On March 23, 2011, "bread" – (banh mi /ˈbɑːn miː/) was officially added to the Oxford Dictionary as a proper noun, besides the names: baguette, sandwich,... This is not only a pride for the Vietnamese language but also for Vietnamese cuisine, because being recognized as a proper noun also means that our bread will be called by many foreigners.
Photo: Labor
From the early years of the 19th century, banh mi was introduced to Vietnam by the French Expeditionary armies. For the French, this is a familiar dish, indispensable like a bowl of rice for us Vietnamese. Due to the difficulty of importing wheat at that time and the high price, bread became a luxury dish only for the upper class.
In the 50s and 60s of the 20th century, along with the improvement of raw materials and the increase of bakeries, French baguettes were transformed into typical Vietnamese bread. However, Vietnamese bread has only really been shaped since 1958, when Hoa Ma bread shop officially appeared.
The first bakery in Vietnam, Cao Thang Street, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TTVN
Along with "Ao Dai", "Pho", "Banh Mi" have followed Vietnamese people to many countries around the world and become one of the symbols of Vietnamese cuisine.
Through the whole historical process, creativity with typical indigenous ingredients and flavors of Vietnamese culinary culture, banh mi has affirmed the name and brand of dishes not only in Vietnam but also in the world.
Image: Foodholicvn.
Unlike hamburgers or sandwiches, Vietnamese bread is different with a crispy outer crust and a soft foam inside. Especially the empty intestines to add fillings such as meat, pate, eggs, and herbs,... This is also the reason why bread has become famous around the world.
The famous culinary evaluation and introduction site Taste Atlas in early 2024 voted Vietnamese banh mi as the best sandwich in the world. With a score of 4.6 on a 5-scale scale, Vietnamese banh mi surpassed 99 other sandwiches to top this ranking.
Image: Foodholicvn.
Suggest some places that sell delicious bread such as Phuong Bread and Madam Khanh Bread in Hoi An, Huynh Hoa Bread, Hoa Ma Bread, and Hong Hoa Bread in Saigon. Banh mi can be found all over the world in the carts and shops of Vietnamese people living far from their homeland.
According to Taste Atlas