Bánh Mì is a famous Vietnamese sandwich that combines a light, crispy baguette with marinated meat, tangy pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

The contrast of textures—from crunchy vegetables to boneless chicken thighs and airy bread—makes it irresistible.

Today, we'll guide you through a detailed, step-by-step recipe so we can make this delicious sandwich at home together.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the pickled vegetables:

- White radish: 500g

- Red carrot: 100g

- Salt: 20g

- White or rice vinegar: 250cc

- Cold water: 500cc

- Sugar: 100g

- Optional: fresh chili slices, few drops of sesame oil

For the meat filling:

- Boneless chicken thighs: 1kg

- Garlic: ½ clove, minced

- Peanut butter: 1 tablespoon

- Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons

- Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons

- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon

- Rice cooking liquid: 1 tablespoon

- Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon

For assembly:

- French baguette: 2 pieces (6-inch) or 1 long baguette cut in half

- Fresh coriander: a few sprigs

- Optional: chili sauce for extra heat

Steps To Make It

Step 1: Prepare the Pickled Vegetables

1. Peel 500g of white radish and 100g of red carrot.

2. Cut the vegetables into long strips about 0.3 cm wide and 10 cm long. Avoid grating too finely to preserve crunch.

3. Place the strips in a large bowl, sprinkle 20g of salt, and mix well. Let them sit for 15 minutes to release water.

4. Rinse the vegetables under cold water to remove excess salt.

Step 2: Make the Pickling Liquid

1. In a container with a lid, combine 250cc of white or rice vinegar, 500cc of cold water, and 100g of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.

2. Add the rinsed radish and carrot to the liquid. Make sure they are fully submerged.

3. Optional: add chili slices and a few drops of sesame oil for extra flavor.

4. Seal the container and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors develop.

Step 3: Cook the Meat

1. Cut 1kg of boneless chicken thighs into thin strips.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the meat and stir-fry for about 1 minute until the color changes.

3. Add ½ clove of minced garlic and stir until fragrant.

4. Add 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon rice cooking sauce.

5. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Baguette

1. Take your baguette and cut it horizontally to create a sandwich base.

2. If the baguette is long, cut it into smaller portions for easier handling.

Step 5: Assemble the Sandwich

1. Layer the pickled vegetables on the bottom half of the bread.

2. Add the cooked meat evenly on top.

3. Optional: drizzle a small amount of chili sauce for extra spice.

4. Finish with another layer of pickled vegetables and a few sprigs of fresh coriander.

5. Close the sandwich and press lightly to hold all ingredients together.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

We recommend enjoying the sandwich immediately while the bread is still crisp. Pair it with a light iced tea or sparkling water. If making several sandwiches, keep the vegetables and meat separate until ready to eat to preserve textures.

Why We Love Bánh Mì

This sandwich perfectly balances crunch, tang, and savory richness. Each bite offers a mix of textures—from the crisp vegetables to the boneless chicken thighs and soft, airy bread. Making it at home is fun, easy, and satisfying. Sharing it with friends or family makes the experience even better.

Enjoying Our Creation

Lykkers, making Bánh Mì at home lets us enjoy bold, fresh flavors without stepping outside. With this detailed guide, we can craft a crunchy, tangy, and savory Vietnamese sandwich anytime. Share it with friends or family, or simply treat ourselves—we deserve it! Let's savor every bite and celebrate the fun of cooking together.