Charles Phan sold a similar meatball banh mi at his fast-casual San Francisco restaurant Out the Door.
Quick Pickled Carrots
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
3 large carrots, julienned on a mandoline or shredded
Meatball Sandwiches
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 Thai chiles or 1 large jalapeño, minced
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons rice wine or dry white wine
1 (16-ounce) can plain tomato sauce
3 1/2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground pork
1/2 cup minced onion
4 large canned water chestnuts, minced
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves, plus 12 large sprigs
1 tablespoon Korean-style kimchi
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1 large egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
6 (6-inch) French bread rolls or pieces of baguette
Hot sauce, for serving
In a large bowl, stir the sugar and salt into the vinegar until completely dissolved. Add the julienned carrots and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the carrots marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate overnight.
Soak 6 (10-inch) bamboo skewers in water for 20 minutes; drain.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Add the garlic, chiles, and shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the rice wine and bring to a boil. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce.
In a large bowl, gently mix the ground pork with the onion, water chestnuts, cornstarch, chopped cilantro, kimchi, soy sauce, pepper, sesame oil, beaten egg mixture, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 2 1/2 tablespoons of fish sauce. Using moistened hands, roll the mixture into 30 meatballs. Thread the meatballs onto the skewers and refrigerate until chilled.
Light a grill. Lightly brush the meatballs with vegetable oil and grill over a hot fire until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Halve the rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Halve the meatballs, stuff them into the rolls and spoon the tomato sauce over them. Top with the quick pickled carrots and cilantro sprigs and serve with hot sauce.
