Which Country Has The Best Sandwich?

Summary

The video presents an exciting global sandwich showdown, where sandwiches from around the world compete for the title of the best sandwich. From Vietnam's Bánh Mì, with its perfect balance of flavors, to America's Philly Cheese Steak, each sandwich brings unique tastes and traditions. The competition features a diverse range of sandwiches, including Lebanon’s Shawarma, India’s Vada Pav, and Greece’s Gyro. Ultimately, Vietnam’s Bánh Mì wins, praised for its versatility, fresh ingredients, and bold flavors. The video highlights the cultural significance of these sandwiches, encouraging viewers to try new flavors and explore global cuisine.

Takeaways

• 😀 The competition is about ranking and determining the world's greatest sandwich from a selection of global contenders, with a bracket-style tournament format.
• 😀 The sandwiches are judged not only for their taste but also for texture, appearance, and how well they could be eaten every day.
• 😀 Chicken Shawarma from Lebanon and Faka Mortadella from Italy are among the top contenders, with the Shawarma winning over the Mortadella in the initial round.
• 😀 A key component of the Shawarma is its garlic sauce (toum), French fries, and pickles, which create a balanced and flavorful sandwich.
• 😀 Faka Mortadella is highlighted for its use of crispy Italian bread (shata), pistachio cream, and thinly sliced Mortadella, offering a fatty yet refined taste.
• 😀 India's Vada Pav, a deep-fried mashed potato ball in a bun with chutney, is a standout in the competition, defeating Portugal's Fashia sandwich.
• 😀 The competition includes classic sandwiches like the Greek Pork Gyro, Germany's Doner Kebab, and the French Jambon Beurre, each celebrated for their simplicity and quality ingredients.
• 😀 The Vietnamese Bánh Mì sandwich, praised for its balance of fresh ingredients and flavor profiles (pickled carrots, cilantro, spicy jalapenos), is one of the top contenders throughout the competition.
• 😀 The Philly Cheesesteak, representing the U.S., is considered a classic with seared ribeye, grilled onions, sharp provolone, and mayo on sesame seed bread, making it a strong competitor in the final rounds.
• 😀 The final battle pits the iconic Vietnamese Bánh Mì against the Philly Cheesesteak, with Bánh Mì emerging as the ultimate winner due to its balance of flavors, textures, and versatility.

Q & A

What was the format of the sandwich tournament described in the video?

The sandwich tournament followed a bracket-style format, with 12 global sandwich contenders battling against each other. The top 4 sandwiches automatically advanced, while the remaining 8 competed for their chance to move on, eventually leading to a final showdown.

Which two sandwiches faced off in the first match-up of the tournament?

The first match-up featured Lebanon's chicken shawarma and Italy's Faka Mortadella sandwich.

What makes the Lebanese chicken shawarma stand out in the competition?

The Lebanese chicken shawarma stood out due to its flavorful garlic sauce (toum), fried French fries, seasoned chicken, and the addition of pickles, all wrapped in a large flatbread. Many fans also recommended a specific restaurant, Basturma Mano, which contributed to its popularity.

What are the key components of Italy's Faka Mortadella sandwich?

Italy's Faka Mortadella sandwich features crispy-edged Italian bread (shata), pistachio cream, extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced Mortadella, and crushed pistachios. The sandwich is known for its rich and balanced flavors.

Which sandwich emerged victorious in the first match-up between Lebanon's chicken shawarma and Italy's Faka Mortadella?

Italy's Faka Mortadella sandwich won the first match-up, despite the Lebanese chicken shawarma being a strong contender.

What is the key characteristic of India’s Vada Pav?

India’s Vada Pav is a popular street food featuring a fried mashed potato ball, flavored with garlic, curry leaves, and chilies, placed in a soft bun. It is topped with chutneys and a fried chili, creating a flavorful, spicy, and aromatic sandwich.

How does the Portuguese Francesinha sandwich differ from others in the competition?

The Portuguese Francesinha is a hearty sandwich made with thick-cut white bread, multiple layers of meats (including Mortadella, sausage, steak, and ham), cheese, fried egg, and a hot tomatoey beef and beer sauce. It’s a rich and indulgent sandwich, often considered a great bar food.

What makes the Greek pork gyro a standout sandwich in the competition?

The Greek pork gyro stands out due to its flavorful spit-roasted pork, wrapped in soft pita bread, with accompaniments like tomato, red onion, fries, and a tangy yogurt-based sauce. The balance of acidity, saltiness, and the richness of the pork creates a delicious and satisfying sandwich.

Which sandwich represented the United States in the tournament, and what is its key feature?

The sandwich representing the United States was the Philly cheesesteak, specifically from Angelo’s. The key feature of the Philly cheesesteak is the combination of thinly sliced ribeye beef, grilled onions, sharp provolone cheese, and creamy mayo, all served in a sesame seed roll.

How did the final match between Vietnam's Bánh Mì and the Philly Cheesesteak play out?

The final match between Vietnam's Bánh Mì and the Philly Cheesesteak ended with Bánh Mì taking the victory. The Bánh Mì was praised for its balance of flavors, including pickled vegetables, grilled pork, and fresh herbs, while the Philly cheesesteak was recognized for its richness and American comfort food qualities.

What did the judges and commentators emphasize about the Vietnamese Bánh Mì during the final vote?

The judges and commentators emphasized that the Vietnamese Bánh Mì stood out due to its balance of flavors and textures. It includes a variety of fresh vegetables, pickled carrots, cilantro, and spicy jalapeños, which complement the grilled pork and make it a more balanced sandwich compared to the richer Philly cheesesteak.

Why was the Philly cheesesteak considered a classic and worthy contender despite losing in the final?

The Philly cheesesteak was considered a classic because it embodies American culinary tradition. Its simplicity with just meat, cheese, onions, and a bun, paired with its comforting and hearty nature, made it a beloved and iconic sandwich, despite not winning the final.