Banh Xeo - Crispy Vietnamese Pancake
- Thạnh Lê Phúc
- Dec 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Banh xeo is a type of cake with a traditional and familiar flavor of the Vietnamese people. Most of Saigon Adventure's food tours have a choice of destinations to enjoy this cake. Nowadays, Banh xeo is a very familiar name both domestically and internationally because it is loved by international friends and is always mentioned when thinking about Vietnam. Banh xeo is also varied in different regions to suit the customs and tastes of each locality, but all have their own delicious flavors and leave many impressions in the hearts of those who enjoy it.
Why is it called “Banh Xeo”
Why do people call it “Banh Xeo” and not other names? Most foreigners are surprised to know the reason behind the name “Banh Xeo”, without thinking too deeply or too complicatedly, the name “Banh Xeo” comes from the sound when making it. When the dough comes into contact with the hot oil pan, it will create a “sizzling” sound, that is why the cake with the special name “Banh Xeo” was born.
Vietnamese Banh Xeo - Irresistible Delicacy
Banh Xeo is a traditional dish, typical of the S-shaped country, Banh Xeo is gradually becoming a popular dish not only domestically but also internationally and is welcomed by international friends as a type of “sizzling cuisine”. Banh Xeo is often enjoyed in cold seasons and is bought for its hot, crispy taste when freshly prepared. Vietnamese pancakes have their own unique culinary style, not using luxurious, expensive ingredients, everything to make pancakes is very simple, familiar, creating an extremely rustic, simple feeling but still rich in flavor. If you want to enjoy more cuisines, you can try exploring the culinary paradise through Saigon Adventure.
Types of “Banh Xeo”
Today, you can easily find 2 types of banh xeo with different sizes: small banh xeo, popular in the Central region, and a larger banh xeo, favored by people in the South.
Southern Banh Xeo
Southern banh xeo is made in large size, crispy crust combined with soft, chewy inside because it is cooked on a large box. In particular, when eating Southern banh xeo, you will feel the fat due to the coconut milk mixed in the crust combined with turmeric powder, making the cake have a light yellow color, eye-catching with the filling often containing shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, green beans, ... And the special thing about Southern banh xeo is that the filling can have many unique ingredients from the West such as hu hu, shrimp, also from different characteristics, so the way to enjoy it is different from the Central region, in the South, the way to enjoy the banh xeo recipe is often more dependent. People often use rice paper or raw vegetables to wrap the pancake inside and then dip it in sweet and sour fish sauce.
Central Vietnamese pancakes
Unlike Southern Vietnamese pancakes, Central Vietnamese pancakes are usually smaller, the crust is usually not too thick or too thick, and is marked with small pieces of crumbs to give the crust a certain crispiness, which is reasonable for the filling, which is usually shrimp, squid, pork and bean sprouts, etc. And with the characteristic of being small in size, the way to enjoy it is also different from Southern Vietnamese pancakes, which are rolled with vegetables or rice paper, while Central Vietnamese pancakes are often put in a bowl or soaked, then seasoned with sweet and sour fish sauce and eaten with raw vegetables.
4. Places to eat delicious banh xeo in Ho Chi Minh City
Ngoc Son Banh Xeo Restaurant
● Address: 103 Ngo Quyen, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 21:00
Ngoc Son Banh Xeo Restaurant is famous for its banh xeo dishes that are often chosen by locals to visit. The banh xeo here is popular with diners thanks to its crispy, golden crust, the filling of shrimp and meat combined with rich sweet and sour fish sauce and a variety of fresh vegetables.
Ba Hai Western Banh Xeo:
● Address: 49 Nguyen Trong Tuyen, Ward 15, Phu Nhuan District
● Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00
Ba Hai Banh Xeo Restaurant is a famous Western Banh Xeo restaurant with delicious banh xeo filled with shrimp, meat and bean sprouts. The highlight of Ba Hai Western pancake restaurant is the sweet and sour fish sauce, which is considered by everyone to be rich and contributes to the unforgettable flavor when combined with raw vegetables and pancakes.
Thanh Phuong pancakes
● Address: 31 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 13, Tan Binh District
● Opening hours: 9:00 - 23:00
Thanh Phuong pancakes are famous for their golden, thin, and crispy crust with a rich flavor. When you come to the restaurant, you can enjoy hot pancakes with shrimp, meat fillings, and mushrooms and bean sprouts to make the pancakes less greasy.
Banh Xeo is a representative of Vietnam's rich culinary heritage. It is a dish that once enjoyed, it is difficult to forget its unique flavor as well as the interesting stories behind it. Whether you are a passionate foodie or a curious tourist who wants to learn about delicious dishes in Vietnam, Banh Xeo is a dish that you cannot miss, let Banh Xeo lead you to the rich and colorful cuisine of Vietnam.
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