It’s Pancake, but Vietnamese Style

What is Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake)?

It’s got that seductive crispy, golden-brown crust. It has a crispy pancake like a layer made of a mix of turmeric powder and rice flour, stuffed with various ingredients, but most common are veggies, mung beans and meat, sometimes seafood or pork. The name of banh xeo is really interesting because the “xeo” refers to the sizzling sound it makes when you cook the batter. Its name loosely means “sizzling cake.” The sound is much more obvious when the batter hits a hot pan, but here’s some footage of one hissing from the heat (turn the sound up!). The dish’s origin is still a mystery; however; no matter where it first appeared, each region offers a unique experience. Until now, there are 2 main styles to make the layer of the pancake: crispy layer and thick layer.

The size and ingredients of the dish can vary in different regions, the southern banh xeo are bigger served with a lot of vegetables and bean sprouts, whereas the central ones are smaller made without bean sprouts. You may be surprised that more than 93 recipes are found to make a Vietnamese pancake, which can satisfy both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Different Versions of Banh Xeo in Vietnam

“Banh xeo” is prepared differently throughout the country. Tourists traveling about in Vietnam are sure to encounter a different recipe, and sometimes even a different name, for “banh xeo” depending on which region and province they are visiting.

Banh xeo in the Southern region – the biggest style

Some wonder about the difference between the pancakes in the central Vietnam and in the Mekong Delta. The distinction is the size: the cake of the Mekong Delta is much larger than that in the central region. In addition, the pancake in the central region is set in a mold, while the pancake in the Mekong Delta is set in a large pan. The batter get evenly spread across a large piping hot wok with a generous amount of oil, creating a crispy exterior that is folded in half when fully cooked. The result is a thin and savory pancake.

The attractiveness of the Mekong Delta pancake is the thin crispy. When enjoying this dish, you will feel pieces of banh xeo melt right in your mouth. Fillings are varied depending on each region but in Mekong Delta, it includes bean sprouts, mushrooms, shrimp, pork, chicken meat, chopped duck meat…The most notable part of the meal is the basket of herbs. The herbs will be the wrapper of your banh xeo. Using the lettuce leaf as base, add the mustard leaf next, then layer in on all the remaining herbs like Thai basil, mint. There’s also fish mint in the batch, an herb that has a wonderously bizzare fishy taste. Particularly, the pancake made from the mountain in An Giang use the best mountain vegetables. After you have your make shift veggie vessel, plop a piece of the banh xeo on top and roll it up like a mini spring roll. Dip the roll into the fish sauce and enjoy.

Because of the biggest size of this version, you should share your meal with your friends. Do not try to tackle this beast all by yourself because everything from slicing to the wrapping is best experienced when done in a group. This is the time for everyone to gather together.

Banh xeo in the Central region- a smaller crepe that is white in color.

Banh xeo Phan Rang

Banh xeo in Phan Rang is absolutely different from the one in Southern part. The cake is in small shape and thin ground rice.

Banh xeo Phan Rang sticks to the traditional banh xeo ingredients like pork, prawns, and bean sprouts – but goes one step further than its other Phan Rang contemporaries in the sauce department. Specifically, the accompanying condiment combines the salty goodness of fish sauce, chili for spice and a bit of tomato to give the whole thing a bit of acidity. What is more, banh xeo Phan Rang’s difference from others is peanut sauce – in this case, a light, subtly sweet and slightly watery concoction.

Banh xeo Hoi An

In addition to the well-known title of “ancient town”, Hoi An is also known as “the heaven of Vietnamese cakes”. There are many different types of cakes you can try here. One of the specialties is Hoi An’s version of Vietnam’s most famous pancakes – banh xeo. Like eating banh xeo in Saigon, banh xeo Hoi An is best eaten when it is hot and fresh out of the pan. If banh xeo Saigon is loved because of the spicy fish sauce and the lettuce leaf rolling paper, then Hoi An’s version is proud of its peanut sauce and the fresh herbs from Tra Que, the vegetable village in the area. The chewiness of moist rice paper and crunchy banh xeo blended together, combined with the greens and the creamy, nutty sauce will create a taste explosion in your mouth.

Banh xeo in the North

In addition to selling the crepes to patrons, vendors also prepare them en masse for birthday parties and festivals. Northern preparations of “banh xeo” are similar to the ones down south, but include special fillings like slices of Indian taro and manioc. In some regions, “banh xeo” is prepared thick, but Southern crepes are characteristically thin, crispy and served fresh out of the frying pan. The secret to extra-thin crepes is a deep frying pan and a quick wrist to coat the frying pan with the batter before it starts to set.

How to enjoy it like a Vietnamese

Some persons may prefer to eat it with chopsticks, but Bánh xèo is food meant to be eaten with your hands. You’ll always find a big plate of greens with a mix of herbs to go with it.  Initially, we cut it into bite-sized piece and put it in a rice paper dipped slightly water, some places may use salad or other veggies. Then, you place fresh vegetables and herbs and roll them tightly. Finally, you dip the roll into fish sauce called fish sauce with every bite, which is a perfect reinforcement completing these special pancakes.Here are the addresses of some most well-know Banh xeo restaurants in Ho Chi Minh CityBánh xèo Mười Xiềm: 225 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1.Bánh xèo Bà Hai: 64 Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street, Phu Nhuan District.Bánh xèo Ngọc Sơn: 103 Ngo Quyen Street, Ward 11, District 5.Bánh xèo An Quán: 71/5 Mac Thi Buoi Street, District 1.Source: beetrip.net; kimtravel.com