A German man traveled all over Ho Chi Minh City searching for the best banh mi sandwich, and the result was surprising.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Christian, a visitor from Germany, has piqued the curiosity of many by persistently visiting numerous large and small bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) shops in Ho Chi Minh City with a rather unique goal: to find the best bánh mì in the city.

Searching for the best banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City

Christian Weizenegger (born 1995, German) decided to leave his stable job in Germany and move to Ho Chi Minh City last year. In Vietnam, he created a TikTok channel to share his street food experiences.

In a short time, Christian's channel has attracted over 120,000 followers, with many comments expressing surprise at the German man's culinary expertise and skillful use of chopsticks, just like a native speaker.

Not long ago, Christian visited a shop located in a small alley on Hai Ba Trung Street (Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to enjoy a banh mi sandwich, and also mentioned that he is on a quest to find the best banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City.

Christian enjoys a sandwich at a shop on Hai Ba Trung Street (Photo: Screenshot).

This is his second time returning to this place. According to the German customer, the cafe is associated with many fond memories from his early days adjusting to life in the city.

"The sandwiches here are good, the flavor is decent, but they're not my top choice," Christian commented.

He said he liked the quiet atmosphere of the cafe, the beautiful lighting, and its location in a small alley – perfectly capturing the spirit of Ho Chi Minh City's street food scene. The friendly and lovely staff made it a place where he could relax amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

The image of the German tourist sitting and eating a sandwich in an alleyway has amused many people. Numerous comments suggest that Christian eats, chats, and orders food just like a Vietnamese person.

Since then, many people have become curious about the "bread hunting" journey he is pursuing. According to Christian, this journey began last year when he decided to turn his passion for food into a long-term video series.

The German man was praised for eating Vietnamese banh mi like a native (Photo: Screenshot).

Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , Christian said that banh mi is one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes in the world . “In Europe, many people have never been to Vietnam but they know about banh mi. I think it would be interesting to find the best banh mi and turn that journey into a series of videos,” he said.

What makes a loaf of bread appealing?

Not limited to Ho Chi Minh City, Christian has tried banh mi in many other locations such as Hanoi, Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Ninh Binh, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An (Da Nang) and Phu Quoc (An Giang).

After trying many different types of banh mi in various places, the German visitor said that a roasted pork banh mi in Da Nang left a particularly strong impression on him because of its rich flavor and the meat retaining its crispiness. However, overall, the banh mi in Ho Chi Minh City was the most satisfying for Christian.

His favorite banh mi is located in the former District 10 (now reorganized into new wards), with a well-balanced flavor. Right after that is a small banh mi shop in the Cholon market area of ​​the former District 5 (now reorganized into new wards), in the Chinese community area.

According to Christian, pâté is the most important factor determining the quality of a sandwich. For him, a good sandwich isn't about putting a lot of meat in it.

"A proper sandwich needs balance. The ratio of pickles, fresh vegetables, and meat must be harmonious. Some famous places, especially those catering to tourists, often put too much meat, which makes the sandwich less delicious," he shared.

Christian believes that pâté plays a crucial role in creating the flavor of bread (Image: Screenshot).

Christian also emphasized the importance of homemade pâté, spices, and the freshness of the bread. If it's a roasted pork sandwich, the meat must still be crispy. When all the elements combine correctly, the sandwich is truly complete.

Comparing Vietnamese banh mi to sandwiches in Germany in particular, or Europe in general, Christian believes the differences are very clear.

"Sandwiches in Europe are often quite simple, sometimes a bit bland. Meanwhile, Vietnamese sandwiches have more layers of flavor, are meticulously prepared, and possess a rich, unique character," he said, expressing his admiration for how Vietnamese cuisine transforms simple ingredients into appealing dishes.

Christian wants to have a long-term commitment to Vietnam (Photo: Facebook of the person).

Christian isn't a big bread eater; even when he lived in Germany, he preferred rice and noodle dishes. However, he affirms that he will continue his journey of enjoying bread throughout Ho Chi Minh City.

In the near future, he wants to spend time exploring more bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) shops in Hanoi – places he hasn't had the chance to try before.

Christian lived in Vietnam for about nine months. Before moving permanently to the country, he had visited Vietnam three times in just his first year in Asia.

“I love the people, the culture, and especially the food in Vietnam. Over time, I've realized that this place makes me feel at home, even more so than Germany,” Christian shared about his decision to settle in Vietnam long-term.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/chang-trai-duc-di-khap-tphcm-tim-o-banh-mi-ngon-nhat-ket-qua-gay-bat-ngo-20260209170705431.htm