'Banh mi' featured in Marvel blockbuster 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'
VOV.VN - The iconic Vietnamese dish banh mi has made a surprise appearance in Marvel’s latest blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day, retaining its original Vietnamese name and delighting local audiences.
In a scene where Peter Parker (Tom Holland) visits the apartment of MJ (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), Ned’s watch timer goes off while they are chatting and gaming. He enthusiastically announces: "Banh mi time!"
Though lasting only a few seconds, the line quickly became a viral topic among Vietnamese viewers after the film's release. Audiences expressed excitement not just for the dish's appearance in a Hollywood blockbuster, but because the script kept the original name "banh mi" instead of translating it into "sandwich" or "Vietnamese sandwich." Social media users also shared memes, calling it free promotion for Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnamese food has appeared on international screens before, such as banh xeo (crispy pancake) and goi cuon (summer roll) in Can This Love Be Translated?, or hu tieu (noodle soup) in King the Land. However, those served mainly as background scenery or dining props. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, banh mi is directly named in the dialogue, showing the growing global recognition of the dish and its original name.
The movie cameo follows a series of international recognitions for banh mi. In March 2024, food platform TasteAtlas ranked it first among the world's 100 best sandwiches, ahead of famous entries from Turkey, the US, and Italy. By June 2025, CNN Travel included banh mi in its list of must-try global sandwiches, later ranking it second among the top 25 sandwiches worldwide and describing it as "small yet flavor-packed."
Beyond awards and film appearances, banh mi remains an essential culinary experience for international tourists visiting Vietnam. From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, street carts and longtime shops frequently feature in travel vlogs and social media posts as must-visit stops.
With its crispy crust, varied fillings, and affordable price, banh mi continues to be one of the most talked-about dishes among international visitors to Vietnam.
Why Vietnamese Bánh mì has become a global favourite
VOV.VN - From street stalls in Vietnam to food trucks in cities around the world, Bánh mì (bread/baguette/sanswich) has emerged as one of the country’s most recognisable culinary exports, winning over international diners with its distinctive blend of flavours, textures and cultural influences.
