Marinade

1. In a bowl, combine the fish sauce, oyster sauce, lime zest and juice, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, ground ginger, garlic powder, Chinese 5 spice, and ground coriander. Mix well.
2. Slice the roasted pork into thin slices or pull it apart with forks, depending on the version you are using. Place the pieces in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it’s well coated and cover with a lid or cling film. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but longer is better for more flavour. I’m using a Pyrex dish for this, as it can go straight into the Air Fryer, which I set to 190C/400F.
3. After marinating, heat a pan, oven, or air fryer. Cook the marinated pork slices for a few minutes on each side until they caramelize. This step adds depth of flavour to your Banh Mi. Since the pork is already cooked, 2 min per side in a hot pan or 3-4min per side in the air fryer should be enough.
   

   Buns

4. Preheat your oven or air fryer to a low temperature or use the residual heat from the pork to warm the baguettes. If using the oven or air fryer, sprinkle a little water on the baguettes before heating to refresh them. Warm for a few minutes until they’re heated through.
5. Once heated, slice the baguettes horizontally, but not all the way through, creating a book-like opening. Allow them to cool slightly to prevent the mayo from becoming greasy when spread.
   

   Mayonnaise

6. While the buns are cooling, prepare your mayo-mix. In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise with either sweet chili sauce or freshly chopped cilantro. Adjust the ratio to your taste. If you prefer it spicier, you can use Sriracha or another hot sauce.
   

   Assembly

7. To assemble your Banh Mi buns, spread a thin layer of the spiced or cilantro mayonnaise mix on both the top and bottom inside of the bun.
8. Add a few drops of your favourite “Secret Sauce,” whether it’s Maggi, Coconut Aminos, or a soy-Worcestershire-sugar mix, to the mayo-covered bun.
9. Place the marinated and caramelized pork slices on the bottom half of the bun.
10. Top the pork with the quick-pickled vegetables and cucumber slices.
11. Finally, layer the fresh herbs of your choice on top of everything.
12. Press the top half of the bun onto the sandwich to close it.
13. Enjoy your delicious Banh Mi bun! Be prepared for a messy eating experience, as it’s all part of the charm of this flavourful sandwich.
14. Feel free to customize your Banh Mi with extra toppings like sliced jalapeños or Sriracha for an extra kick of heat. Enjoy your homemade Banh Mi buns!