Bánh mi, the general Vietnamese term for French style baguette sandwiches, are found on literally every street corner in Vietnam. The baguette, introduced by the French during its colonial period has become a staple of the national diet, combined with Vietnamese flavours it comes together as one of the best street foods snacks you can get your greasy little mitts on. And costing as little as 5000 Dong (about 15p) a pop, your greasy little mitts, if anything like my greasy little mitts, will find their way to quite a few.
The most common bánh mi sandwich and the one most similar to those found in the West is the bánh mì đặc biệt. The contents vary slightly from stall to stall but basically it comes rammed with various pork based meaty treats consisting of steamed pork, roasted pork, pork liver pâté and something delectably known as 'head cheese', which looks as delightful as it sounds. On top of the meat goes a whole bunch of veggies, most notably pickled carrot and radishes as well as sliced cucumber, coriander, fresh chillies and finished off with a variety of hot and sweet sauces. The various cuts of pork each bring something different to the table. The roasted pork offers a rich flavour and a sweet caramelised edge, while the pâté brings a lovely smoothness complimenting the crunchy bread and veggies, and the hot sauce, which often turns out to be very hot sauce, brings the fire to the equation. All in all its a veritable taste sensation, a party in your mouth, a carnival for your canines, basically it's a flipping banger of a sandwich.
Like all street food in Vietnam as well as being super cheap and super delicious half the fun is in the eating on the street, sitting on a tiny little plastic chair with a bunch of locals watching the insane traffic go by, trying to work out how you can fit an entire family of four, a pig, four chickens and a wardrobe onto a single motorbike.
So next time you're in Vietnam, why not pop down to your local street corner and munch down on a straight up belter of a sandwich. If you're in London go to Panda Panda in Deptford or Keu! in shoreditch. They might cost more than 15p.
