What Is Banh Mi?

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that perfectly embodies the fusion of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions. Built on a light, crispy baguette (a legacy of French colonialism), it's filled with savory proteins, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and spicy condiments.

The name "banh mi" literally means "bread" in Vietnamese, but around the world, it refers to this iconic sandwich.

The History of Banh Mi

When the French colonized Vietnam in the mid-19th century, they brought baguettes with them. Vietnamese bakers adapted the recipe using rice flour blended with wheat flour, creating a lighter, crispier bread with an airy interior.

After the end of French rule, Vietnamese cooks transformed the simple bread into a full sandwich, combining Western and Eastern ingredients into something entirely new.

Anatomy of the Perfect Banh Mi

The Bread

A great banh mi starts with great bread — thin, shattering crust with a cotton-soft interior. The baguette should be roughly 8-10 inches long and light enough that it doesn't overpower the fillings.

The Protein

Thit Nguoi — Vietnamese cold cuts (the classic combination)
Thit Nuong — Grilled pork
Ga Nuong — Grilled chicken
Xa Xiu — Char siu BBQ pork
Dau Hu — Tofu (vegetarian option)

The Pickled Vegetables (Do Chua)

Julienned daikon radish and carrots, pickled in rice vinegar and sugar. This provides the essential sweet-tart crunch.

The Fresh Elements

Cilantro (lots of it)
Sliced jalapeños
Cucumber slices

The Sauces

Mayonnaise (or butter)
Pate (the French influence)
Maggi seasoning sauce

How Vietnoms Makes Banh Mi

At Vietnoms, our banh mi uses bread baked fresh daily with our custom rice-wheat flour blend. We marinate our grilled pork for 24 hours and make our pickled vegetables in-house every morning.

Try our banh mi — one bite and you'll see why it's a fan favorite!

Craving a banh mi? Order online for pickup or visit us in San Jose.

The Complete Guide to Banh Mi