Have You Ever Seen a Banh Mi This Elaborate in the D.C. Area?
For reasons that will become clear later, Y&H has become obsessed with banh mi — and the many subtle ways one sandwich differs from another.
Most in the D.C. area offer variations on these basic ingredients: a pork preparation (shredded, roasted, barbecued), pâté, cold cuts (including those divine slices of head cheese for crunch), pickled veggies, slices of jalapeño, a mayo-based dressing, and some cilantro garnish, all on a crusty mini-baguette. But I have never seen anything as elaborate as this banh mi, which Anthony Bourdain wolfed down during a No Reservations trip to Vietnam.
I’m not even sure what some of those ingredients are. What’s that reddish looking sauce clinging to the sides of the baguette? A fish sauce-loaded hot sauce perhaps? And a fried-egg finish? Good God, I’ve never had such a thing around here — but I’m dying to find one soon.
Compare the banh mi that Bourdain pounds down to a combination banh mi that I bought this weekend at Song Que:
It was tasty, yes, but I gotta think we’re missing out on some decadent banh mi in our parts.
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12:17 pm
Two forces working against you:
1) Immigrants are doing most of the banh mi around here, and they’re not likely to be whipping out the more edgy permutations. In Vietnam, where there are often literally a couple dozen banh mi options within a block, folks are differentiating.
2) You have to remember that foreign “ethnic” food from immigrants will always represent the immigrant experience.
What I mean is, the banh mi available around here will mostly be a more old-skool “classic” banh mi. If you immigrated in 1985, you’re sort of like a time-capsule from 1985’s version of your home country. Back home, everything continues to develop, especially food and culture, but you’re a time capsule. The local immigrant communities represent that, and so does the food.
12:23 pm
Very interesting take, Nick. Thanks for chiming in.
2:36 pm
I have my first one on my first trip to G Street Food and I haven’t ordered anything else on the menu since. Are the ones at Eden Center better (cheaper I’m sure)?
2:51 pm
Nice take @Nick.
@dcrat, I went to Banh Mi DC by 50 and Graham road. I think it’s one of the best.
3:19 pm
@ DCRAT – the ones @ Eden Center are heads and shoulders above that G Street Food crap.
3:37 pm
Lou, Nick, et al,
Just a reminder that Banh Mi D.C. made the Y&H Dining Guide this year: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=37407
-Tim
12:36 pm
I saw this episode again last night and wanted to immediately jump on a plane to Vietnam when I saw them making the bahn mi. I feel desperately deprived in DC!