Banh Xeo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake): A Must-Try Dish In Vietnam

Banh xeo, or crispy Vietnamese pancake, is a prominent dish in Vietnamese cuisine. Not only delicious, it also carries the quintessence of Vietnamese culinary culture. This is a dish you cannot miss when coming to Vietnam. In this article, let’s explore with Lua Viet Tours what makes banh xeo so special!

Banh xeo is served with a rich dipping sauce, creating an unforgettable culinary experience. (Image Source: Internet)

What is Banh Xeo?

Banh xeo, also known as crispy Vietnamese pancakes, is a savory crepe made from rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk. This pancake is made by pouring the batter into a heated skillet, resulting in a crispy outside and a soft interior. Usually packed with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, the pancake presents a delicious combination of flavors and textures.

The name “banh xeo” originates from the sound made as the cake is poured (xeo means sizzling). Banh xeo is becoming more and more well-known on the map of Vietnamese cuisine and is advised that visitors to this country taste this dish.

The name banh xeo comes from the “sizzling” sound when the cake is made. (Image Source: Internet)

The Origin of Banh Xeo

There are many different opinions about the time and origin of banh xeo. Some information says that banh xeo originated from banh khoai of Hue, the further south you go, the bigger the banh xeo gets, the filling and dipping sauce are also changed to suit each region.

But no matter where banh xeo originated from, this is still a street food that brings the best culinary experience!

Banh xeo is believed to have originated from Hue’s banh khoai. (Image Source: Internet)

Types of Banh Xeo

With the same name, banh xeo, but each place has a different way of preparing this dish, in which the most popular are banh xeo in the central region and banh xeo in the southern region. Let’s explore the difference between these two types.

Central Banh Xeo

Banh xeo from the Central region is smaller in size, only about the size of an adult’s hand. The crust is crispy, not too thick nor too thin. The filling is also simple, typically, a banh xeo will have shrimp, a few thin slices of pork, and a generous amount of bean sprouts.

In some coastal provinces like Binh Dinh and Quang Nam, you may see a little squid added. Central banh xeo differs from other variations due to its white tone derived from rice flour, rather than its striking yellow color.

Central banh xeo are usually smaller and have simpler ingredients. (Image Source: Internet)

Southern Banh Xeo

Southern banh xeo in general and the Tien Giang region in particular are 3–4 times larger than Central ones. The pancake skin here is made more crispy, slightly soft, and chewy in the middle. It is often more fragrant because of the flavor of coconut milk. The filling usually includes pork belly, shrimp, mung beans, sometimes duck meat, cassava (dried yam), bean sprouts and mung beans.

Southern banh xeo are bigger and more fragrant. (Image Source: Internet)

How to Eat Banh Xeo

There are two most popular ways to eat Banh Xeo, which are called rolled and mixed.

• In the rolled way, people put Banh Xeo on raw vegetables and roll it up and dip it in sauce. In some places will roll another layer of rice paper on the outside.
• In the mixed way (usually for central banh xeo), Banh Xeo is put in a bowl, then cut more raw vegetables, pour sauce on top and eat.

Banh xeo is still a rustic dish of Vietnamese people today, so it is not too fussy about how to eat it. Besides banh mi, pho, com tam,… banh xeo is also a pride in Vietnamese cuisine.

Two ways to eat banh xeo. (Image Source: Internet)

Banh xeo is a street food that cannot be missed when coming to Vietnam. This rustic dish not only satisfies your taste buds but also shows the very diverse culinary culture of Vietnam. Add banh xeo to your must-try dishes and enjoy it on your upcoming trip to Vietnam!

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