Buzz
Searching for the “best banh mi in Vietnam” leads you to “Banh Mi Phuong” in Hoi An. What makes this the epitome of delicious banh mi in Vietnam?
Canadian chef Cameron Stauch, who has previously cooked for the Canadian Prime Minister and now resides in Hanoi, shares his unique experience tasting Vietnam's best banh mi.
With eager anticipation, Chef Stauch devoured his banh mi swiftly, savoring every last drop of the savory sauce clinging to his fingers, and promptly ordered another. Such was the delight he found at Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An.
Before traveling to Vietnam, Cameron Stauch had sampled various Vietnamese banh mi abroad, but none left him fully satisfied. In Hanoi and Saigon, the banh mi was decent but lacked character and substance.
It wasn't until he visited the acclaimed “best banh mi in Vietnam,” as recommended by many international friends, that he truly found satisfaction. After several visits to the beautiful streets of Hoi An, Chef Stauch discovered the secret behind the extraordinary flavor of the banh mi here: most ingredients are homemade, rather than store-bought like in many other places.
Other Unique Elements That Define the Best Banh Mi in Vietnam Unveiled by Canadian Chef
Bread Kept Warm in a Charcoal Oven
The bread at the shop is quite thin, not as thick as traditional French baguettes. All bread is kept warm in a wooden cabinet by the heat of a charcoal oven before preparation.
Homemade Sauce
The sauce at Banh Mi Phuong is meticulously prepared by the shop owner, boasting a rich and flavorful taste. Instead of ready-made mayonnaise, soy sauce, or fish sauce, the shop owner has crafted a 'super sauce' as dubbed by Chef Cameron Stauch. This recipe is the closely guarded secret of the shop owner.
Premium-Quality Meat and Pate
Meat Accompaniments in the Banh Mi Include Thin Slices of Grilled Pork Shoulder, Cold Cuts, or Sausages. The shop also offers a special, soft and creamy liver pate that melts in the mouth, enhancing the delicious flavor.
Accompanying Vegetables
All accompanying vegetables are fresh, combining various types of raw vegetables with unique flavors such as cilantro, basil, spring onion,... A touch of carrots, pickled cucumbers also adds freshness and deliciousness to the Phuong bakery sandwich.
Ingredient Arrangement
All shop staff adhere to a consistent ingredient arrangement, allowing for a short completion time of a sandwich, ensuring uniform flavor for all.
First, a spoonful of homemade mayonnaise sauce is evenly spread on the bread, followed by a spread of pate underneath. Two small spoonfuls of pepper sauce are drizzled along the bread, followed by meat and pickled vegetables in the next step.
Key ingredients such as meat, Vietnamese pork roll are placed in the bread; topped with a bit of chili sauce or added with a homemade sauce. Chef Cameron Stauch shares that he believes this special layering process has created a harmonious and addictive flavor for the sandwiches here.
Cameron Stauch has a special fondness for the sandwich at the small shop in Hoi An's ancient town, and he doesn't forget to recommend this intriguing spot to friends and other international travelers.
Source: Depplus
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourFebruary 28, 2016
