Crispy Vietnamese Pancake (Banh Xeo)

Banh Xeo is a savory Vietnamese dish that can be best described as a crispy Vietnamese pancake or crepe. The word “Xeo” describes the sizzling sound when pouring the rice batter into the hot oil. This dish is popular in Vietnamese cuisine and is enjoyed as a casual meal, often served as a snack or main course.

The signature element in these nutritious cakes is rice flour, which is combined with water, turmeric powder, and coconut milk or coconut cream to form a thick yellow dough. Additional ingredients, most commonly green onions, bean sprouts, shrimp, and cubed pork or beef, are stir-fried before adding the mixture to the pan. The cake is fried in a pan at a low temperature and gently folded in half, keeping the ingredients safely inside the pancake.

Although the ingredients vary somewhat depending on the location, banh xeo is consumed across Vietnam. The traditional way to serve it is special - usually with veggies like lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers. They add a bit of fresh parsley, mint, and cilantro to make it extra tasty. The famous sauce (Nuoc Cham), which is usually served with Banh Xeo, is created with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chopped chili peppers, and garlic. Even though some people might prefer to use chopsticks to eat Banh Xeo, the greatest way to enjoy it is with your hands.

Main ingredients: rice flour, scallions, bean sprouts, shrimp, and cubed pork or beef

Recommended places: Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Price range: 20,000 VND – 25,000 VND (~ 1$)