Bánh mì – The delicious Vietnamese sandwich

Renowned as one of the world’s best street foods, Bánh mì is a mouthwatering Vietnamese sandwich that perfectly blends fresh, vibrant flavors and textures. This iconic sandwich features a crispy baguette filled with savory meats, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and bold seasonings.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy it: by following a few simple steps, you can easily prepare this flavorful and satisfying sandwich right at home.

Perfect for a quick lunch or a tasty snack, Bánh mì is sure to impress anyone who tries it!

Ingredients: (for 4 sandwiches)

For the pickles:

• a few carrots
• one or two kohlrabi
• vinegar (wine vinegar – do not use alcohol vinegar)
• sugar
• water

Depending on the number of sandwiches you plan to prepare, adjust the quantity of vegetables for pickling accordingly (we made extra because they’re delicious, can be stored in the fridge for about a month, and can be used later on other sandwiches or with different dishes).

Preparation:

It’s best to prepare the pickles a day in advance to allow them to marinate properly.

Peel the carrots and slice them into long strips. Similarly, peel the turnips, cut them into even slices, and then slice those into thin strips like the carrots.

Place the vegetables in a jar and pour in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, along with 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. Stir well, seal the jar, and let it sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

On the second day, we will prepare the meatballs using the following ingredients:

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 egg
• A stalk of green onion
• A small piece of ginger
• 1 or 2 chili peppers, depending on how spicy you like it
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon tandoori masala

Wash and finely chop the onion. Clean the pepper by removing the seeds, then finely chop it as well. Peel and grate the ginger finely. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly by hand.

Shape small meatballs by hand.

Heat a little olive oil in a non-stick pan and cook the meatballs, frying them on both sides.

For assembling the sandwiches, you will need:

• soy sauce
• small baguettes
• fresh cucumber, peeled and sliced into thin strips like the pickles
• fresh cilantro
• The pickles prepared the day before
• the cooked meatballs

Slice the baguettes halfway through, being careful not to cut all the way, then scoop out some of the inner bread to create space for the fillings. Generously drizzle soy sauce inside the baguette on both sides. Fill with meatballs, pickles, fresh cucumber strips, and a generous handful of fresh cilantro.

It’s incredibly tasty, and I highly recommend giving it a try.

For the most authentic flavor, I suggest using the exact ingredients listed.

If you prefer pork, you can easily swap the beef meatballs for pork ones instead.

If you try the recipe, let me know how you liked it! 😊

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