If you’ve never heard of Banh Mi – or tried it – before, then you’re surely missing out on one of the most delicious sandwiches ever invented. The Banh Mi sandwich originates from Vietnam, but it has already acquired an extensive following around the world because of its deliciousness – crunchy bread paired with savoury, spicy, and salty meat along with pickled veggies. Who could ask for more? But you may be surprised to learn that Banh Mi actually comes in different versions. There are different kinds of Banh Mi around, and it’s time you educate yourself about them. Here are the most popular – and delicious – kinds of Banh Mi sandwiches you should try today.

What you should remember  

When Banh Mi is mentioned, it is usually mentioned with the term ‘grilled’ because most Banh Mi sandwiches are comprised of grilled meat. But the meat in Banh Mi can be grilled, pan fried, or sautéed. If you a see a menu of Banh Mi and the term ‘grilled’ or ‘barbecued’ is mentioned, then this usually means that the meat is  pork that is marinated and grilled with a semi-sweet, somewhat spicy sauce.

Banh Mi variations 

• Pork Roll (Cha Lua or Cha): This variation of the Banh Mi sandwich is served with minced pork which is tightly packed, forming a roll. The pork is then covered in aluminium foil or banana leaves and then boiled or steamed, resulting in a dense roll of meat. The pork roll is sliced and placed in the Vietnamese baguette, along with some pickled vegetables and coriander.

• Cured cold cuts (Thit Nguoi): Another version of the Banh Mi is the one with cured cold cuts. Thit Nguoi, literally translated, means ‘cooled meat’, and the Banh Mi sandwich is filled with these cold cuts with a thin layer of pork fat. Some menus may refer to it as Ba Chi (similar to pork belly).

• Grilled pork (Thit Nuong): Pork is the star of this Banh Mi sandwich once again, but this time, it’s in grilled form. The pork is marinated for a while and then grilled, and the pork cuts could either be pork shoulder, belly, or chops. The smoky grilled pork is a big hit amongst westerners, as you can well imagine.

• Paté: This variation of Banh Mi is also popular. In the Vietnamese version, the paté can be a mix of chicken or duck, and it is usually included when you order any sort of Banh Mi sandwich. You can, however, order just a Banh Mi paté sandwich, with a greater amount of the paste filling.

Other variations of the Banh Mi exist, such as sandwiches with tofu (perfect for vegetarians), stewed beef, chicken, and more. At a Vietnamese restaurant London offers such as VietEat, you can take your pick from a wide variety of tasty delectable Banh Mi sandwiches.