Banh Mi Bites

By: Levi Chen

The formula for a successful game day event is simple: an exciting game, an abundance of drinks, and an amazing spread of delicious, though not always the healthiest, foods. Game day foods being such a crucial aspect of American culture means that there are dishes that are considered necessary staples at any tailgate or friends watch party. However, a downside to such a firm tradition means that it can be all too easy to remain complacent and never explore beyond the same old classics. 

Think of game day staples like wings, pigs in a blanket, sliders, chips & dips. The two core elements that bind these classics are the characteristics of being easy to share while also being convenient to grab and go. With these factors in mind, the playing field widens when it comes to game day foods, and given America’s reputation of being a “melting pot,” the potential to create new game day dish offerings are incredibly vast. 

As someone who grew up in Houston, a city boasting both a massive sports presence and one of the largest Vietnamese-American populations in the U.S., it would be almost unfair to not combine the idea of Banh Mi, a crunchy savory Vietnamese sandwich, with the convenience found with traditional “grab and go” game day foods. Borrowing the concept found with the Italian bruschetta, the idea of a Banh Mi Bites was born and it is a severely underrated offering at any game day festivity. 

Although similar to the bruschetta, banh mi bites add a twist by taking the traditional ingredients found in banh mi and stacking them beautifully all on top of a thin slice of crisp baguette. When properly executed, a colorful contrast is found between the lush green layers of fresh cilantro and cucumbers, the savory meat of either pork or beef, and the crunchy pickled daikon and carrot. Offering the same mouth feel and unique flavor as the famous traditional Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi bites is a dish to consider and a strong contender for your next game day gathering.