After all, my first banh mi was made with just eggs and a baguette. Also, it was the first food that I bought from a street vendor. A street vendor literally sells food on the side of the street. Sometimes, people will sell it at night to make some extra money. Other people are street vendors from sunrise to sunset.
In general, food with fresh ingredients tastes the best. Street vendors take fresh to a whole new level as the food is made in front of you. In the case of trứng banh mi, or egg sandwich, street vendors typically have a frying pan or two on top of a portable electric grill. The second after you order, the vendor will crack an egg or two directly onto the frypan. Instead of using a spatula, most vendors will use two chopsticks to cook the eggs. More often than not, the egg is scrambled. Meanwhile, the vendor toasts part of a baguette. Some street vendors allow you to add vegetables, hot sauce and even cheese. This is another reason why learning the local language is important. It is much easier to ask for what you want instead of pointing to things.
Another important thing to know about Vietnamese food is that spice is everything. At restaurants, you might see chili peppers, hot sauce and other spicy condiments at your table. Before coming to Vietnam, I did not like spicy food. Now, I can't eat banh mi without a ton of spicy ketchup.
Usually, it takes a few minutes for your food to cook. Some street vendors have plastic stools and tables that customers can use while they eat their food.
