Traditional Pork Meatball Bánh Mì with Pickled Carrot and Daikon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

A classic Vietnamese sandwich combining savory pork meatballs, tangy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and creamy mayo inside a light baguette. This Vietnamese recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground pork, minced garlic, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup julienned daikon radish
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar (for pickling)
• 1 tsp salt (for pickling)
• 1/2 cucumber thinly sliced cucumber
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 loaves light Vietnamese-style baguette

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined and form into 12 small meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add pork meatballs and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
3. Step 3: Prepare quick pickles by combining 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup each of julienned daikon radish and carrots and let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Slice baguettes lengthwise and spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise inside each.
5. Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by layering pork meatballs, pickled vegetables, 1/2 sliced cucumber, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves inside each baguette. Serve immediately.