Making lunch in the mornings can sometimes feel like a chore. You might find yourself wondering what’s quick and easy to make. If you are anything like me, then you shrug, grab your loaf of bread and some peanut butter, and get to work. Sandwiches are a universal staple. But what makes a sandwich? What ingredients do you actually need and what are just preconceived notions? Let’s take a trip around the globe to answer that very question.
North America
Torta Ahogada
Food trucks and their hungry visitors fill the streets of Jalisco. One street vendor was serving this steady flow of customers when he accidentally dropped his customer’s torta in a vat of salsa! Instead of asking for a remake, the customer gave it a try—and loved it. Before long, its fame quickly spread, and the sandwich became known as torta ahogada, or “drowned sandwich.” This delicacy is one spice lovers are sure to adore, as they bite into the birote filled with tomato sauce infused with the spicy chile de árbol and pork carnitas.
South America
Bauru
Brazil is known for many things: Rio de Janeiro, Carnival, and even colorful birds. What many tourists don’t know about is a Brazilian sandwich that is sure to delight their taste buds, named after the city of Bauru, where it was made. A somewhat-pretentious college student went to a local deli and requested a sandwich with roast beef, mozzarella cheese, sliced tomato, dill pickles, oregano, and salt, all placed on French bread. The owners complied with the student’s request, and it wasn’t long before the word got out about this sandwich’s deliciousness. The Bauru sandwich became a beloved local staple in the city of Bauru, eventually spreading across Brazil. The combination of fresh and savory ingredients makes this sandwich a timeless favorite.
Europe
Croque Monsieur
You’re starving, having walked all day through the famous (and somewhat smelly) streets of Paris. In this moment, the rich and powerful aroma of cheese hits you and you know you’ve got to find its source. That’s where the croque monsieur comes in. A Parisian café owner was accused of using human meat in his pork sandwich. To combat these claims, he jokingly named his signature pork sandwich croque monsieur, or “mister meat.” Jokes aside, this twist on the beloved grilled cheese features ham and Gruyère cheese between slices of white bread topped with béchamel sauce and broiled to crispy, melty perfection. It’s no wonder people call it the fancy love child of the ham and cheese sandwich; it’s a flawless blend of both.
Asia
Vada Pav
Few can resist a good potato, and India is certainly no exception, adding the potato in a sandwich known as the vada pav to tap into the delicious phenomenon. The cooking process is long but totally worth it. You first make the potato patty by mashing boiled potatoes and adding chilies, onions, and the spices of your choice before dunking the sandwich in chickpea sauce and deep-frying it. Once you’re satisfied with that, you can put it in a hamburger bun, set some green chilies inside, and smear it with the chutney sauce of your choice. Common spreads are made of mint, coriander, garlic, tamarind, and coconut. Though it might bring tears to the eyes of those sensitive to spice, this sandwich is pure bliss for spice lovers.
Africa
Gatsby
A man in South Africa was panicking as he realized he’d forgotten to make something for the men working on his house. He hadn’t even made a grocery run—what was he to do? He quickly threw together a hodgepodge of ingredients, creating what would later be known as the Gatsby sandwich. This delight is stuffed with polony (a meat similar to bologna), slap chips (french fries), and achar; set on a Portuguese roll; and sliced into four pieces to share. This sandwich was named after the film The Great Gatsby, after one worker who had just watched the movie exclaimed, “This is a Gatsby smash!”
Australia
Conti Roll
From our friends down under comes a sandwich rooted in Italian cuisine. There were many Italian immigrant families in Perth, Australia, opening restaurants to earn their living. A sandwich called the continental roll (also called the conti roll) emerged from this. Like the classic Italian sub, the conti roll allows you to customize it with your favorite cold cuts, cheeses, and condiments. Common cold cuts are mortadella, salami, and coppa; common condiments are pickled eggplants, sun-dried tomatoes, grated carrots, and beetroots. Travelers can take it on the road as they explore all Australia has to offer.
The Final Bite
After exploring sandwiches from around the world, it’s clear that no matter the ingredients, the sandwich is a global favorite. Portable, customizable, and always delicious. . . what more do you need? So, go ahead and make yourself a sandwich—you deserve it!