Booking.com introduces six destinations for street food bánh mì sampling

According to the website, bánh mì (bread) refers to a special kind of sandwich as it is a culinary fusion of two cultures, Vietnam and France, whilst serving as a prime example of how food is always closely linked with history.

“Known as a street food that is convenient yet tasty, bánh mì can be found almost anywhere across Vietnam. From food critics, celebrity chefs, famous global food awards and cuisine recommendations, the dish can be found as a much loved street food by anyone,” says Booking.com.

Hanoi 

The travel website said that there’s a variety of bánh mì throughout Hanoi to enjoy during every season. In addition to the typical ‘sandwich’, there’s a specialty dish called ‘pan-fried bánh mì’.

“Bread will be toasted and served while they’re still hot, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. On a sizzling small pan, there are toppings to stuff in the bread to your taste which include but not limited to omelet, pate, sausage, steak, jambon, melted butter,” it revealed.

Thua Thien- Hue

According to Booking.com, the central Vietnamese specialty is ‘rice-dumpling bánh mì’. Lightly toasted over charcoal, the bread achieves a crispiness that goes well with rice dumpling cake. 

“A good rice dumpling cake would have a supple, transparent flour cover that shows its shrimp and meat fillings. Adding a few slices of chasiu, herbs, chili, sugar, fish-sauce and chasiu gravy, and there comes a combination of rich, delicious, buttery taste that can be found nowhere else,” it noted.

Nha Trang 

Located in the central region of Vietnam, immersed in the sea breeze all year round and full of countless fresh seafood species, Nha Trang offers a unique bánh mì which makes use of sea fish, the best local ingredient. 

The travel outlet added that the typical salty taste from the ocean and the natural deliciousness of fresh fish creates the golden fried fish cake, which is sweet, salty, flavoursome, slightly crispy, yet still soft, and serves as the soul of the fish cake bánh mì.

“The flavor of fish cake bánh mì is enhanced with a touch of herbs, cucumbers, deep-fried onions and a sweet-n-spicy sauce,” says Booking.com.

It also suggested that visitors enjoy the dish while it's still hot, with it sure to leave an unforgettable aftertaste for any foodie.

Hoi An

Apart from several popular dishes such as Cao Lau, chicken rice, fried mussels, and corn soup, according to Booking.com, Hoi An bread stands out and makes it on to the bucket list of many visitors who visit the old central town. 

“Once filmed and praised by Anthony Bourdain in his famed travel show No Reservations, Bánh Mì Phượng was rated as the best in Hoi An - a ‘symphony in a sandwich’. If you would like to avoid the long queue of visitors in front of Bánh Mì Phượng, try other local stores such as Bánh Mì Madam Khanh, Bánh Mì cô Lành,” it recommended.

Da Lat 

The travel website shared that Da Lat might be the only city where bánh mì is slowly consumed with a bowl of hot meat-ball soup amid the breeze of a peaceful morning.  

“How xíu mại, a Chinese dish, ended up in Vietnam, let alone the mist-soaked hills of Da Lat, is still up to debate, but there is no doubt the bread-accompanying meatballs are the vacation destination’s most ubiquitous dish. On nearly every street corner, one notices food carts filled with fresh baguettes resting above a pot of pork orbs simmering in sauce,” Booking.com noted.

Saigon

Saigon, the former name of present-day Ho Chi Minh City, is another city where bánh mì is popular, where not only the variety of bánh mì is enough for a day-tour, but travelers can also find almost all varieties of Vietnamese bánh mì in the southern metropolis.

“One specialty of Saigon's bánh mì is xíu mại salted egg. After being marinated, the meatball will be wrapped around a salted egg, and will be steamed. The steamed meatball and salted egg will then be boiled in a sweet, naturally red-orange color sauce to soften even more and absorb extra flavors,” it concluded.