According to SoraNews24, 7-Eleven Japan will begin selling Vietnamese banh mi on June 23 in most prefectures nationwide.

The new offering, marketed as the “Sweet Chili Sauce Banh Mi,” is filled with roast pork, pickled vegetables and cilantro. 7-Eleven says the umami of the meat, the tang of the pickled vegetables and the distinctive herbal fragrance of the cilantro create a flavorful yet refreshing combination well suited to the hot summer months ahead.

While sweet chili sauce is not a common banh mi condiment, the convenience store chain says it is used to complement the sandwich’s flavor profile rather than as a dominant ingredient, allowing the other components to stand out.

The banh mi is priced at JPY430 (approximately US$2.75) at 7-Eleven stores across Japan, except in Hokkaido and Okinawa prefectures.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s most distinctive fusion foods, banh mi combines a French-style baguette with Vietnamese meats, vegetables and seasonings.

While the sandwich has long been a staple in Vietnam and among Asian communities overseas, it has only recently gained broader recognition in Japan. One reason may be that pho has traditionally been the best-known Vietnamese dish among Japanese fans of Vietnamese cuisine.

In recent years, however, the number of banh mi restaurants and specialty shops in the Tokyo area has steadily increased, expanding the dish’s fan base and helping bring it to a wider audience.

Alongside Vietnamese banh mi, 7-Eleven Japan has recently added Korean-style gamja cheese balls to its menu, expanding its internationally inspired food offerings.

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