Feb 4, 2023
Written By: J.Couch
Vinh Xuong Bakery in Denver, Colorado is a hidden gem for food lovers seeking a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. This small bakery offers a variety of traditional dishes, including one of our most favorite items, the Tofu Banh Mi, minus the mayonnaise, of course. This is our go to meal, at least once a month. We have made it a habit to get these to go when we are headed out of town to go camping in the summer. It is a great meal just after you have set up camp and don’t want to fix a big dinner meal and just relax.
Banh Mi is a popular street food in Vietnam that consists of a baguette filled with various ingredients such as pickled vegetables, herbs, meat, and sauces. The Tofu Banh Mi is a vegetarian version of the classic sandwich, made with crispy tofu instead of meat. But if you minus the mayonnaise then it becomes a vegan version for us.
The baguette is freshly baked and has a crisp exterior with a soft, airy interior. The tofu is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pickled vegetables include sliced carrots, cucumber, and jalapenos, all lightly pickled for a tangy, crunchy texture. The fresh herbs, such as cilantro and basil, add a pop of fresh flavor to the sandwich. The sauces used in the Tofu Banh Mi are a blend of savory, spicy, and sweet, making for a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. If dining in, they offer more pickled jalapenos and spicy sauce to spice it up even more, at a little self-serve station. I think you can request them to go as well. This time we stepped out of our box and tried the Che Dau, coconut milk, sweet rice, sugar, salt and black-eyed peas. It was not bad but has a cold beans and rice taste with a sweet after taste. Similar to the popular mango and sticky rice dessert, minus the beans and mango.
The Tofu Banh Mi is by far our favorite, I am sure that there are many more favorites for non-vegan/vegetarian but it is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and unique sandwich experience. Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for a new twist on the classic Banh Mi, this sandwich is sure to satisfy.
So next time you’re in Denver, make sure to stop by and give their Tofu Banh Mi a try! You won’t be disappointed. We will be back again soon for sure, camping season is fast approaching.
Thanks for wandering with us,
The Wandering Couchs
