Bahn Mi Tacos
If you’ve ever savored the amazing flavors of a Bahn Mi sandwich, you know it’s an experience like no other. The perfectly marinated meat, tangy pickled carrots, daikon radishes, crunchy cucumbers, aromatic herbs, and creamy aioli creates sheer heaven in each bite. But imagine taking that heavenly experience to a whole new level—introducing Bahn Mi Tacos!
Bahn Mi Tacos
Ah, the beloved Bahn Mi—Vietnam’s gift to the world of sandwiches! If you ever had the pleasure of tasting this traditional Vietnamese street food, you know there’s something truly magical and delicious about it. If not, you are in for a treat.
What is a traditional vietnamese bahn mi?
A traditional Vietnamese Bahn Mi is a sandwich that typically consists of a crusty French baguette, but in todays recipe I swapped it out for a soft flour tortilla. Traditionally, it features marinated and grilled meats such as pork, chicken, or beef.
The classic Bahn Mi often includes pickled carrots, daikon radishes, cucumber slices, and sprigs of fresh cilantro. A dash of fiery jalapenos adds a spicy kick for those who enjoy a bit of heat. Additionally, some versions may include a smear of rich pâté or mayonnaise, here I use a sriracha aioli.
Bahn Mi Taco Ingredients
At the core of a Bahn Mi Taco lies the fusion of fresh and pickled vegetables, marinated meats, and zesty condiments creates a ton of flavor with every bite. While the ingredient list may seem long, its a simple recipe that can be put together fairly quickly. Here’s what you’ll need.
- Shallots
- Lemongrass
- Fish Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Lime
- Honey
- Hoisin
- Ginger
- Sesami Oil
- Sriracha
- Chinese Five Spice
- Soy Sauce
- Maple Syrup
- MSG
How to pickle carrots & daikon radishes
Pickling carrots and daikon radishes adds a burst of tangy flavor to these bahn mi tacos but also preserves these vibrant vegetables for a pretty long time. Whether you’re looking to elevate your Bahn Mi Tacos or simply seeking a zesty condiment to complement your meals, homemade pickled carrots and daikon radishes are a perfect choice.
- Wash the carrots and daikon radishes thoroughly under cold water, peel them. Next, using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, julienne the carrots and daikon into thin, uniform strips. You can also cut them into thin rounds.
- In a bot, prepare the pickling brine by combining water, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Allow to come to a boil and stir until the sugar and salt has completely dissolved.
- Once the pickling brine is ready, place the julienned carrots and daikon radishes into clean, sterilized jars. Pour the brine over the vegetables, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the jars tightly and let cool at room temperature before refrigerating them for at least a few hours, preferably overnight.
- After the pickling process, your homemade pickled carrots and daikon radishes are ready to add a tangy kick to your Bahn Mi Tacos. They can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.
I hope you’ll love these bahn mi tacos as much as I do! If you do make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Also, feel free to share them on social media, I’d love to see how they came out. Enjoy, friends!!
Bahn Mi Tacos
Ingredients
Pork Marinade
- 1 ½ lb pork tenderloin (thinly slice)
- 2 shallots (chopped)
- ¼ cup lemongrass (chopped)
- ⅓ cup fish sauce
- 5 garlic cloves (smashed)
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1" chunk ginger (chopped)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sambal
- ¼ tsp chinese five spice
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- ¼ tsp msg (optional)
Pickled Carrot & Daikon Radish
- 1 cup carrots (julienned)
- 1 cup daikon radish (julienned)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup rice wine vinegar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Sriracha Mayo
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- zest of a lime
- ¼ tsp fish sauce
Other Ingredients
- 5 small cucumbers (sliced)
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch mint
- 3 jalapenos (sliced)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the pork marinade until well mixed.
- Add the pork to the bowl and coat it thoroughly with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Refrigerate the pickled carrots and daikon radishes for 24 hours. [Refer to the pickling instructions in the blog post above]
- Preheat your grill pan or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork until it's nicely charred and cooked through (about 2-3 minutes per side). Discard the remaining marinade.
- In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the sriracha mayo until well combined.
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they are fully heated through.
- Lay a warm tortilla on a clean surface. Spread a generous amount of sriracha mayo on the tortilla.
- Top with a layer of pickled carrots and daikon radishes, followed by sliced cucumber. Add the grilled pork on top, and garnish with fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and sliced jalapeno.
- Fold the tortilla over the fillings to form a taco and serve immediately.