Vietnamese food allures visitors with its tastes and diversity. Vietnamese pancake is no exception. There are many pancake variations throughout the country. Although all of them are healthy and crispy, each variation has its own ingredients and special tastes. You definitely should try the dish at least once on your Vietnam trip!
1. Vietnamese Pancake - What is it?
Vietnamese pancake goes by the name “bánh xèo” in Vietnamese, as ‘xèo’ means the sizzling sound made when the rice batter is poured into a hot frying pan. It is also known as crispy Vietnamese pancake. The dish was introduced into Vietnam by the French during the French colonial period between 1858 and 1946. Since then, it has become a popular street food with many variations throughout the country.
The dish has a crispy layer made of turmeric powder and rice flour, stuffed with various fillings like mung beans and meat or seafood, which is served with lots of vegetables and bean sprouts. There are 2 main styles to make the layer of the pancake: crispy thin layer and thick layer. The turmeric powder brings along an eye-catching bright yellow colour for the dish.
There is also a sweet and sour dipping sauce and some herbs that help enhance the flavours. The sauce is a good blend of spices, including light dipping sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic and chilli.
2. Top 5 must-try crispy Vietnamese pancakes
Each region in this S-shaped country has its own unique variation of Vietnamese pancakes. Below are the 5 most popular variations, which mostly differ in fillings.
2.1. Vietnamese pancake mix
Vietnamese pancake mix has a wide range of ingredients, such as shrimp, squid, pork, mushrooms, etc., which nicely blend together. Experienced chefs even use beer for the flour mixture to make the crust crispy for longer.
The light dipping sauce includes water, sugar, fish sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and chilli. The dish is served with fresh vegetables and herbs. All the vegetables and small pieces of the pancake should be wrapped inside rice paper to make rolls.
2.2. Vietnamese pancakes with prawns
Boiled prawns are the highlight for this variation of Vietnamese pancakes, which can be enriched with thin slices of pork belly, onions, bean sprouts, cucumber, and herbs like mint, coriander, perilla, basil, etc. This variation is more popular in coastal areas, where fresh prawns are more available.
2.3. Vietnamese seafood pancake
The fillings for seafood pancake Vietnam should include shrimp, squid, eggs, onions, shallots, carrots, coconut milk, fresh bean sprouts and, of course, flour. The dipping sauce for this variation is made of fish sauce, sugar, coconut milk, chilli, garlic, and lime juice.
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2.4. Vietnamese pancake for vegetarians
For this variation, all ingredients should be vegan, including flour, soya milk, onion, tofu, coconut milk, mung bean, mushroom, carrot, chilli, garlic, lemon, and herbs. The sauce is made of soya sauce instead of fish sauce. The fillings are cut into slices before being stirred in fat to taste.
>>> Read more at Vietnam things to do: 10 MUST-HAVE experiences on a First Visit to know what you should do in the country!
3. How to eat Vietnamese pancakes properly?
You can eat Vietnamese pancakes with chopsticks or bare hands. You can take a piece of banh xeo and put it on thin rice paper, add fresh herbs, then roll them tightly. Remember to dip the roll into the sauce before enjoying it.
4. Where to find the best Vietnamese pancakes?
While you are in the major cities of Vietnam, remember to try Vietnamese pancakes to see how they differ across regions.
4.1. Vietnamese pancakes in Hanoi
Hanoi’s people prepare Vietnamese pancakes the same way as those in Southern Vietnam do. The fillings may include some more slices of Indian taro and green mango.
Banh Xeo Hang Bo
- Address: 22 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District
- Opening hours: 2 pm – 7 pm
- Price range: VND30,000
Quan An Ngon
- Address: 18 Phan Boi Chau, Hoan Kiem District
- Opening hours: 11 am – 9:30 pm
- Price range: VND50,000
Banh xeo Sau Phuoc
- Address: 74 Cau Dat, Hoan Kiem District
- Opening hours: 10:45 pm - 8:30 pm
- Price range: VND50,000 – 100,000
4.2. Vietnamese pancakes in Hoi An
In Central Vietnam, Vietnamese pancakes are white and much smaller than those in other regions.
Banh Xeo Co Anh - Song Hoai
- Address: No. 32, 18/8 Street, Minh An Ward
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: VND35,000
Banh Xeo Dai Loc
- Address: 224 To Huu, Cam Le Ward
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: VND30,000
Banh Xeo Muoi Mai
- Address: 2 Le Van Huu, Tan An Ward
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: VND30,000
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4.3. Vietnamese pancaes in Nha Trang
Banh Xeo Chao Nha Trang
- Address: 87 Hoang Van Thu, Van Thanh
- Opening hours: 6 am - 10 pm
- Price: from VND30,000
Quan Banh Xeo Thap Ba
- Address: No. 749, 2/4 Street, Vinh Tho
- Opening hours: all day
- Price: from VND30,000/person
Banh Xeo Chao 85
- Address: 81 To Hien Thanh, Tan Lap
- Opening time: 10 am - 9 pm
- Price range: from VND30,000
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4.4. Vietnamese pancakes in Saigon
In Southern Vietnam, Vietnamese pancakes are bigger in size with a lot of vegetables and bean sprouts.
Banh xeo Ngoc Son
- Address: 103 Ngo Quyen Street, District 5
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: from VND50,000 - 90,000
Banh xeo Ba Hai
- Address: 49 Nguyen Trong Tuyen, Phu Nhuan District
- Opening hours: 10 am - 10 pm
- Price range: from VND30,000
Banh xeo An Quan
- Address: 71/5 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: from VND30,000
Banh xeo Muoi Xiem
- Address: 225 Nguyen Trai, District 1
- Opening hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- Price range: from VND30,000
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Vietnamese cuisine has made its name all over the world. But only in Vietnam can you try the most authentic dishes. Vietnamese pancakes, in particular, have many variations for you to try, which are all crispy and healthy.