Ottawa · Vietnamese food guide

Bánh mì: A sandwich with its own rhythm.

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese filled baguette, usually layered with savoury fillings, pâté or mayonnaise, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. Its appeal is the crisp-soft contrast packed into a handheld meal.

What is bánh mì?

Bánh mì is a Vietnamese filled baguette layered with savoury fillings, pâté or mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, cucumber, and fresh herbs. The name describes a family of sandwiches rather than one fixed recipe.

The characteristic experience is contrast: crisp bread, rich filling, sharp pickles, and fresh herbs meet in one handheld meal.

What should you look for in a bánh mì?

Ask what fillings are available if a menu offers several versions. Pickles and herbs should bring lift to the savoury centre, while the baguette supplies the crisp-soft structure that makes bánh mì distinct.