Banh Xeo: Vietnamese’s rustic pancake
Many people find it fascinating to discuss Vietnamese cuisine. There are dozens of kinds of variations regarding central ingredients and seasoning in each dish of this amazing country. Banh Xeo – or so-called the Vietnamese Pancake is also not an exception!
Known as the Vietnamese crepe, it is one of the most iconic food in the nation’s culinary and is cherished and sold all across Vietnam.
The crispy golden crust dip with a splash of sweet and spicy sauce will give you a flavor explosion.
This round crispy pancake is separated into two distinct types, which are the little sizes that are popular in the Central region. While the other, is more common in the South, comes with a larger size. It’s usually made on a round pancake mold about 2/3 of a hand and grilled over charcoal. The filling and size can vary from province to province.
A common scene of a Banh Xeo stall being displayed with various optional ingredients (shrimp, cake batter, meat, oil, and bean sprouts). The seller will often pay the most attention to the fire source inside the mold because this will affect the crispness of the crust.
Although the Central Vietnamese pancake is small in size, the body is thick, and the crust is crispy when fried. The Central Region pancake filling is mainly shrimp, pork, and squid with mung bean sprouts. The locals usually have “Banh Xeo” with raw vegetables (cucumber slices, sour mango, etc.)
THE ORIGINAL CENTRAL REGION WAY
Each locality in the Central Region has flexibility in how to prepare and enjoy banh xeo. Coming to Quy Nhon, you should enjoy jumping shrimp pancakes; this is also a delicious and famous Central region pancake. This pancake is filled with sweet, fresh shrimp; the cake is fragrant, crispy, and served with raw vegetables; it’s perfect.
Banh Xeo Quy Nhon filled with sweet, fresh shrimp; the outside visual is fragrant, crispy, and served with raw vegetables. Source: VinWonders.
In addition, rabbitfish pancakes in Chuon village are also a famous specialty that visitors should enjoy if they have the opportunity to visit Tam Giang Lagoon in the ancient capital of Hue.
The hand-sized “Ca Kinh” pancake that you should try at least once in your life! Source: VnExpress.
BANH XEO IN THE SOUTHERN VIETNAM
Southern pancakes in general and the Tien Giang region in particular are 3–4 times larger than Central ones. The pancake skin here is made more crispy, slightly soft, and chewy in the middle. Especially banh xeo, which is often more fragrant because of the flavor of coconut milk.
The filling for pancakes is usually made from pork belly, shrimp, mushrooms or duck meat, and shrimp. During the mid-year festival, extremely delicious termite mushrooms often appear. If anyone has had the opportunity to enjoy fried termite mushrooms with pancakes, they will never forget this rustic specialty.
This specialty in the Southern is many times bigger in size compared to the Centrals. It is usually formed on a big wok, thinner layer of batter with optional fillings.
Because the nature of preparing ingredients depends on each person’s preferences, vegetarians can also enjoy this attractive dish with mushrooms, carrots, bean sprouts, etc. An easier way to have a filling meal without spending too much effort is that you can choose to fry on a non-stick pan in your kitchen.
Savoury Vietnamese Crepes Stuffed with various fillings on a non-stick pan.
The vegetarian option is adding veggies to your liking, such as carrots, bean sprouts, onions and mushrooms.
Watching the maker handling these smoky hot pancakes filled with a combination of fresh ingredients on the mold made of terracotta is rather a sight to be seen! Not only will you be seduced by the aromatic scent, but this will only make you feel hungrier! Later on, while it is served, take a bite to feel the crunchy texture of the crust, don’t forget to grab a little bit of raw vegetables to dip into the tasty sweet chilly fish sauce. We are sure that you shall not easily forget this wonderful taste of life!
Facing the fact that most parts of the globe are now coaxed by the hazards of negative effects of industrialized, meat-oriented farming, Vietnamese traditional meals, just like Banh Xeo as we mentioned, are the appealing options that can pull your appetite back to life!
