ABC News: Why does Vietnamese bread make Australians 'crazy'?

ABC News recently published an article titled “Why are Australians obsessed with banh mi, the Vietnamese roll with the complex history?”, reflecting the growing appeal of Vietnamese banh mi in Australia.

The article opens with a vivid description of the traditional banh mi: Crispy crust, salty pickled vegetables, pate, mayonnaise, coriander, chilli and a rich filling. These elements have made banh mi a favourite choice for Australians at lunch.

Not only stopping at cuisine , the article also delves into the history and culture of the dish.

The article quoted Dr. Anh Nguyen Austen (Australian National University) on the Sunday Extra program saying: "Banh mi is literally just a baguette. But Vietnamese baguette is lighter and fluffier than French baguette, which is related to the climate."

She believes that the combination of pate, pork roll and baguette “is a testament to the Vietnamese people’s ability to preserve their identity and actively integrate. Vietnamese people always know how to turn challenges into opportunities.”

Vietnamese in Australia : Starting a business, succeeding and spreading cultural values

The 1980s marked a turning point when a wave of Vietnamese people came to Australia with aspirations of starting their own businesses. Jasmine Dinh, owner of a bakery in Bankstown, Sydney, said: "Vietnamese business culture is: if you can be your own boss, it is always better than working for someone else."

Initially serving only the Vietnamese community, banh mi has now won over more and more local diners. “Now banh mi has truly become a favorite dish across Australia,” Ms. Dinh proudly said.

Ms. Dinh believes that social media has contributed to the growing popularity of banh mi. (Photo: Isabella Michie/ABC Radio National)

The experience of Ms. Kelly Le, owner of a bakery in Carrum Downs, Victoria, also reflects the process of "enlightening the taste buds" for local customers.

At first, locals confused pho with banh mi, but after enjoying it, they gradually loved this dish and spread the word.

“One person tried it, then went back to the factory to tell his friends, and then the whole group came,” said Kelly Le.

Many customers were initially confused about the origin of the dish, but after getting to know the owner and understanding more about Vietnamese culture, they even decided to travel to Vietnam.

With this spread, from one initial store, Ms. Le now has 5 more stores selling banh mi. This is proof of the miraculous spread of this simple dish.

Dr. Nguyen Austen also shared in a humorous but visual way: "A standard sandwich is one that makes you want to go out to work in the field for a few more hours after eating it. If it doesn't achieve that, it's not real bread."

Spread in local community

Not only a popular street food in urban areas, Vietnamese sandwiches are gradually becoming a "phenomenon" in many rural areas of Australia, where previously people were almost only familiar with fried fish and potatoes.

In Alice Springs, Van Thai Vien Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant who settled in Australia earlier this year, opened a banh mi restaurant after noticing a lack of local food options. “We are willing to explain to them why we use pate, why the banh mi is like this,” he said, showing his perseverance in introducing Vietnamese culinary culture to the local community.

Similarly, Joseph Than brought the sandwich to Tamworth in 2022, despite initially being unknown. The effort has paid off: “We now have customers from Narrabri, Gunnedah, Armidale, even Newcastle, which is fantastic.”

The popularity of similar foods to bread, such as the familiar salad sandwich, partly helps Australians easily accept this dish - Dr. Nguyen Austen commented. (Photo: Isabella Michie/ABC Radio National)

The spread of banh mi goes beyond taste. Dr. Nguyen Austen calls it a form of “watershed effect” – where people gather and chat while waiting to buy bread, like a meeting over a water bottle at the office.

“As remote work becomes more common, we lose those moments of connection. Standing in line at the bakery is also a way to connect with the community,” she said.

Kelly Le (last right) works with her mother and sister in her Vietnamese cafe. (Photo: Kelly Le)

Vietnamese bread has thus become a bridge that brings a sense of intimacy and social connection.

The ABC News article not only celebrates the taste of Vietnamese banh mi, but also recognizes its role as a symbol of cultural exchange, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of the Vietnamese community in Australia. Banh mi is not just a dish, but also a story told through taste.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/abc-news-vi-sao-banh-mi-viet-nam-khien-nguoi-australia-phat-cuong-post287756.html