Banh Mi (Vietnamese-Style Sandwich)

Ingredients

  • FOR THE SLAW:
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup julienned carrots
  • 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • FOR THE SEASONED PORK:
  • 1 tsp. canola oil
  • 1 tbsp. finely chopped yellow onion
  • 12 oz. ground pork
  • 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp. Asian-style hot sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder
  • 1/2 tsp. red food coloring
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 4 10″ Vietnamese baguettes or Portuguese rolls, split
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 8 1/8 ″-thick slices Vietnamese-style pork roll (cha lua) or bologna
  • 8 1/8 ″-thick slices Vietnamese-style salami or ham
  • 1/2 cup cilantro sprigs
  • 1/2 medium English cucumber, cut lengthwise into 4 thick slices
  • Asian-style chile oil, to taste

Preparation

Step 1

1. Make the slaw: Bring vinegar, sugar, and ½ cup water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over high heat; transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in carrots, radish, and salt, and set the slaw aside for 30 minutes. Drain.

2. Make the seasoned pork: Heat oil in a 10″ nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, 2–3 minutes. Add pork, hoisin, 2 tsp. soy sauce, sesame oil, hot sauce, five-spice powder, food coloring, onion and garlic powders, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until browned, 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Heat oven to 400°. Place baguettes on a baking sheet and spread 1 tbsp. mayonnaise inside both halves. Bake until hot and slightly crisped, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and divide seasoned pork evenly between baguettes. Top each with 2 slices pork roll, 2 slices salami, 1 tsp. soy sauce, ¼ of the cilantro, and 1 cucumber slice. Season with more pepper and chile oil, and top with the slaw. Close sandwiches.