Hardcore Vietnamese Bánh Mì- The “Bang Me”‘ Fried Egg Recipe
This fried egg banh mi recipe is a real treat if you love crispy fried eggs! 
Fried Egg Banh Mi Recipe
A naughty conversation on Twitterled me to scribble this post in my head. My mental ramblings often distract me from daily priorities and combine that with the power of twitter chit chat, I was pretty worthless for the rest of the day. I adore twitter hard, really hard because it’s enlightened me with new friendships and stimulating discussions that reach the far corners of the world. #Twitter #Love
Bánh Mì, the Vietnamese sandwich that has become a cultural icon, was the topic that excitedly ensued when I put out this twitter tweet to my tweeps (twitter code talk for 140 character jabber): #ShutUpDiane
The Bánh Mì yak and messages that followed was indeed mixed. My fellow Viet’s were giggling with agreement about the Western pronunciation of our beloved sandwich. Others were more apologetic, hoping I could guide them to less embarrassment and correct pronunciation when ordering their next meat-ball, extra pate, hold-the-mayo banh mi. #sandwich #not #sex
But of course, there were the expected return messages that were more focused on the term “Bang Me” that was without any culinary, sandwich or Bánh Mì context. I think I got asked out on a few dates and some marriage proposals were thrown in the twitter message mix. #blushing but #I’mTaken
We’re all adults here (I hope) and my tweet was out of fun and love. I wasn’t really wasn’t making fun of anyone but rather, I was laughing at myself. #SillyDiane
I’ve been known to butcher my other favorite ethnic foods with many pronunciation mistakes, particularly those that go beyond 3 letters. Although I might be bilingual, I still have a life time of linguistics and language studies to pronounce even my most favorite foods respectfully: #Chiliaquiles #SoondoobuJjiggae #Epoisses #CaldoDeCameron
With this twitter conversation about the more authentic pronunciation of “Bánh Mì”, I wasn’t judging anyone’s accent. The holy spirit knows that the Vietnamese language is very difficult to learn, particularly with all the different regional tones. I’m still being corrected by my parents everyday. #Pho #Foe or #Poe?
But what I did focus on was the real meaning behind this hap-hazard pronunciation circling amongst non-Vietnamese as “Bang Me”. Then it all started to make sense to me. #LightBulb!
“Bang Me” was an emotional response to something gloriously appealing, appetizing and orgasmic-ally delicious. Yes, that’s it.
I’ve often had mind-blowing dishes that left me so elated, satisfied and spent that I’d cry out “F&$! Me, that was an amazing meal”. “Holy F*#! that was the best ____ (insert dish) that I’ve ever had!! ” Have you had these thoughts too? Admit it, I know you have. #please #me
So in the same spirit of culinary triumph that transports me to an ecstatic place, I celebrate the mis-pronunciation of Banh Mi as Bang Me. #NotKidding
Saying Bang Me, is like screaming after a 5 hour reveling feast of “F&$! Me” amazing food, drink, conversation and friendship. It’s kind of the same feeling after a long night of steamy hot…….. uh….. #BikramYoga
To make sense of all my rambling and to tame it away from #sex talk, I further made sense of the true definition of Vietnamese Bang Me by creating a recipe for it. A recipe for a Bang Me is one that makes a humble, innocent Banh Mi much more fiercely exciting. And Sexy.
A Bang Me is a Bánh Mì dressed up with a sexy, yolk dripping fried egg that humps the center of the crusty sandwich. #ForgiveMe
Doesn’t fried egg make almost anything better? Top a salad, pizza, pasta or hot rice with a fried egg and it instantly transforms the dish to Bang! Good! When ever I need to dress up a dish to it’s heightened decadent glory, I ask for it fried egg à la mode. What makes me go girl crazy is when the fried egg is lacy crispy around the edges. #PassingOut
Thanks to Twitter, I’ve created a recipe for a Bang Me Bánh Mì. And hopefully after reading this post, everyone will know what the heck you’re talking about.
Now if you all will excuse me, I’ll go take my much needed cold shower now. #whew!
Sincerely, #GoodGirl,
-diane
follow me on Twitter- @WhiteOnRice
The “Bang Me” Bánh Mì
How to Make Vietnamese Banh Mi with Fried Egg
- Vietnamese cold cuts can be found in at Vietnamese supermarkets and delis. Normally they are rolled up in banana leaves or aluminum foil, then you slice them to your desired thickness for the banh mi. Left (light color) is Cha Lua, or pork loaf. Right (pink) is Gio Thu, or headcheese.
I like my fried eggs with crispy edges for more bite.
yes, love my egg edges just like that (above)
rich liver pate is my favorite, add extra for more flavor. Bring it on.
assembly: gather all the ingredients and go to town. layer your fillings. I start with my favorite: headcheese (not a joke)
Go for the gold and add more cold cuts: Cha Lua
add more. you deserve it
pickled carrots and daikon for crunch, tang and bright flavors
don’t forget the cilantro or Vietnamese herbs
dash of soy sauce. But in my case, lots of it
Finally, the “Bang Me” fried egg
add more pate for fun. And flavor. Do it!
Vietnamese Fried Egg Banh Mi Recipe (Banh Mi Trung Op La)- "The Bang Me"
Ingredients
For the Banh Mi assembly (not all required):
- 1 french baguette (soft centered crumb, crispy crust)
- 1/4 pound Vietnamese cold cuts or head cheese Or other meat filling such as Braised Pork Belly
- 8 Fried Eggs
- 1/2 cup pickled carrots and daikon Recipe for carrot/daikon pickles here.
- 12 sprigs fresh cilantro , or to taste
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce , or to taste
- 2 Tablespoons pork liver pate , or to taste
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise , or to taste
- thin slices of chili pepper
- thin slices of cucumber
Instructions
- Slice baguettes lengthwise. Add the ingredients that you want (or like) to the banh mi.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information per Serving
More of my Viet Recipe Mischief:
- BLT Springrolls, I broke the rules. Sorry, Mom.
- Caramel Braised Pork Belly Banh Mi, Nail Shop Eats #4
- Vietnamese Chicken Salad, Nail Shop Eats Competition #3









Thanks for the clarification! What do you think about putting Thit Nguội instead of the Gio Thu? Does the Thit Nguội taste too similar to the Cha Lua that it wouldn’t make sense?Thanks in advance for your input!
Darn. I’m reading this, craving, but remembering that we’re trying to clear out the fridge before vacation… I’m am This Close to running out to the market for these ingredients… Thank you for the recipe.
Hi!
Love the photos on your blog. I have a question about the Gio Thu you used here. When I went to the store, the Gio Thu didn’t have the red colour that you have. Instead it was kind of a clear colour. As well, when I was looking at your fillings for banh mi, I noticed the photos you have for Gio Thu are also clear.
Are there different types of Gio Thu? Because the ham you display in this particular recipe looks absolutely delicious!
Many thanks from Vancouver, Canada!
Sharon,
hello. Yes, it’s very common to find gio thu in a more clear/light brown color too. Every roll is made differently. The light brown color pork roll that you see on the images in this post is cha lua, which is made from ground pork meat. The Gio Thu is a combination of many different pork parts. Hope this helps.
thank you!
d
Tried this really cool Banh Mi on the streets of Hanoi; with pork pate only. And paired with a glass of soy milk. Everyone was practically squatting about chewing on their sandwich. It was that good.
will I ever be as cool as you….
survey says…
Thank you for this absolutely funny post about Banh Mi, I love these crispy edges, too, be it a fried egg or some story unfolding.
Enjoying food is an experience close to enjoying sex (it took me ages now to find the appropriate words), you further prove it the way you take your magnificent pictures!
Mes compliments!
Banh Mi Sandwiches with fried eggs. Genius!!
I know! The name is so funny!! Looks delicious too!
HAHAHA. I am laughing so hard, and I am at work. lol
I was corrected yesterday for spelling ngo om (u know the rice paddy herb) wrong. I guessed the name wrongly because of the southern accents. hehehe. it’s #fun 😛
Bang me too. You’ve given me the push to make my own Banh Mi – I’m in KL and tho so near to Vietnam this great sandwich hasn’t yet arrived to our shores. Reason being good bread is difficult to do well here. Doesn’t mean I can’t try! Fab post:)
Looks great – but it needs freshly cut chilli (peri-peri/birdeye/small ones) to give it that lasting kick.
They’re incredibly popular here in Sydney.
There is one shop which has a 45 minute wait most lunchtimes – and people drive from up to 20 km away just to get these for their working lunch. Top stuff!
I really miss Sydney Banh Mi…its the best I’ve ever had and I ate it every day !!! I moved to Qld and their Banh Mi is on a different planet!! Its always Warm/hot cooked meat…its just not the same!! Theres a place in Newcastle that does the best Banh Mi ever imho… Im driving down in June and thats the first thing I’m having!!
I’m still curious about the actual pronunciation. Heck, it took me years to realize that Pho is not pronounced “faux” and more like “fuh” so now I’m curious. Humorous post too! Thanks for walking us thru the making of this sexy sammich. 😉
You’re too funny! Those were some entertaining tweets that were exchanged a while ago. Mmmm fried egg on a cha & pate banh mi…. definitely sexy!
Except for the fried egg, that’s my favorite Bánh Mì too! And the only reason it’s without the egg is because my favorite joints usually don’t add that. Everyone else goes for the grilled pork or chicken. Give me head cheese, pork roll and pate any day!
LOL! Too funny! I never knew what was in a Vietnamese Bánh Mì until now. Guess I can see why you might call it a “Bang Me”, especially with the fried egg! Thank you for making me laugh this morning. 🙂
my husband and I both agree that a yolky, fried egg makes anything sexier! i love frizzled edged eggs too, perfection. i say “holy f&*k that’s delicious” all the time, i feel ya girl. this post just cracks me up, i’ll probably be saying “bang me” for weeks now.
Cindy- you’re my kinda girl, and reader. Haha, thank you!