What Is Bánh Mì? The Vietnamese Roll Explained

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese bread roll: a light, crusty roll split open and filled with meat or a vegetarian filling, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. In Vietnamese, bánh mì simply means bread, and over time the name has come to mean the filled roll itself. At Asian Tucker in Tanunda we make five fillings (roast pork, BBQ pork, crispy chicken, combination and vegetarian) and every roll is filled at the counter while you wait.

If you have only ever had a bánh mì from a food court, or you have seen the name on our menu board and wondered what you are ordering, this is the short guide.

Where bánh mì comes from

Bread is not traditional to Vietnam. It arrived with Western missionaries, merchant ships and the French during the colonial era, and Vietnamese writing mentions bánh mì from at least 1861, according to Tuoi Tre News. Over time Vietnamese bakers and street vendors made it their own, with a lighter roll and local fillings, pickles and herbs.

Today it is everyday street food in Vietnam, and there are, as Tuoi Tre puts it, "dozens of ways" to eat it. That is a big part of why it travelled so well. It is fast, it is filling, and it is easy to eat with one hand.

What goes in a bánh mì?

Most bánh mì follow the same basic build, and the fun is in how each shop fills it in:

• The roll. Crusty on the outside, soft and airy inside, so it crunches without being hard work.
• The filling. Usually pork or chicken. Many shops in Vietnam also add a smear of pâté and mayonnaise.
• Something pickled. Pickled vegetables, often carrot, cut through the richness of the meat.
• Fresh herbs. Coriander is the classic, along with crunchy fresh vegetables.
• Heat, if you want it. Fresh chilli is common; ask for it the way you like it.

Ours is a crusty roll, pickled veg and fresh herbs with your choice of filling. The roast pork is chopped when you ask for it, so the crackling is still crackling when it goes into the roll.

Our five bánh mì fillings (and prices)

These are the rolls on our menu right now. Prices are subject to change without notice; the full menu on our home page is always the latest.

Want the lot? Meal Deal 1 ($17) is a roast pork or crispy chicken roll with a spring roll and a can of drink. Meal Deal 2 ($20) is a combination roll with a spring roll and a can of drink.

Which one should I order?

There is no wrong answer, but here is how we would steer a first-timer:

• Roast pork if you want the classic. Chopped to order, with crackling.
• Crispy chicken if you like a bit of crunch.
• BBQ pork if barbecue flavours are your thing.
• Combination if you are properly hungry or can't pick just one. Ask at the counter what's going in it today.
• Vegetarian if you don't eat meat. It is the same crusty roll, pickles and herbs.

Vegetarian bánh mì

Our vegetarian roll is $10, and it isn't the only meat-free option: you will also find vegetarian salad bowls, sticky rice and cold rolls on the menu. If you avoid particular ingredients (for example egg, dairy or fish sauce), tell us when you order so we can talk you through what suits.

Is bánh mì gluten free?

A standard bánh mì is not gluten free, because the roll is wheat bread. If you need to avoid gluten, ring us on 0426 288 098 before you come in and we will talk you through the options. The same goes for any food allergy. Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommends you tell the business about your allergy when you buy food that isn't packaged, and food businesses must be able to tell you about allergens when you ask (FSANZ Food Allergen Portal).

Getting a bánh mì in Tanunda

We are at Shop 3, 1A Para Road, Tanunda, open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed weekends and all public holidays). Everything is made fresh to order, so allow a few minutes, or ring ahead on 0426 288 098 and it'll be waiting. There are no apps and no online ordering; just call or come in. If you want to know more about what else we cook, have a read of our guide to cold rolls, sticky rice and salad bowls.