Vietnamese honeycomb cake is one of the many Vietnamese foods you should try to complete your Vietnam travel experience. It is a simple but extremely tasty dessert that will leave your taste buds craving more. Read on to discover its unique textures and harmonious blend of flavors! You will also find suggestions on where to enjoy it while in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
1. What is Vietnamese honeycomb cake?
Vietnamese honeycomb cake is a delightful dessert with a distinct texture and flavor. It is slightly chewy and springy and has a bit of sweetness from the coconut milk and sugar. In Vietnamese, honeycomb cake is called “bánh bò”.
When you cut open this cake, you will be greeted by its unique honeycomb-like structure, with a pattern of small, interconnected air pockets. This is what gives the dessert its name and sets it apart from other cakes.
A popular variation of this cake is the Vietnamese pandan honeycomb cake. The pandan gives it its distinct flavor and vibrant green hue. You can enjoy it as a standalone treat or with a cup of tea or coffee.
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2. How to make Vietnamese honeycomb cake?
2.1. Ingredients
Vietnamese honeycomb cake is made from rice flour, coconut milk, cooking oil, sugar, and yeast or bread starter. These are carefully selected to create a spongy, slightly chewy cake with a subtle sweetness.
Each ingredient plays a vital part in achieving the delightful balance of taste and texture that characterizes this beloved Vietnamese dessert.
If it is the Vietnamese pandan honeycomb cake, there is the addition of pandan leaf extract. The extract is added to the batter to give the treat a brilliant green color. It also imparts a fragrant, herbal note to the cake.
2.2. Cooking method
Making Vietnamese honeycomb cake is a step-by-step adventure.
- First, mix rice flour, coconut milk, cooking oil, sugar, and yeast together.
- Then, knead the mixture for around 45 minutes to an hour.
- Pour the mixture into a mold and brush a layer of cooking oil atop to prevent the cake from sticking to the mold:
- Once the ingredients are in the mold, cover it and place it in the oven.
- Bake until it browns evenly on both sides. Typically, it takes around 45 minutes.
3. How to eat Vietnamese honeycomb cake for the best flavors?
There are three ways to eat Vietnamese honeycomb cake.
The first is simply enjoying banh bo on its own. You can get the most authentic experience when you sample Vietnamese honeycomb cake this way. It is the best choice if you are trying the cake for the first time.
Another way is to pair it with coconut cream and sesame seeds. The additional ingredients will help bring out the honeycomb’s flavors. They also provide contrasting textures that make eating an exciting experience.
Finally, you can enjoy Vietnamese honeycomb cake with roasted pork. The unique combination of sweet and savory flavors creates a harmonious balance that will surely cause your taste buds to go crazy!
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4. Recommended places to eat Vietnamese honeycomb cake
4.1. In Hanoi
You can easily find Vietnamese honeycomb cakes in Hanoi. Here are some of the best places to consider:
- Hil Heo Shop: No. 3 Alley 20, Nguyen Dinh Hoan, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Nung Ninh: 159 Lam Du, Long Bien District, Hanoi
- Nguyen Son: C30 Alley 69 Duong Khue, Mai Dich, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- TeaTaste: 31A Ngo Tram Lane, Hang Bong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Ms. Ha Kitchen: Alley 40 Lane 79, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Xixa's Corner: C4 Alley 46C Pham Ngoc Thach, Trung Tu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi
- Auntie Dong: 28 Alley 12, Chinh Kinh, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi
- Cao Bang: 32 Nghia Do, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Heirloom Cake: 122 Vinh Tuy, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Banh Bo Thot Not Hanoi: Alley 105/1 Alley 325 Kim Nguu, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
4.2. In Ho Chi Minh City
It is also very easy to enjoy Vietnamese honeycomb cake in Ho Chi Minh City. You can visit these places:
- Banh Bo Thot Not Tan Chau: 32 Co Bac Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Nguyen Son: No. 6 Le Tu Tai Street, Ward 4, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Saigon COCOCake: 18E Tran Quang Dieu, Ward 13, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- An Giang: 4/2 Be Van Dan, Ward 14, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Baa&Boo: 337/37 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Kibi: No. 5 Lot A of Tam Binh Market, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
- B&B Bakery: 74/32, Street 14, Binh Hung Hoa A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Sister Ut: 994 Hau Giang Street, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City
- Khanh Linh Bakery: 7th Floor, Lot C1, Belleza Apartment, Phu My Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
- Ba Ngoc Homemade Snacks: 869 Hoang Sa, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
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Besides Vietnamese honeycomb cake, Vietnam has lots of other delicious delicacies that you should not miss out on.
If you are looking for suggestions, banh chung, Vietnamese noodles, Vietnamese fried rice, pancake Vietnam, Vietnamese spring rolls, mi Quang, bun dau mam tom, Vietnamese bread, steamed rice rolls, Pho rolls, turmeric fish, Vietnamese broken rice, and Vietnamese fish cake are must-tries.
For the most authentic culinary experiences, you can enjoy these specialties in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Ha Long.
At these destinations, you can stay in Vinpearl’s luxurious hotels and resorts. The world-class accommodations and amenities at these properties will perfectly complement your indulgent exploration of Vietnam’s rich culinary scene.
You can also visit VinWonders operated by Vinpearl, to add some fun to your tasty experiences. In addition to thrilling rides and captivating cultural shows, there are plenty of restaurants and eateries at these entertainment complexes too.
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Now, you know all about Vietnamese honeycomb cake. If you are in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to visit the spots we have recommended to give this delicacy a try. Otherwise, consider making it yourself using the details above. With its soft, chewy texture and touch of sweetness, banh bo Vietnamese is a treat you will definitely not regret trying. In fact, it has to be on your list of things to eat at least once in your life!
