Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich

What is a banh mi Vietnamese sandwich you ask?  I wondered the same thing.  In short, it’s one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have.  And so many varieties.  What distinguishes a banh mi is the crusty roll and pickled vegetable toppings.  Otherwise everything goes.

Basically, a banh mi sandwich is the Vietnamese version of the American Hoagie or Sub.  OK, that’s me bringing that analogy, but it’s pretty spot on.  In addition to the pickled veggies, banh mi sandwiches traditionally are spread with pate. 

The pate and the bread are the French influence. The bold pickled vegetables and meat marinades are the Southeast Asia influence.

The inspiration for this recipe is from an Atlanta food truck called Six Pack Subs.  I know, the name doesn’t make much sense until you realize they are advertising Vietnamese subs.  I love their menu, in particular their Rib Eye banh mi sandwich.

What Is A Banh Mi Sandwich?

This Vietnamese sandwich uses bread with a crispy crust and soft interior, spread with mayonnaise and traditionally with pate, meat like pork or ribeye, cucumbers and cilantro.  The real differentiator are the pickled vegetables that top it.

Traditionally the pickled vegetables are carrots and daikon radish.  I use our Quick Pickled Vegetables Recipe that incorporates carrots, onion, jalapeno and cucumbers.

Banh mi sandwich is a Vietnamese street food with French influences.  Primarily the bread and pate.

If you have a Publix near you, their sub rolls are perfect for these Vietnamese sandwiches.  Ciabatta works well too.

I Thought Banh Mi Sandwiches Always Had Pate

I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually have pate sitting around my house and I’m not sure if my grocery store even sells it.

A good substitute is deli counter braunswieger mixed with cream cheese.

How To Make A Banh Mi Sandwich

Season steak with salt and pepper, grill over medium heat for about 4 minutes per side for medium rare.  Let rest for 10 minutes then slice as thin as possible.

Cut roll lengthwise.  You can spread with a thin layer of mayonnaise and brown in a dry skillet or use the bread straight out of its package.

Make sauce by combining mayonnaise with sriracha hot sauce. If you have diners that don’t care for any heat leave the sriracha out, but really, if you keep it to a small amount the sriracha adds a nice touch without overwhelming.

Then spread a thick layer of the sauce on both sides.  Place a few thin pieces of meat on the roll and top with pickled vegetables and chopped cilantro.  You can buy pickled vegetables near the pickles in your grocery or you can make your own, here’s our recipe for pickled vegetables and pickled red onions.

Substitute Ingredients

Ribeye Steak – you can use any steak you like. Or for that matter, any protein like chicken or pork.

Pickled Vegetables – use our homemade recipe or buy a jar at the grocery store. You can use any variety that you like. My favorite is our recipe that has onions, jalapenos, carrots and cucumbers.

Sub Rolls – use your favorite bread that can hold up to a little juice from the pickled vegetables. Ciabatta is a good substitute.

What To Serve With Banh Mi Sandwiches

Fresh fruit.

Your favorite chips.

Green Salad, try our Olive Garden Salad.

Cole Slaw, try our creamy Chick-fil-A Cole Slaw recipe or our Vinegar Cole Slaw.

Baked Beans.

Potato Salad.

Any side that you think goes with a hamburger or sandwich is perfect with a banh mi sandwich.

How To Take The Vietnamese Sandwich On-The-Go

Wrap the sandwich in parchment or wax paper.  If eating within a couple of hours you can completely dress the sandwich and keep at room temperature.  See our post How To Wrap A Sandwich for the coolest way to pack sandwiches.

If you will be longer than 2 hours then depending on the protein you have chosen, you should probably keep the banh mi in the refrigerator or a cooler.  I would also pack the pickled vegetables separately so that the bread doesn’t get soggy.