How to Enjoy Bánh Mì: A Guide to Customizing Vietnam’s Iconic Sandwich
The Vietnamese-style sandwich “bánh mì” has become incredibly popular in Japan, especially in Tokyo. This beloved dish features a crispy baguette filled with ingredients like grilled pork, liver pâté, and various vegetables. This time, we visited “Chopsticks,” a Vietnamese street food specialty shop in Koenji, Tokyo, to learn how to enjoy bánh mì the authentic Vietnamese way!
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【Advised by】Chopsticks
Table of Contents
Discovering Bánh Mì
The Vietnamese-style sandwich known as “bánh mì” typically includes pork, chicken, omelet, vegetables, and chili sauce. At “Chopsticks,” the basic ingredients are cucumber, cilantro (coriander), pickled vegetables, butter, and chili sauce. You can then choose your preferred fillings such as omelet, liver pâté, Vietnamese grilled pork (thịt nướng), or Vietnamese ham. The price varies depending on the number of ingredients you choose.
In Vietnam, bánh mì is often sold at street stalls. Vendors are known to customize the sandwich quite a bit according to the customer’s request. This time, I chose the basic ingredients along with omelet, liver pâté, and Vietnamese grilled pork. What arrived was a seriously hefty sandwich!
Customizing Your Order
Following local Vietnamese practices, Chopsticks is quite flexible with individual orders. For example, you can ask for extra cilantro (additional charge), no pickled vegetables, extra chili sauce, and so on. The key to enjoying bánh mì is to customize it exactly how you like it.
Ask to Have It Cut in Half
Now, let’s eat. Bánh mì sold in Japan tends to be quite large. While it might be fine for guys, it can be a bit too much for some women to finish. In such cases, ask the staff to cut it in half for you.
Doing so helps keep the ingredients in place and makes it easier to eat. Also, if you can’t finish it, you can take the other half home neatly. Pretty smart idea.
Take the First Bite as It Is
Since it’s a simple sandwich, just dive right in. Be a little mindful of your surroundings, but don’t hesitate to take a big bite.
If it’s hard to fit in your mouth, it’s okay to gently press it down. The umami of the chili sauce and liver pâté soaks into the baguette, making it just right.
Add Extra Cilantro If You Like
At Chopsticks, you can also ask for a large helping of cilantro (for an additional charge). If you want to amp up the ethnic vibe, give it a try.
How was the guide to enjoying bánh mì? The key takeaway is to freely customize your order to your preference. Also, asking to have it cut in half is a small but important trick that enhances grip and prevents the fillings from falling apart.
Don’t hesitate to enjoy your bánh mì just the way you like it!
A Vietnamese street food specialty restaurant famous for its fresh pho noodles made with Japanese rice. While preserving the authentic flavors of Vietnam, the restaurant also offers original Vietnamese dishes with a unique Tokyo twist. Special thanks to Chopsticks Koenji Main Store for their cooperation in this shoot.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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