How to make Vietnamese bread at home

Vietnamese bread has become a symbol of street food, loved by many people for its unique flavor, crispy crust and soft inside. If you love this dish and want to make your own bread at home, this article will guide you on how to make Vietnamese bread simply and in detail, helping you to create delicious bread like in the store.

1. Ingredients to Prepare

Before you begin, prepare the following ingredients:

• 300g all purpose flour
• 5g yeast (dry yeast)
• 180ml warm water (about 40°C)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• 1 egg white (to brush on the cake)

With these basic ingredients, you can easily start making Vietnamese bread at home.

2. Steps to Make Vietnamese Bread

Making Vietnamese bread involves many steps, but if you follow the correct procedure, you will have delicious, golden-brown bread with a crispy crust and soft inside. Let’s start with the following steps:

Step 1: Activate Yeast

Dissolve 5g of dry yeast in 180ml of warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir well and let the yeast rest for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast expands and bubbles appear on the surface. This is an important step for the yeast to work well, helping the bread rise evenly when baking.

Step 2: Knead the Dough

In a large bowl, mix 300g of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the activated yeast. Add 1 teaspoon of oil and start kneading the dough. Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and no longer sticky.

If you have a dough mixer, use it to save time and effort. Make sure the dough is well kneaded and elastic so that when baked, the bread will have a chewy texture and a light, airy crumb.

Step 3: Ferment the Dough

Place the dough in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel. Let the dough rise at room temperature for about 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size. If the weather is cold, you can let the dough rise in a low oven (about 30-35°C).

Step 4: Shape the Bread

Once the dough has risen, punch it down lightly to release the air. Divide the dough into small portions, each about 80-100g depending on the size of the cake you want. Use your hands to gently shape the dough into a long oval (or round shape as desired), making sure to knead it firmly so that the cake does not collapse when baked.

Place the dough pieces on a baking tray lined with baking paper or lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes to allow the dough to rise.

Step 5: Brush Egg Whites and Score Cake

Before baking, use a sharp knife to lightly score a long line on the surface of the bread. This step helps the bread rise beautifully when baked. Then, use a brush to brush a layer of egg white on the surface of the bread to create shine and help the bread have a beautiful golden color when cooked.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Preheat the oven to 220°C for about 10 minutes before baking. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the cake has risen, the crust is crispy and has a nice golden color.

To make the bread crust crispier, you can place a small tray of water at the bottom of the oven while baking, the steam will help moisten the bread. When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a rack.

3. Tips for Making Delicious Crispy Vietnamese Bread

Here are some tips to help you make delicious, crispy Vietnamese bread at home and succeed right from the first time:

• Use quality yeast: Yeast is the key to making your bread rise and soft. Choose good quality dry yeast and activate it properly to ensure it works effectively.
• Knead the dough well: Kneading is essential to making bread soft and chewy. If possible, knead the dough for at least 10-15 minutes to ensure the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Let the dough rise long enough: The proofing process helps the dough rise evenly and achieve a fluffy texture. Do not shorten the proofing time, be patient and wait for the dough to double in size before baking.
• Score the cake before baking: Scoring the bread helps it rise beautifully when baked and creates the characteristic shape of Vietnamese bread. Use a sharp knife to lightly score the surface of the bread.
• Place a tray of water in the oven when baking: The water tray helps create moisture in the oven, making the crust crispier without drying out.

4. How to Enjoy Vietnamese Bread

Vietnamese bread can be eaten plain, or with a variety of fillings. Here are some popular ways to enjoy it:

Cold Meat Sandwich

This is the most popular type of banh mi in Vietnam, with a filling of cold cuts, pork sausage, pate, served with cucumber, coriander, pickles (carrots, radishes), and a special sauce. This dish brings a rich flavor and a perfect combination of ingredients.

Egg Bread

Egg sandwiches are a simple yet delicious option. A fried or sunny-side-up egg is placed in a baguette, topped with some fresh vegetables, cucumbers and a spicy sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick and nutritious breakfast.

Meatball Bread

Xiu mai are small minced meatballs cooked in tomato sauce, with a characteristic sweet and sour taste. When eaten with hot crispy bread, xiu mai creates a harmony of flavor and texture, a familiar breakfast dish for many Vietnamese people.

How to make bread

With simple steps and easy-to-find ingredients, you can completely make Vietnamese bread at home. Although it is a simple dish, Vietnamese bread carries within it the richness of flavor and cultural value of the country. Try making Vietnamese bread to experience the fun and results from your own hands. Surely you will have hot, crispy, fragrant bread that is no less than in the store.