Banh Mi Fever

Oh, beautiful banh mi, how you dazzle with your vinegary burn and your cracking heat! The soft sinking sigh I breathe as the cold and hot intermingle and as my teeth break through the crust to the overflowing goodness inside — how I dream of you when you’re away and delight in the exhilarating expectation of each savory crumb when I’m with you!

A banh mi can make even the most rational of eaters break out in bad poetry when they think about one.

Twitter has been aflutter with banh mi rhapsodies and urgent inquiries recently, and the lovely Kendra Bailey Morris wrote glowingly and exhaustively about the banh mi here last fall (plus she thoughtfully included a recipe).

I would put a sizable chunk of change down on the fact that Calvin Trillin started this (once underground) obsession but although I perused my copy of The Tummy Trilogy, I couldn't find the essay that inspired me and so many others to search out this amazing Vietnemese sandwich. I've started the trilogy over again, so I'll let you know when I run across his piece again.

But back to the banh mi: Paté, cold cuts, thin slices of grilled meat, jalapeno, cilantro, daikon and carrots pickled in vinegar, sugar and fish sauce, and all stuffed inside a crusty baguette smeared with mayonnaise — it becomes a compulsion to try each and every kind of banh mi out there to see if you can find your favorite. The problem, of course, is the one that you’re eating now is your favorite.That also might be the best part, don't you think?

Before I saw the recipe Kendra included with her piece, I made a pork meatball banh mi I found in Bon Appetit. It’s amazing — and I made absolutely no alterations to it. My only advice is to make sure the quality of your bread is the very best. It makes all the difference. Here’s a link to the recipe.

 

Comments

[Brandon_ellis]

I'm the only one in my family that likes Vietnamese but I'm still making that this weekend! I'll eat one for every meal.
I'm also making these - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/claire-thomas/beer-brownies_b_529701.html

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[mmh1]

Where do you suggest getting the bread in RVA?

[Dee De]

I'm totally down to try to make my own banh mi, but any recommendations on where to get a good one here in Richmond?

[Brandon]

Best bread? Either Baker's Crust or Can Can. And you can buy a banh mi at the Asian Bakery!

[Boka RVA]

The Boka Truck will be featuring Bah Mi in it's upcoming twist on menu selections...Mayhaps you can arrange for Bahn Mi to come to you... www.BokaTruck.com

[Teresa]

Welcome Back Brandon!! BTW please give us recommendations in RVA.

[Deborah Dowd]

I saw this recipe and wondered how it would be since I love Banh mi, and now I know!!! I am pulling out my copy and making this one, since there is nowhere in my area to get a good banh mi.

[RVAfoodie]

Although I'm totally devoted to Asian Bakery's $3 banh mi (right by Tan-A... they do a great tofu version too), Cafe Gutenberg also makes a great one in pork or tofu options. Also, I'll bet they'd sell you the bread if you asked nice.