Surpassing many renowned dishes, Vietnam's Vietnamese bread/bánh mì thịt (meat-filled baguette) has claimed the number one spot on the list of the world's top 100 sandwiches and bread-based dishes. This ranking was determined by readers of TasteAtlas, a website often referred to as the "world food atlas."
Taste Atlas noted that Vietnamese bread/bánh mì thịt is extremely popular in Vietnam. It was introduced during the colonial period and adapted from the French baguette, infused with distinctly Vietnamese flavors. Today, Vietnamese bread/bánh mì is sold throughout the country, from bustling cities to rural areas, and enjoyed from morning until late at night. This dish is highly favored by tourists.
The filling of a Vietnamese bread/bánh mì typically includes various types of pork, prepared in different ways, with variations such as sardine Vietnamese bread/bánh mì and fish cake Vietnamese bread/bánh mì. The meat is placed inside the baguette along with fresh herbs like cilantro, scallions, chilies, and pickled vegetables, reflecting Vietnamese tastes and culinary traditions. The "legacy" of the French can still be seen in the ingredients used in Vietnamese bread/bánh mì today, such as pâté, ham, and butter.
Vietnamese bread/bánh mì has garnered praise from numerous top global newspapers. For instance, CNN recently included Vietnamese bread/bánh mì thịt on its list of the 24 best sandwiches in the world. Earlier, CNN also ranked Vietnamese bread/bánh mì thịt among the top 50 best street foods globally.
France's prestigious daily newspaper Le Monde has also lavished praise on Vietnamese bread/bánh mì, describing it as "simple, balanced, inexpensive, but above all, incredibly delicious. This is a dish that makes you want to take a bite as soon as you see it... Along with doner kebab and sandwiches, Vietnamese bread/bánh mì is considered a new symbol of world cuisine."
Alongside pho, "banh mi" was added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2011, becoming a proper noun that refers to a distinctive Vietnamese dish.
Some different types of Vietname Bread/Bánh Mì:
Vietnamese bread, or bánh mì, comes in many delightful variations beyond the traditional small baguette with fillings. Each version showcases the rich diversity of Vietnamese cuisine, offering unique twists that keep the experience fresh and exciting. Whether served in a pan, with a simple pâté, or featuring more adventurous ingredients, bánh mì always provides a new and delicious discovery.
Frypan Bread
Bánh mì chảo, translated to frypan bread, is a truly unique version of the traditional Vietnamese bread. Instead of the fillings being placed inside the bread, they are served in a sizzling pan. You’ll find an assortment of delicious ingredients like pâté, eggs, sausage, fish cake, and cheese, to name just a few. Each place that serves bánh mì chảo offers its own creative twist on the fillings, making every experience unique. With so many variations, you’ll never get bored of this delightful dish!
Spicy Bread
Bánh mì cay, also known as bánh mì que, is a simple yet irresistible treat. It features a filling of Hải Phòng-style pâté that leaves you craving more after just one bite. The outside is crispy and piping hot, while the inside is rich and flavorful with the creamy pâté. Just hearing about it makes you want to indulge right away!
Bread with Offal Stew
For many foreign tourists, eating animal offal might be unfamiliar, but for the culinary adventurers in Saigon, bread with offal stew is addictive. This sandwich features chewy, crispy pork stomach and the rich, fatty flavor of sugarcane leaves, along with various other intriguing and delicious parts. It's a unique and incredibly tasty experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Pressed Bread
Pressed bread features familiar Vietnamese bread fillings like chả lụa, ham, and pork floss, accompanied by cilantro and pickled vegetables. However, what makes this sandwich special is the preparation method. The bread is pressed and grilled, resulting in an incredibly crispy texture that makes it irresistibly delicious.
Overall, Vietnamese Bread - Bánh mì is a humble yet incredibly delicious and nutritious breakfast option. It's no surprise that it ranks among the top street foods in the world. As proud Vietnamese, have you tried all the different varieties of bánh mì listed below? This iconic sandwich not only represents our culinary heritage but also showcases the diversity and creativity of Vietnamese street food.
