photo: Chicken banh mi
From crispy Vietnamese banh mi to savory Malaysian roti John, here is a list of popular Asian sandwiches that are worth the hype.
Banh Mi
Banh mi refers to bread in Vietnamese. Baguette is typically used in banh mi as introduced by the French during colonization1. It is a staple dish among the locals and has gained world-wide recognition1. Banh mi was also featured by CNN Travel in 2017 as one of the must-try dishes in Vietnam2. This crispy sandwichis served at push carts, cafes, and restaurants. Most eateries offer juicy chicken, beef and pork banh mi to diners. Diners can purchase a banh mi in Vienam as low as US$12.
Roti John
Roti John is the go-to sandwich in Malaysia3. It is sold at push carts, hawker centers, food bazaars and many more3. It is believed that this sandwich was first created in Singapore in the late 60s. He used the name John for this dish, a common nickname for Caucasian men, as the dish was a commonly ordered item among Western diners3. The sandwich then made its humble way to Malaysia in the 70s. Roti John is made by using a baguette and soaked in an omelet with minced chicken or beef meat, onions and chilies3.
Kaya Toast
Kaya toast is one of Southeast Asia’s favorite staple breakfast items4. Kaya is a spread made of coconut and sugar. It is used to spread over crispy toast and served with runny soft-boiled eggs as a complete meal4. For instance, Ya Kun Kaya Toast is one of Singapore’s longest running establishments that serve one of the best kaya toasts in town since 19445. One of its signature value set meals include two slices of kaya butter toast with two runny eggs and coffee5. Each meal costs SG$4.80 (US$3.65).
Credits: Ya Kun Kaya Toast
References:
1. Huffington Post. (2017). Banh Mi: The rise of the Vietnamese sandwich. [online] Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-lam/banh-mi-the-rise-of-the-v_b_7794840.html
2. CNN Travel. (2017). Food in Vietnam: 40 delicious dishes you’ll love. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/vietnam-food-dishes/index.html
3. Star2. (2018). 7 popular Asian sandwiches. [online] Available at: https://www.star2.com/food/2018/03/02/7-popular-asian-sandwiches/
4. Buzzfeed. (2013). Around The World In 29 Sandwiches. [online] Available at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexnaidus/around-the-world-in-sandwiches?utm_term=.cj0Wk3nqW#.vjl6kWx56
5. Ya Kun Kaya Toast. (2018). The Ya Kun Story. [online] Available at: http://yakun.com/the-ya-kun-story/history/