Vietnamese Steamed Savory Rice Cake (Banh Beo)

Banh Beo is like a little burst of happiness in Vietnam. These small steamed rice cakes look like cute saucers and come topped with shrimp, crispy pork skin, and green onions. The real magic happens when a bit of savory fish sauce is added – it's a flavor explosion. Banh Beo isn't just about eating; it's like a happy dance for your taste buds.

In addition to savory cakes, Hoi An is the only place where you can find sweet variants of them. Traditionally, Banh Beo is consumed from a porcelain bowl with a bamboo spoon. An excellent Banh Beo is said to have an indentation in the middle that is designed to keep the savory, tasty stuffings. This is why some people refer to it as the Vietnamese equivalent of tapas.

To enjoy Banh Beo, you typically use a spoon to lift the mini rice cake and its toppings, dip it into a tasty fish sauce with a hint of lime and chili, and savor the great bite. These little candies are a visual feast as well as a feast for the senses. Therefore, if you ever find yourself meandering through Vietnamese streets, make sure to sample Banh Beo. They are a little but amazing treat that represents the core of Vietnamese street food culture.

Main ingredients: fresh shrimp, rice powder, salt, minced garlic and chili, fresh onion in pork fat, fish sauce, sugar

Recommended places: Vo Thi Sau in Hue, Vietnam

Price range: about 27.000 VND to 40.000 VND (~ 1,1 – 1,6$)