wonderful recipe.
