Bánh mì pa-tê (or Vietnamese pâté sandwich) is a famous dish consisting of a crusty baguette split lengthwise and spread with savory pâté, mayonnaise, and pickles. This bánh mì is a well-known street food and breakfast item in Vietnam.
The good news is you can also easily make this sandwich at home. Moreover, I’ll tell you briefly about the history of bánh mì and pâté in Vietnam, the required tools and ingredients for preparing the sandwich, what you should do to make it, and some tips. Read on for more useful information!
The Overview of Vietnamese Bánh Mì Pa-tê
Bánh mì pa-tê is a type of Vietnamese sandwich (bánh mì) made with crusty Vietnamese-style baguettes and pork liver pâté. Other ingredients include Vietnamese pickles, fresh vegetables, and mayonnaise. Sometimes, people add cold cuts or grilled pork.
In the mid-19th century, when Vietnam became a French colony, the French introduced pâté and baguettes to the region. Over time, the Vietnamese people embraced these ingredients, creatively transforming them into a convenient sandwich.
Today, bánh mì pa-tê is among the most popular versions of Vietnamese sandwiches that locals normally enjoy as a street food, breakfast item, and midnight snack.
What is Special About Vietnamese Pâté?
Vietnamese pâté differs from its French counterpart in ingredients, primarily using pork liver. Chunks of meat or offal are slow-cooked with spices to create a spreadable texture, but in Vietnam, pork liver is the main ingredient.
Some Vietnamese prefer chicken liver pâté for its milder flavor. Both versions are savory, smooth, and easily spread on crisp baguettes. In Vietnamese, pâté is often written as pate or pa-tê.
Plus, please note that pâté chaud, a French-inspired Vietnamese puff pastry filled with ground meat, is unrelated to pâté.
What Are the Tools for Preparing Bánh Mì Pa-tê?
You only need basic tools to assemble a Vietnamese pate sandwich, such as:
What Are Must-have Ingredients in Bánh Mì Pa-tê?
Since most of the ingredients for a pate sandwich are pre-cooked, you just need to put them together. Here is the list of ingredients.
How Do I Make Bánh Mì Pa-tê?
Making this Vietnamese sandwich recipe can’t get any easier because you only have to prepare the vegetables and put the main ingredients in the baguette. That is because many sandwich components are already cooked and don’t require further processing.
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Rinse the vegetables and let them drain.
Cut the cucumber into thin sticks. Cut the scallions into long strips. Cut the chili peppers into little rings.
Step 2: Assemble the Banh Mi Pate
Use a sharp knife to slice open the baguette along its length. Don’t push the blade too deep, or you will pierce the other side and cut your baguette in half.
Use the knife to spread a suitable amount of pate onto the sides of the baguette, followed by a layer of Vietnamese-style mayonnaise.
With a pair of chopsticks, put the cucumber ribbons and pickled vegetables into the baguette.
Pour the garlic sauce over the filling, then add the scallions and chili peppers. Smear some chili sauce and mayonnaise over the filling.
Preparing bánh mì pa-tê at home is effortless, but the process will get even smoother with a few simple tips.
What Are Helpful Tips to Improve Your Bánh Mì Pa-tê?
To make your Banh Mi Pate taste better, try the following tricks.
Bánh Mì Pa-tê: A Must-try Dish for Banh Mi Lovers
Bánh mì pate is a wonderful fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisines. Whenever you crave a quick bite for the early morning meal, this simple Vietnamese sandwich is always ready to please you with its excellent convenience, fantastic contrast of textures, and flavorful taste.
Do you have good experience with preparing this recipe? Do you have great tips to share or questions that need answers? I’m here to help! Let me know what you think in the comment section, and I will get back to you soon! And don’t forget to share my Banh Mi Pate recipe with your friends!
Bánh Mì Pa-tê Recipe (Vietnamese Pâté Sandwich)
Equipment
- Spoon
- Chopsticks
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1.76 ounces pate pork liver pâté
- 1.06 ounces Vietnamese-style mayonnaise
- 2.5 fluid ounces garlic sauce
- 3.53 ounces Vietnamese pickles
- 2 Vietnamese baguettes
- Chili sauce and mayonnaise to taste
- Optional vegetables: scallions, cucumbers, chili peppers, etc.
Instructions
- Rinse the vegetables and drain them.Cut the cucumber into thin sticks. Cut the scallions into long strips. Cut the chili peppers into little rings.
- Use a sharp knife to slice open the baguette lengthwise.
- Use the knife to spread a suitable amount of pâté onto the sides of the baguette. Repeat the process with Vietnamese-style mayonnaise.
- Use a pair or chopsticks to put the cucumber ribbons and pickled vegetables into the baguette.
- Pour the garlic sauce over the filling, then add the scallion strips.
- Smear some chili sauce and mayonnaise over the filling. Garnish with chili pepper rings.
Video
Notes
- The estimated time and instructions are for preparing 2 servings.
- Reheat the baguettes prior to making bánh mì pate.
- Serve it immediately.
- Enjoy bánh mì with Vietnamese coffee.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili peppers.
Richie
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Cooking-video Maker, Beverage Evaluation Expert
Education
Saigon Culinary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Australia Vocational School (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Richie, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a dynamic Content Writer with a talent for capturing the essence of culinary art.
Richie specializes in creating visually appealing and tasty content, offering a new angle on Vietnamese and other culinary traditions. With a background in graphic design and a love for food styling and photography, he expertly combines beauty with food narratives, encouraging his audience to discover the culinary world through his imaginative perspective.