Make Vietnamese banh mi sandwich in 4 simple steps
The banh mi sandwich is a quintessential Vietnamese street food that has won hearts globally. Originating from the French colonial period in Vietnam, this sandwich beautifully marries local Vietnamese flavors with French elements, particularly the baguette. Traditionally featuring a variety of meats, our guide focuses on a vegetarian and eggless version, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful fusion. Let's get cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
For this vegetarian banh mi, you'll need one large baguette, two tablespoons soy sauce, one tablespoon sesame oil, one cup each of thinly sliced cucumber and pickled carrots and daikon radish, half a cup of jalapenos (optional), fresh cilantro, and tofu or tempeh. For the marinade, get two tablespoons soy sauce, one tablespoon maple syrup or sugar, one teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of black pepper.
Prepare your protein
Begin by pressing your tofu or tempeh to remove excess moisture—this helps it absorb the marinade better. Slice it into thin strips. Whisk together two tablespoons of soy sauce, maple syrup (or sugar), garlic powder, and black pepper for the marinade. Marinate your tofu or tempeh strips in this mixture for at least 30 minutes to infuse them with flavor.
Pickle your vegetables
If you're making your own pickled carrots and daikon radish: Slice them thinly and place them in a jar with equal parts water and vinegar (white or apple cider works well), plus a tablespoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Let these sit for at least one hour before using; overnight is best for deeper flavor development.
Assemble your sandwich
Slice open your baguette lengthwise without cutting all the way through; think of it as creating a pocket. Spread each side lightly with sesame oil for an added layer of flavor. Layer in your marinated tofu/tempeh strips followed by slices of cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon radish mixtures; add jalapenos here if you like it spicy.
Add final touches
Finish by adding fresh cilantro leaves to introduce a refreshing balance. If desired, an extra drizzle of soy sauce can add more depth or moisture. Your vegetarian banh mi is now ready to be savored! This guide ensures that even those on vegetarian diets can enjoy the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine with this iconic, eggless yet full-flavored sandwich.
