The Baguette Revolution: Banh Mi, Num Pang, and a Thai Sandwich Challenge

A new Cambodian Num Pang counter in Bangkok sparked an idea to compare Southeast Asia's three iconic sandwiches- the Num Pang, the Lao Khao Jee Pate, and of course, the Banh Mi. But a surprise rainstorm and some unexpected issues with filming caused the idea to change and expand in scope- covering the European history of baguettes, rebellions across the old French colonial empire, the story of sandwiches, and finally, an exploration of what might happen if the best Thai chefs made their own attempts at creating a Thai baguette masterpiece.
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0:00 - Introduction
1:10 - Fusion Food
5:17 - The Banh Mi
7:02 - Banh Mi History
11:43 - Dogs
12:57 - Baguettes Across the Empire
15:13 - Cambodian Num Pang
17:51 - Rain Part 1
18:56 - The History of the Sandwich
22:44 - Parisian Sandwiches
24:37 - The Austrian Origins
27:56 - Rain Part 2
29:18 - The Sandwich Takes Over
32:45 - Khao Jee Pate and Buying Bread
35:33 - Pad Kaprao and Satay Sandwiches
37:44 - Satay and Royal Thai Curry Sandwiches
40:26 - The Isaan Nam Tok Sandwich
42:53 - Chef Gaa's Moo Krob Sandwich
45:31 - Conclusion
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Video Credits:
• How Master Chef Kyle C...
• Easy Street Tacos Reci...
• How to Make Korean Sho...
• How To Make Banh Mi wi...
• How to Make Vietnamese...
• 🇻🇳 NEXT Level Banh Mi ...
• Anthony Bourdain - Ban...
• Anthony Bourdain A Coo...
• Chicago's Best Asian F...
• What is an American Gr...
• Scenes Of Indo-China -...
• Sài Gòn vào những năm ...
• World war 1 footage co...
• Real Footage filmed du...
• Saigon Những Năm 1900-...
• Stock footage of Saigo...
• Saigon 1940- 1950
• Sài Gòn vào những năm ...
• Where to eat Hoi An - ...
• Best Khao jee pâté in ...

[@OTRontheroad]

Ok...locations for this week: 1- Banh Mi: maps.app.goo.gl/kz9tZwmjYFybj2vJ6 (it's not the best Banh Mi I've had in the city, we'd never been here prior to filming- but Boris, who used to live in Vietnam, reports that their Pho is sensational.) 2- Num Pang Khmer: maps.app.goo.gl/uWo1njSJfERVmusG6 3- French Boulangerie: maps.app.goo.gl/QSLbBTwaWJMhHK4U7 4- Austrian Bakery: maps.app.goo.gl/6o4JKF8p7ycDfUPN6 5- Lao Khao Jee Pate: maps.app.goo.gl/fDbXXM9DuxCj7vGs6 6- Pad Thai Savoey (First Thai Sandwiches): maps.app.goo.gl/xkdfN18L6iFEuC7Q6 7- Kiew Kai Ka: maps.app.goo.gl/SF3JKR8gXguZksUbA 8- Boonlang: maps.app.goo.gl/oLm2qt7uDYrRgC3b7 9- Chef Gaa: maps.app.goo.gl/5kBh3EQ2ryMjWdhFA Cheers all!

[@simonk5571]

minute 22:30. which one is that?

[@simonk5571]

oh it literally shows the name of the restaurant in the time stamp lol

[@kingwenceslas4225]

Omg you opened Pandora’s box by last part of video. Can you imagine all the possibilities that let’s say western food (not only) could be turned Thai twist?

[@mono2go]

This is the only channel that consistently makes >45 min videos that are so good I have to make time to watch.

[@dikbozo]

I see these videos as part of my new 2 and a half hour lunch schedule. They definitely will help answer the question of what to eat.

[@beammeupscotty1955]

I didn't realize it was that long, it flew by.

[@bifcake]

Dude!! I can't tell you how much I love your channel. I've been living in Thailand for the last 15 years and I've seen a lot of TV shows and KZbin channels about Thailand. Yours is the first one that does Thailand justice and funny enough, it's really about food. Kudos to you and your great staff. The camera work is top notch. Boris deserves a lot of credit.

[@icy2527]

Eating while decoding the cause of dog barking. This is true masterpiece.

[@BartonHNewell]

It's cool to see you mention all the places baguettes ended up. Here in Louisiana we have Baguettes as well that get used in Po Boys and other various sandwiches. We even have a food here called a pistolette which is basically if you took raw baguette dough, stuffed it with cheese and crawfish, and then deep fried it. Fun side note: Baguette is French for 'wand', and if you're ever at a Chinese restaurant in France you will be asked if you want 'baguettes' on the side- they aren't asking about a side of bread, but chopsticks, or 'wands'.

[@EllisWR]

Bánh Mí & Cà Phê Nâu is just life 🇻🇳

[@chithiennguyen1371]

It's Bánh Mì not Bánh Mí

[@lapprentice]

​@@chithiennguyen1371okay Grammar police! You got your point, now, eat your banh mi

[@dikbozo]

It seems to me, the abolition of the 2 and half hour lunch break was a step back from true civility.

[@baojhoang7242]

Yes and no. Some schools around the world and countries still have long lunch hours. If I am not paid for lunch break, then I would rather take a short lunch and go home early.

[@charaznable8072]

Vietnams baguettes are so amazingly delicious, it's light and airy and so crispy I really prefer it over the thick and doughy baguettes.

[@ChineseKiwi]

Interesting. Also, anyone in Australia and New Zealand knows if a local independent bakery is Cambodian or Vietnamese, you KNOW it will be good! In fact, two of the most well known award winning bakeries for their meat pies in New Zealand (which even Australians rate better than Australian meat pies) are owned by....a Cambodian and an Austrian. New Zealand style pies typically have a thicker bottom pastry base than Australian ones.

[@kenyk1254]

Yeah Cambodian bakeries are consistent winners in New Zealand's Supreme Pie Awards

[@Abc-ii1he]

I will never not be impressed by your ability to eat so much food in 12 hours. All of this food looks extremely delicious, but even with such food, I know I have my physiological limits.

[@Niksg9424]

Just goy home from my job baking bread all night, time to watch a video all about bread lol Love yall, patreon for you guys is the best money I've spent 👍

[@OTRontheroad]

Thanks so much. It is incredibly helpful and the channel definitely wouldn’t have made it to this point without Patreon supporters.

[@michaelbeavis6634]

My days in Thailand will always be the best days of my life. The street food is just sublime

[@rodsands7646]

Your channel is better than any history book on SE Asia😇

[@neztoro24]

The impromptu baguette challenge is an instant classic OTR adventure video

[@thangnguyenvan7863]

I say this as a Vietnamese, the last one, #6, is one of closet variety of our beloved Banh Mi in Central Vietnam. Same ingredients, same technique, that same charcoal smoke, might be different in spices tho. Amazing! We are truly foody friends. Love Thai, from Vietnam.

[@doncasto8520]

I'm a huge fan of Banh Mi. Fortunately there is a sizable Vietnamese community here, but I've also made my own. I was fortunate enough to go to Vietnam about 8 years ago and had the real thing. Iconic sandwich

[@AHG1347]

This was a another great OTR episode. Now imagine a Hat Yai Chicken Sandwich with boneless, skin on chicken thighs, Jackfruit slaw and Kaffir (Makrut) Lime or a Hor Mok Sandwich with fried blue crab & crispy shallots.

[@klom15thailand]

เอาขนมปังไปกินกะกับข้าว มันไปกันได้อย่างรัย

[@Loremipsum555]

Good god. Never was a sandwich person-always considered them lazy-but this episode and your proposal is making me hungry!!!!!!

[@noreenneu837]

What a great video guys! A perfect “fusion” of history, food ,comedy and Bangkok locations. Love your channel!

[@Remcore020]

Speaking of brilliant crossovers, i had these brilliant rendang filled steamed buns in malaysia. Like a cha siu bao but with rendang instead. A MA ZING

[@balexwilcox]

Fantastic episode, as usual. As I live in Thailand I'm looking forward to trying all these baguette sandwich places. Oh, let me add that I'm really impressed by the historical research to do for each of these episodes.

[@IvanNguyen-ky6nn]

Australian has a thing for crispy pork banh mi. We love it so much that we even have a fb group dedicated for banh mi lovers: Banh Mi appreciation

[@ChineseKiwi]

Haha, I wasn't going to mention that FB group but of course someone did LOL. But yes, crispy pork Banh Mi is definitely the favourite down under. Australia has the highest per capita Vietnamese population in a Western country - even more than the US or France - so that helps.

[@shaunashton9744]

​@ChineseKiwi For some reason I think that Vietnamese food really suits Australia, maybe it's just the climate.

[@ChineseKiwi]

@@shaunashton9744 much more the assimilation of culture due to what I said.

[@NatalliaNemes]

Love your content! Keep it coming. ❤🙌

[@baojhoang7242]

I have not enjoy a show about food since the great Anthony Bourdain. The Food Network or Netflix should give this guy a call.

[@eswillie]

Every time I comment, I find myself saying that this is your best yet. This was special, enlightening, and made me hungry all over again. Thanks, Adam and Daria.

[@mjpenn7]

Love the ideas sir! As someone who is passionate about food and food adventures your channel is a treat. And of course I'm not surprised that the chef's at the Thai place asked "with no notice" to make a thai sandwich were smiling ear to ear at the excitement of creating something new. Fabulous!

[@sts0868]

I love love loved the idea of the challenge!!

[@zeylahs]

Cambodian called it nhom pung pate, not just nhom pung. Nhom pung is literally translated to just "bread".

[@OTRontheroad]

yes, just as Banh Mi is just Vietnamese for "bread", too. It's the colloquial way to say it, and Num Pang is the usual term now as the sandwich spreads around the world. But you're right that it should technically be a "Num Pang Pate"

[@atlantis5574]

Great video as always! I bet those chefs had a lot of fun making those delicious sandwiches for you too. 🤣

[@billwaller7399]

The first Banh Mi I had was in September 1967 in Saigon and it is the best sandwich I have ever had.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

time to come back now, Saigon still has some of the best in Vietnam

[@danielbach6900]

I believed the first banh mi originated in Sai Gon.

[@ozilan7284]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2320">38:40</a> actually, due to colonial past, Indonesian style sate chicken is a filling for sandwiches in the Netherlands, even in "traditional" dutch shops!

[@Sok612]

I'm Cambodian, so I'm here for all the Num Pang and Banh mi. Also the world especially Southeast Asia could all agree 🖕🇫🇷

[@kvanly]

It is very enjoyable video to watch! You went extra miles to shed lights on the history of baguette.

[@advantasian]

As an Austrian I didn't know baguette was from Austria 😆🤣 There's always sth to learn right. Btw... Thank you for all that effort to throw in the location links. You were raving about Chef Gaa's Moo Grawb so many times now - really need to go there when in Bangkok next time.

[@ChibiQilin]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="95">1:35</a> "... and I feel no shame" I love fusion. The only shame people should feel for adapting great food into new cuisine is when they mark it up 10x the cost because it's exotic. Especially for things that are supposed to be cheap and affordable.

[@ChineseKiwi]

Australia has the highest per capita Vietnamese population in a Western country - even more than the US or France - oh we have good Banh Mi and Vietnamese food places indeed! Ha, there's even a nationwide Vietnamese fast food franchise here! It's like what Taco Bell is to Mexican food as an analogy. Lower end stuff. It's called 'Roll'd'.

[@ep4704]

I want to eat it all… wow! seriously you all have an amazing show here. Please keep these coming. Love the interplay of real local places and food history.

[@cronoz-sensei4259]

Shoutouts to Banh Mi the dog, such a sweet pupper. Made my day honestly.

[@MrSsayasit]

thank you so much for the shoutout!!

[@tkts6672]

ive never been this early to an OTR video and it feels very good to be fast

[@foodtaliban]

Why not become a member and get it even faster. 😉

[@nathalia7104]

It's hard to find a good Sandwich place in Thailand. I think the main reason is because Thais just don't eat much hard bread. They like soft bread, so those Japanese or Korean style sandwiches are more preferred. But nothing will replace their rice. Most of Thai food and seasonings are made to eat with rice because of the strong taste. So, thais haven't grasped the concept of making sandwiches yet. But I hope , as a sandwiches lover, sandwiches will grow more popularity in the future. I even dreamed of opening a grilled sandwich restaurant in Thailand 😅

[@goldenfish2612]

Bánh mì bơ đường, bánh mì mỡ hành, bánh mì chiên tôm, bánh mì bò kho, bánh mì sữa đặc, bánh mì chảo, bánh mì xíu mại, cà ri, bò kho, hải sản,..... Và hàng chục loại bánh mì kẹp khác. Việt nam là đất nước có nhiều món baguette nhất châu á, hãy đi học và mang về thái

[@darthguilder1923]

I like the point about how we have much more flexibility and availability of ingredients now, in a way I think a lot of cuisines are defined by restrictions which strangely enough leads to more creativity, but there’s no reason to not mix things up every once and awhile

[@emlary7]

Thought I was the only one who brings banh mi bread to non-banh mi serving locations so that I could have different stuffing. Turns out I'm NOT, haha. Always love the firm texture which goes well with a widdddde range of ingredients and flavors. My local favorite is banh mi with stir-fried ganba fungus. Thanks for the compilation video, reminds me of so many good culinary memories during my travels through Southeast Asia.

[@SecondProtagonist]

Great video again Thank you OTR

[@derreiskoch]

❤Thank you for another great show!

[@foodtaliban]

Larb Moo Baguette! - There's a restaurant in Bangkok that takes one of the Thais most beloved dishes to a new level by serving it in a baguette. You can have it both the classic way or fried (Laab Tod)

[@beammeupscotty1955]

Awesome work, once again. The first half or so of this story seemed almost like James Burke"s "Connections" television show. Coming up with the thai sandwich angle was genius. I could almost taste the Nam Jim Jaew sauce on that Nam Tok sandwich. I used to call it "super sauce" when my now ex Thai wife made it for me. You are a stunning story teller.

[@mitspeiler]

-adjusts nerd glasses- actually, while the telera is used for tortas, it's a soft, round roll. the baguette-type loaf that's also used for tortas is called a bolillo.

[@jefft7978]

So interesting! Amazing vid!

[@arrobaolmedo]

I just found your videos and I love them. Awesome work!

[@mr.cookie7308]

The Banh Mi or whatever version you like has taken the western sandwhich to another level. If you have not tried it, please do and you will discover a new religion.

[@E_O_S_]

No it hasn't are u out of ur mind nothing beats the bread and ingredients in west Europe from Ireland England France down to Spain n Portugal Italy FFs,d absolute state of that Vietnamese sausage meat 😂😂

[@EarthCamper]

Every episode is masterpiece ❤🎉 Every time it brings tears of joy...

[@nickbangkok3365]

Sisig fajitas? I lost concentration at that point! Dude...that's fire

[@stephanieray6587]

It took me a minute to appreciate your channel ('what, he is in just one city'?!) but now am a huge fan. It's easy to be blasé and sophisticated now with so much online, but I was introduced to Indian food by a coworker in the 1990's, and to Vietnamese Banh Mi by another co-worker about ten years ago, and have been so grateful for that ever since. Thanks for breakin' it all down for us, Adam!

[@AllanEdwin]

Seeing Chef Gaa's moo krob sandwich made me laugh out loud in delight. OH YEAH. I loved the last part of the video with all the different creations. Wow. Talk about challenging people to up their sandwich game!

[@edgulart]

Guys, yesterday I read "sandwiches", saw the pic of some random banh mi and though "nah, got no patience for such a banal-themed documentary...". Poor me... You made art from scratch when you bought that bread. Congrats 👌🏿

[@eccentricbeliever7]

Daria been hitting the gym, *hard*

[@pushslice]

Noticed that too; transformed!

[@etpe4830]

your videos are so fascinating!

[@MB-hx9sz]

Great as allways!

[@dumnub6824]

God I love your vids. Phenomenal!

[@carltomacruz9138]

This is a welcome surprise, Adam!

[@slayer2450]

This is a really good video

[@Kokkikoulussa]

I could cry only - This is perfect Episode of Mix of everything about "simple" Sandwich... Very well done (my very personal opinion)...

[@akalangkadezoysa3475]

Every episode is a journey through a culinary encyclopedia ....priceless

[@foreverblue1646]

Those Thai created banh mi are missing one of the most essential things that make a banh mi, the different textures. There's no cucumbers or pickled radish/carrots. The crunch factor.

[@Tazallax]

Loved seeing how proud the chefs were of their "in the fly" sandwiches!

[@somefishhere]

The crunch of each bite. Oooo lovely

[@toyshanger8945]

You be in for a shock to see the banh mi here in Australia, in Perth we have roast pork, roast duck, wagyu beef banh mi. We have definitely advanced beyond the traditional.

[@ChineseKiwi]

Banh Mi in Vietnam itself has a lot more than that too. 'Max McFarlin' and his KZbin channel shows this well. He lives in Vietnam and speaks near fluent Vietnamese. and OTR comments on this about 23:20 in.

[@foodtaliban]

Cool! I know a place in BKK that have one with Larb Moo ..

[@user-xh2yg4uv9q]

I have found I enjoy this channel more and more.

[@1MrBryn]

My favourite local Bahn Mi shop has one with grilled fish cake inside. It's amazing

[@ChineseKiwi]

Grilled fish cake is highly underrated by those who are not Asian. Every Asian know how good it is LOL

[@foodtaliban]

I know a place in BKK that have one with Larb Moo ..

[@afptoronto1]

When I first started watching your channel I assume you shot over multiple days. Now that I know that often it's just one day, I have one question: HOW DO YOU EAT SO MUCH?!? (Great work as always btw!)

[@lapprentice]

Hi Adam, great documentary about the banh mi. I'm Vietnamese, born and raised with banh mi. To me, banh mi has been always there and obviously makes sense, I never thought it has a deep history when we go down the rabbit. I must add that the Chinese Bao or Bao, in a sense, is the East equivalent of the baguette in the West. Bao is made of rice flour because East grows tons of it; Bao are for the people eat on the go; Bao can accommodate with any kinds of fillings (beef, pork, veggie, etc. etc) depending on the availability of local ingredients. Could you imagine a world in which "the colonization went the otherway which the East colonized the West." I would betcha that we would have Bao mixed into Western Cuisine and we would have had Bao with cheese, and traditional Western fillings!

[@raecoffey]

This video made me want a sandwich so bad I had to go to the nearest sandwich shop just to satisfy the suddenly intense craving lol

[@user-bi3oo5cj4e]

At the beginning of the vid I thought Chef Gaa's Moo Krob would make the best Banh Mi !!!. Another great episode. Thanks team. Nice haircut Daria.

[@woolfel]

thank you. a fascinating story.

[@thaipaulnow]

We stopped by Pho Nakhon Phanom too and my mom loves the bread and bought extra home too 😂 Thanks Gary Butler for the recommendation

[@thaipaulnow]

We were eyeing Pad Thai Savoey too when we went there. Definitely gonna stop by next time.

[@gabriellakadar]

Fascinating. Thank you for your work. I should have moved to Bangkok. It's truly amazing how everything from all over the world is represented there. What I find interesting is how restaurants over there succeed without having to rely on selling alcohol. They can survive on food sales alone.

[@levinicusrex1006]

As a Vietnamese myself, baguettes are not just used in banh mi but also other dishes such as bo kho and ca ri ga (chicken curry) where it is dipped in

[@Nyhilist_]

First time hearing sisig fajitas but that's genius

[@switch2361]

IMO, Banh Mi is hands down the best sandwich ever.

[@timspare80]

Nothing beats a good banh mi with crispy pork, chili and that amazing pork patè! 🤤

[@yonvo4482]

Love the Video. I was born in VN grew up in the US. I have now returned to Vietnam to live. I worked in Bangkok in 2015 to 2017. My favorite Thai dish is Kor Moo Yang. I would love to see Kor Moo Yang in a Banh Mi with the pickled carrots and white radish, a little pate. Using the the Kor Moo Yang dipping sauce like a French Dip!

[@bovanshi6564]

... I could really go for a couple of... well anything from this video!

[@BandithThach]

for those curious, Num Pang, literally translates to bread in Khmer. “Pang” is actually just and pronounced the same as “Pain” meaning bread in French. 🇰🇭

[@1978Topel]

Keep em coming

[@TheNurseBetty0]

one of my absolute favourite burger joints was by a place that did burgers of the month. The burger for October was a Thai Green Curry Burger: angus beef patty, cheese, bamboo shoots, very thinly sliced lettuce and a (weak) thai green curry paste mixed with kupi mayo. I had like... 8 of these things over the month they were so good. alas the place changed completely and no longer does burger of the month. so yes, Thai Green Curry in a bun would be amazing

[@user-oz8wg7td5i]

Dear Adam, thank you for a great, informative and interesting video as always, i really enjoy watching your videos. I would love to see you make a video about the origin of the best soup in the world, Khao Soi, a bit like you did about Tom Yum Goong.

[@puggsincyberspace]

I wonder how many of these places will put their creations on the menu. You should check back in a month. Next year in review, you should revisit places and see how they have changed...

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I learned something today. My Mom instilled a love of Reuben sandwiches, and she’s from Omaha.

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

Another great video. Thank you. However, you missed out on an iconic sandwich from Southeast Asia; the Roti John from Singapore and Malaysia. If you want to use a US definition of a "sandwich", you can include the iconic Malay Ramly burger. Something that tends to irritate people is when I tell them that croissants are not French but, like the baguette, Austrian. There are several stories about how they got to France and even originated in the first place.

[@koakie1]

the presenation on some of these thai sandwiches was actually fire.

[@annetaarts1126]

After watching I love to taste all these sandwiches. Will there be a sandwich tour of all these restaurants?

[@EAFSQ9]

OTR F&H literally spawning fusion ideas

[@skyblueo]

I think this and many other episodes are great. I really want to visit Thailand now. What I find genuinely amazing is that the couple who make these videos, who are world-class eaters, don't each weigh 500 pounds. If I ate anywhere near that amount of food, I would look like King Pin from Marvel comics. How does this couple do it?

[@stonewbie5981]

Really enjoying this episode. I've been searching for good bread, non-sweet, to do a serious New Orleans style Muffaletta in Bangkok. My friend in Hong Kong is also looking for good deli bread. Always we have these conservations online several times a year concerning breads. This episode just made me really hungry. Anyway, really enjoyed this episode.

[@NoahSpurrier]

Banh Mi are my favorite sandwiches. There are a bunch of places to get them in San Francisco.

[@pny0123]

Num pang in Cambodia is the best. Several ingredients with the perfect combination of flavors that tastes like heaven.

[@mylesjude233]

Awesome video mate: Question, think you'll make a video on History of Soy Sauve

[@garyleonardteacher5162]

Really am enjoying

[@lowwall1]

I was excited to see the Nam Tok sandwich. I often make sandwiches from Nam Tok or Yum Nua, if I can't get the Isaan dish. It's the perfect way to stretch this appetizer into a full meal. Put the beef and as much of the vegetables as you want on the bread. Eat the rest as a side salad.

[@whitemountain4851]

I’m a simple man, I see OTR I click

[@dikbozo]

I am a simpler man, I see OTR and I get hungry. No click needed.

[@BluffyMoo]

Love the presentation of the video, Adam. As an American who has spent a deal of time living outside the US, I appreciate the history of the food of topic, and all guests involved. For future videos, I think including more of Daria's views and opinions would be a nice welcoming bonus.