bánh mì vietnamese sandwiches or pizza

Recipe by
Robin Wellhouse
Eden, WY

Who’s had Banh Mi before? It’s a Vietnamese street food usually in a sandwich form on crunchy baguette rolls. However, on a trip to Alaska a few years ago, I had it in pizza form. Rolls or pizza dough, spicy sauce, pickled veggies, thinly sliced red onions, and a protein of some sort (pork belly, ground pork, grilled chicken, tofu, etc.) I used pork belly for this specific recipe, but add whatever protein you prefer.

Since this is a “step-by-step” recipe, I’ve made the instructions how I do it. I’ve done the sandwiches before but have added the extra info for making it into a pizza. Enjoy!

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yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 23 Hr 20 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For bánh mì vietnamese sandwiches or pizza

  • SESAME GINGER SAUCE FOR THE SANDWICHES OR PIZZA
  • 1/4 c
    soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp
    rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp
    honey
  • 1 Tbsp
    sesame oil
  • 1 tsp
    ginger paste or finely minced ginger root
  • 1/4 tsp
    crushed red pepper or flakes, more or less to taste
  • 1 clove
    garlic, minced, more or less to taste
  • CREAMY HOISIN SRIRACHA SAUCE (SPICY MAYO)
  • 1/2 c
    mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbsp
    hoisin sauce
  • 1 Tbsp
    sriracha sauce, more or less to taste
  • 1 Tbsp
    chili garlic sauce, more or less to taste
  • 1 Tbsp
    ponzu (citrus or lime)
  • PICKLED TOPPINGS
  • 1/2 c
    water
  • 2 Tbsp
    rice vinegar
  • 1/4 c
    sugar (white or brown)
  • 1 dash
    sea salt
  • 2 md
    carrots, shredded or cut into matchsticks
  • 1/2 c
    daikon or horseradish, sliced thinly or cut into matchsticks
  • 2 Tbsp
    minced garlic (I use store bought for ease)
  • MARINATED PORK BELLY
  • 1-2 lb
    pork belly (like bacon, but not pre-sliced)
  • 1 c
    fermented red bean with sichuan pepper
  • 1 c
    onion, finely diced (white, yellow, or red)
  • 2 Tbsp
    minced garlic (I use store bought for ease)
  • 1 tsp
    seasoning salt or sea salt
  • 2 tsp
    onion powder
  • 2 tsp
    granulated garlic (not garlic salt)
  • 1/4 c
    soy sauce or ponzu
  • FOR THE PIZZA
  • 10 oz
    pizza dough or naan dough of your choice (room temp)
  • 1 tsp
    sesame oil
  • 1/2 c
    sesame ginger sauce
  • 1 lb
    pork belly (marinated, cooked, and thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 c
    shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 c
    pickled veggies
  • 1 md
    red onion, sliced thinly
  • 1 box
    sprouts (I use combo of broccoli and alfalfa)
  • 1/2 c
    jalapenos, fresh and diced finely (seeded for less heat)
  • 1 md
    cucumber, thinly sliced (I don't peel them)
  • 1 bunch
    baby arugula leaves or fresh mixed greens
  • 1 bunch
    fresh cilantro, fresh (finely diced) to garnish, optional

How To Make bánh mì vietnamese sandwiches or pizza

  • Sesame Ginger Sauce
    1
    Sesame Ginger Sauce - Directions: Mix everything together in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Creamy Hoisin Sriracha Sauce (Spicy Mayo)
    2
    Creamy Hoisin Sriracha Sauce (Spicy Mayo) - Directions: Mix everything together in a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Pickled carrot, daikon, and garlic
    3
    Pickled Toppings - In a small pot combine the rice vinegar, water, sugar, and dash of salt and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool completely to room temperature. In a large bowl, add the carrot matchsticks (or if you shredded them, squeeze them with paper towels over the sink first to get excess water out), daikon, and garlic. Pour cooled pickling liquid over the veggies, mix to combine, and set aside for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 24 hours (at least).
  • Pork belly, after marinating and cooking, sliced thin.
    4
    MARINATED PORK BELLY directions - Whisk everything together in a bowl. Add your pork belly to the bowl, evenly coat the surface, then transfer pork with any marinade left to a large plastic zip bag and squeeze the air out. Marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours (squishing the bag and turning over periodically).
    After marinating, remove the pork from the bag. Roll it into a spiral and tie it with butcher’s twine so it holds its shape while cooking. I use 1-pound portions, so I cut it in half (crosswise) to make 2 spiral rolls. Place the rolled pork bellies to a pot then fill with water to almost submerge the roll (don’t completely cover the top). Squeeze the bag to add in any leftover marinade to the pot. Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to simmer and cook for about 90 minutes, rotating the pork every 30 minutes, and flipping over for the last 30 minutes.
    The pork is ready when the skin is soft and easily pierced by a chopstick or fork, but the meat inside remains firm. Remove from the water to cool, then remove twine and thinly slice.
  • 5
    ASSEMBLE: For the Sandwiches – Use the bread rolls of your choice, but baguettes are best (crunchy crusts with soft centers). Slice the rolls in half lengthwise (and toast them first if desired). Spread a thin layer of the sauce you choose on each half of bread. Thinly slice the protein of your choice (if using shrimp, leave them whole, slice in half, or chop) and place on top of the prepared bread. Spoon any leftover sauce on top of it. Drain the pickled veggies and add equal amounts to to each sandwich. Top with a small handful of fresh cilantro leaves if desired. Finish with the top half of the roll and enjoy!
  • Pizza out of the oven with toppings before serving.
    6
    FOR THE PIZZA: Preheat your oven to 425F. My oven runs a bit hot, so I heat to 420F. Once the pizza dough is ready, lightly flour a counter. Divide the dough into 2 balls (or make one large sheet pizza). Use your hands or a rolling pin to roll the dough out until you have a flattened disk. Place the pizza(s) on a prepared baking sheet (I use parchment paper for easy release) and then use your hands to gently tug, pull and push the pizza dough into your desired shape.
    Brush the edges of the rolled-out dough with sesame oil, then brush the entire surface with the sesame ginger sauce mixture over the dough (keep any leftover sauce for dipping and serving). Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the entire surface and then add the sliced pork belly. Add a little more cheese if desired. Bake 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with the crisp, pickled, veggie mixture, evenly spread over the cooked pizza. Garnish with the fresh veggies and cilantro. Drizzle with the creamy Hoisin sauce and optional sriracha for more heat. Serve hot and enjoy!

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