If you have stopped by Vietnam, try one of the dishes that attract both local people and tourists here. Banh Xeo is one of Vietnam must try food. The perfect combination of sweet and sour sauce, and vegetables with this cake can create an unforgettable memory in this land.
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What is Banh Xeo
Banh Xeo is usually known as Vietnamese pancake. It has different popular variations like Okonomiyaki in Japan or Baechujeon in North Korea. The differences present from the ingredients, the way local Vietnamese cook, and the side dish we use with Banh Xeo.
How was Banh Xeo made?
The name Banh Xeo comes from the sound when pouring pancake mixture into the pan (“xèo”). The mixture is a combination of coconut milk, rice flour,…Most people try to create a thin layer of cake in a circle form on the hot-fired pan.
Then, the chief will put toppings in half of the circle. The fillings usually include Pork, whole shrimp, bean sprouts, and mung beans.
Next, fold up the Banh Xeo halfway and you can enjoy the cake with Vietnamese vegetables and herbs with sweet fish sauce.
Banh Xeo in different regions
Depending on the locality, Vietnamese will change the ingredients to adapt to local people’s tastes. We would like to introduce Banh Xeo of three different regions in Vietnam to you.
Banh Xeo in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam’s Banh Xeo is hard to find in a restaurant. Instead of using coconut milk to make the Banh Xeo mixture, northern citizens use beer so that they can keep it crispy for longer.
However, being made in this way, Banh Xeo will lack sweetness and creaminess. The filling ingredients have extra thinly sliced lentils or shredded taro. all are cooked before and added later on the cakes.
Banh Xeo in Central Vietnam
Besides Banh Xeo, this cake is also named “Banh Khoai” in Central Vietnam. The size of the cake is as small as your hand and is often served with grilled meat. People eat Banh Xeo with a dipping sauce consisting of soy sauce, liver, and peanuts.
Banh Xeo in South Vietnam
This is the most popular Banh Xeo version in Vietnam. It has the size of a big pizza. However, Banh Xeo in South Vietnam always folded half of the cake. and had a crispy wrapper.
You should enjoy Banh Xeo as soon as it’s finished to feel the crispness and aroma from the crust. Combined with sweet and sour dipping sauce and fresh vegetables can make this dish to the next level
Ways to eat Banh Xeo
You can eat Banh Xeo in two ways: eat with chopsticks or eat with your bare hand. It will be a bit difficult for you to enjoy the taste of vegetables and pancakes at the same time if you use chopsticks.
Therefore, using bare hands to eat is considered normal in Vietnam. Indigenous people often use rice paper to roll pancakes and vegetables or just pancakes with herbs to dip in with the sweet fish sauce.
Places to eat Banh Xeo in Hanoi city
Banh Xeo Sau Phuoc, Cau Dat
Banh Xeo Sau Phuoc was named the best Banh Xeo bistro in Hanoi. Thanks to the crispy yet not overbearing crust， numerous foreign tourists as well as domestic diners have come back here many more times.
Address: 74 Cau Dat Ward, Chuong Duong Do, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Xeo Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem
There are many fresh veggies to eat with Banh Xeo, but the most popular ones include lettuce, Vietnamese parsley, basil, and bean sprouts. Add these vegetables and roll them tightly. Don’t forget to dip the roll in the sauce before taking a bite.
Address: 22 P. Hang Bo, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Xeo Zòn Pancake, Cau Dat
Shrimp and squid are abundant in the pancake’s stuffing. Pancakes taste equally good. Particularly, the dipping sauce is flavorful and just right—not overly sweet or salty.
Address: 25 Lo Su Ward, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Xeo Nem Lui Ngoc Duong, Doi Can
A perfect place to have lunch. The menu serves two main dishes which are Banh Xeo and Nem Lui. Moreover, there is pickled radish that has an identifiable sweet-sour flavor.
Address: 125 Doi Can, Ngoc Ho, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Banh Xeo Son Lan, Doi Can
This is the first Banh Xeo, Nem Lui in Doi Can. This place has been selling for nearly 15 years. You will have many choices besides Banh Xeo for the main dish. You can try Banh Bot Loc, Nem Chua Ran, or honey butter bread.
Address: 167 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
Place to eat Banh Xeo in Ho Chi Minh city
Phan Rang Quán, district 7
You can’t miss Phan Rang Quan, a pancake restaurant in Saigon’s central district. The room’s size and comfort are its initial positive attributes. The restaurant serves Banh Xeo Central Vietnam type with a small size and crispy taste.
Address: 399 Le Van Luong Street, Phu Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo Binh Dinh, Go Vap district
A popular pancake restaurant in Saigon known for its incredibly low rates yet generous servings of toppings. With an affordable price, customers will be surprised with how much meat and shrimp are within. The cake looks like you want to devour it right away when it is first brought out since it is hot and crispy.
Address: 75 Le Duc Tho, Ward 6, Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo – Banh Khot 673, district 10
The price of a pancake is 45,000 VND. The pancakes are the restaurant’s specialty; they have a fairly thick dough that gives them a very satisfying crunch.
In addition, a huge cake is poured, and the filling is stuffed full of pork, green beans, bean sprouts, and five fresh shrimp. You can always get more fresh vegetables for free.
Address: 637 Ba Hat Street, Ward 6, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo Thanh Diệu, Binh Thanh district
The pancakes in this region are very comparable to those in the Central region. The cake is moderately crisp and has short stalks that are crispy and sweet from the turmeric powder, the shrimp and squid are moderately fresh, and the stir-fried beef is delectable. Three chefs are constantly frying cakes for guests as there are always a lot of people there.
A single-core cake costs 27,000 VND, while two different fillings cost 30,000 VND. It takes about 5 meals for 2 people.
Address: 80 Ung Van Khiem, Ward 25, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City
Banh Xeo in Saigon Rau Rừng Quán, Go Vap district
A large cake with a thin crust, minimal oil, and a strong aroma. Large amounts of pancakes are poured, and a huge platter holds the pancakes as well.
In contrast to other regions, where the sweet and sour sauce is more common, the dipping sauce here is rather different. For four individuals, a cake costs 100,000 VND will cover your meal
Address: 1 Pham Van Dong Street, Ward 3, Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City
You can try Banh Xeo the next time you come to Vietnam. Find out many other interesting articles about travel at Ftrip.
