From Pho to Vermicelli to Banh Mi: Stellar St. Louis Vietnamese Food
Looking for fresh and fast Vietnamese food in St. Louis? DD Mau has you covered. All of our dishes are inspired by authentic Vietnamese recipes, with our own unique innovative touches. Our selection is varied, with options for all kinds of tastes and diets.
Read on for more info about some of our classic Vietnamese dishes, and a few of our more unique offerings as well.
pho
The banh mi sandwich originated in Saigon in the 1950s. Prior to that, Vietnam had long been a French colony. During this time of colonialism, the French baguette was introduced, and became a major part of the Vietnamese diet. For a long time, the Vietnamese ate baguettes in much the same way as the French: served alongside a platter of meats, cheeses, and butter.
But the banh mi sandwich changed that. Mr. and Mrs. Le are credited with creating the first banh mi sandwich in Saigon. They took those same ingredients that had been eaten for decades (baguette, meats, cheeses) but made them portable, by sandwiching the other ingredients inside the bread.
The sandwich quickly grew in popularity. It wasn’t long before it was the featured dish of food carts and restaurants all across the country. And then later, after the fall of Saigon in 1975, it began to spread across the rest of the world as well. People across the globe were introduced to, and took a liking to, the banh mi sandwich.
Vermicelli bowls
A banh mi traditionally is composed of a handful of ingredients: bread, meat, vegetables, and condiments. The bread is a Vietnamese baguette, which is characterized by a thin, crispy crust and airy crumb inside. Meats can vary greatly between establishments, but generally a collection of cold cuts is considered to be the most traditional filling for a banh mi. Vegetables like cucumber slices, cilantro, and shredded carrots and radishes are the most common. The condiments on a banh mi can again vary, but spicy chili sauce and mayonnaise are a couple of the most widely used.
Banh Mi
Banh Mi sandwiches are a Vietnamese street food staple. In their original form, they were usually made with cold cuts. That is one of the many varieties of Banh Mi available on our menu today. You can get cold cuts, beef, or even a vegan Banh Mi at DD Mau. These Vietnamese sandwiches make for a perfect weekday lunch during work, or a delicious weekend treat.
We have all these great Vietnamese eats and so much more at DD Mau! We serve up all kinds of unique Vietnamese fare at both of our St. Louis restaurant locations. Don’t miss our appetizers like Crab Rangoon or Vegan Cheese Rolls, sweets like Sesame Balls or Vietnamese Churros, or beverages like boba tea and smoothies*. Fresh ingredients, authentic recipes, and fast and friendly service. That’s what we’re all about at DD Mau!
*Boba tea is available only at Webster Groves location