Name: Banh Mi Sandwich
Prep time: PT-973191H32M26S
Cook time: 10 min
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1 daikon about 6" long, cut into matchsticks; 2 large carrots, cut into matchsticks; 1 small jalapeno pepper sliced thin; 1 watermelon radish (optional); 2 tbsp grated ginger (about 1.5" piece); 1 tbsp grated garlic (optional); 1 1/2 cups boiling water; 1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar or 1/2 of white OR apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 tbsp of sugar; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp of sugar (optional); Two lemongrass stalks, tough outer layers removed, cut into thirds.; 2 cloves of garlic grated; 2 tbsp grated ginger; 4 scallions, sliced thin white and light green parts; 1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp agave; 1 block of high protein tofu, cut in half and sliced. See the images above. You can also use extra firm tofu.; 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1 large baguette; 1/4 cup vegan mayo ( 1 tbsp per sandwich); 2 tsp sriracha (more or less to taste); 8 tsp pesto (2 tsp per sandwich); 4 Persian cucumbers cut in ribbons or sticks; 1 large bunch of fresh cilantro; 1 small bunch of mint; 1 small bunch of basil leaves

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When you sink your teeth into the crunchy perfection that is a Banh Mi Sandwich, it is not an experience you quickly forget. This savory, flavorful Vietnamese street food is the definition of umami and a joy to eat.

A banh mi sandwich sitting on a wood cutting board

What is Banh Mi?

Banh Mi, sometimes also called Saigon sandwich, is a delightful Vietnamese sandwich served on a crusty baguette. Traditionally, Banh Mi is made with savory meats, pickles, and herbs piled up on a crusty bread.

Even in this vegan version, Vegan Banh Mi is one of the best and most interesting sandwiches you will ever eat, it's sweet, sour, savory, and full of fresh herbs. It's worth buying the ingredients and taking the time to make this Vegan interpretation of this flavorful tofu sandwich

This recipe is our take on a vegan tofu Banh mi sandwich we enjoyed many years ago at a vegan Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.

Banh Mi Sandwich Ingredients

Pickled Carrots and Daikon Ingredients

Daikon.
Carrots.
Jalapeno Pepper.
Watermelon Radish. (optional)
Ginger.
Grated Garlic.
Boiling Water.
Seasoned Rice Vinegar. White or apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon of sugar will also work.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt
Sugar (optional)

The ingredients to make a bang mi sandwich on a cutting board; jalapeno, daikon, cucumber, carrots and lemongrass

Ingredients for the Lemongrass Tofu

Lemongrass Stalks.
Garlic.
Ginger.
Scallions.
Hot Pepper Flakes. Or Aleppo pepper.
Soy Sauce.
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice or Lemon Juice.
Rice Vinegar
Agave
High Protein Tofu
Toasted Sesame oil, you can also use vegetable oil

Tofu slices displayed on a wood cutting board

Other Ingredients to Build the Banh Mi Sandwich

Baguette.
Pickled Carrots and Daikon.
Lemongrass Tofu.
Vegan Mayonnaise
Sriracha.
Pesto.
Persian Cucumbers.
Fresh Cilantro.
Mint.
Basil Leaves.

An overhead view of two bahn mi sandwiches

Protein Variations for a Vegan Banh Mi Sandwiches

Traditional Banh Mi can be made with many different types of meat. A vegan banh mi li can also be made with different types of protein sources. Here are some choices:

Vegan Banh Mi Fragrant Tofu: Marinate tofu with ginger and lemongrass and pan-fried in sesame oil.

Vegan Banh Mi with Stir-Fried Tofu, Veggies, and Glass noodles: Stir fry thinly sliced tofu with vegetables and glass noodles and add them to your sandwich.

Vegan Banh Mi with Vegan “Ham”: If you've never had this copycat meat, you should try it to see if you like it. It is made from processed bean curd to imitate the flavor of ham and beet juice to emulate the color. Banh Mi made with vegan ham is a vegan version of the one made with Vietnamese cold cuts.

Vegan Banh Mi Seitan: Seitan is an imitation meat made with wheat gluten. If you do not like tofu or cannot have soy, you can use seitan as a substitute. Often you can find it already marinated, but if you don't you should marinate it yourself. when you purchase it.

How To Make This Vegan Vietnamese-Inspired Sandwich

Pickle the veggies

You will start by making pickled vegetables. Put the daikon, carrots, jalapenos, and watermelon radish in a large jar with a tight lid. Boil the remaining ingredients, stirring them well until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Pour this mixture over the vegetables and close the lid. Let the pickle jar sit on the counter for about an hour to cool and then move it to the refrigerator.

A jar of jalapeno, daikon and carrots with vinegar being poured on top

A jar of pickled daikon, carrots and jalapeno with ginger sitting next to it

Marinate and Cook the Tofu

Ideally, your tofu needs to marinate overnight which is perfect because it will give the vegetables time to pickle up. Marinate the tofu with bruised lemongrass, ginger, scallions, soy sauce and rice vinegar and place in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. When you are ready to cook the tofu, heat the sesame oil in a large skillet and cook the tofu for four to five minutes per side.

Tofu and marinade in a ziploc bag — Marinated Tofu with lemongrass and ginger

Cooked lemongrass tofu on a white plate — Marinated Tofu with lemongrass and ginger

Assemble the Vegan Tofu Banh Mi

Cut the baguette into 4 pieces. Slice each piece in half, but without going all the way through, keeping the two halves attached. This makes it easier to hold and eat the sandwich without falling apart. Toast the baguette, just enough to make it crunchy on the outside.

Mix mayo and sriracha and spread on one side of the cut side of the baguette. Spread the pesto on the other side of the cut side of the baguette. Fill the sandwich with tofu, pickled veggies, cucumber, fresh cilantro, mint, and basil.

Tips for the Perfect Sandwich

Bruise the lemongrass to release its flavor.
If you get a chance, freeze the tofu, defrost it, and squeeze as much water out as possible. Freezing tofu gives it a texture that is more similar to meat.
Marinate the tofu overnight so it gets a chance to absorb all the marinade flavors.
Use Ginger and sesame oil to make the lemongrass tofu to enhance the tofu flavor
1 tablespoon of mayo per sandwich may seem like a lot, but that amount works great in this sandwich. Just try it.
All the components of this recipe can be made ahead of time. Toast the baguette and assemble the sandwich right before eating.
Plan ahead, so you can have perfectly pickled veggies and flavorful marinated tofu.

An overhead view of two banh mi sandwiches with sriracha drizzled over the top

Banh Mi Sandwich Variations

Take your banh mi up a notch by changing up the chilis. Jalapeños are the most common but you can definitely turn up the heat if you prefer.

Change up the flavor of the banh mi by making your own homemade vegan aioli (mayonnaise) sauce.

Lemongrass FAQ

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass is a tropical grass from South East Asia with aromatic stalks which is used as a flavoring in cooking many Asian dishes.

Where can I find lemongrass?

You should be able to find lemongrass at your local Asian market or specialty supermarket.

How to cook with lemongrass?

Take the lemongrass stalk and cut off ½ " from the bottom. where the hard bulb is and about 2" from the top. Peel 2 layers of the leaves. With a wooden spoon hit the lemongrass until it releases some of its fragrant smell.

More Homemade Sandwiches to Make

If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe? Do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich

What is Banh Mi?