Some foods stay with you long after the years have passed and for me Bánh mì xíu (Braised Pork Banh mi) from my hometown is one of them.

Vietnam has many kinds of Bánh mì, but this has always been my favorite. Maybe it’s because of the taste or maybe it’s because of the memories that come with it. Back in my school and university days, it was such a familiar meal for so many students. It was simple and affordable but it was always enough to make your stomach full and feel happy.

A good Bánh mì xíu doesn’t need much. It’s just a crispy loaf filled with savory-sweet braised pork, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables and a little chili relish. But when you take a bite all those flavors come together so naturally. You can taste the sweetness of the pork, the slight sourness of the pickles, the heat from the chili and the freshness of the herbs. Somehow, it always reminds me of life itself because there is a little sweetness, a little sourness and a little heat in it too.

Now that I live in Japan, finding a good Bánh mì xíu is not easy, so I usually make it myself whenever I miss it. And every time I eat, it brings me right back to those younger days. It’s just a simple Bánh mì but for me it carries a whole part of my childhood and youth that I still miss.