The neighborhood resource for finding genuine Banh Xeo Vietnamese crepes in Ho Chi Minh City
There are many different types of cakes in Vietnamese cuisine, ranging from vegan to meat-based. We will also tell you about the Banh Xeo crepes in this article.
It is been said that cuisine is the soul of a culture. Food really does "talk." It is the quickest way to learn about any nation's culture. Therefore, this article might assist you in connecting with the Vietnamese soul if you have already arrived in Vietnam or are thinking about visiting in the near future.
As you are aware, Vietnam's tropical climate and natural surroundings make it an agricultural nation. Vietnamese food, then, also focuses on this regional custom.
Vietnamese Banh Xeo Crepe is among the best Vietnam specialties, along with Pho (Vietnamese soup), Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), Bun Bo Hue (Hue style beef noodles), Com Tam (Broken Rice), Xoi (Sticky rice), and Bun Dau Mam Tom (Noodles with tofu and fermented shrimp paste).
And Banh Xeo Vietnamese crepes are unquestionably the ideal made-from-rice dish.
Vietnamese people typically prepare banh xeo for family get-togethers or on the weekends. For Vietnamese kids, nothing makes them happier on chilly, rainy days than to wait for the first Banh Xeo while seated next to the stove.
What exactly is a Banh Xeo crepe from Vietnam?
Vietnamese crepe, or banh xeo, is a well-liked and well-known meal in Vietnam.
This rice flour crepe is filled with thinly sliced pork, whole shrimp, and bean sprouts. It can be folded into a half-circle shape or pan-fried into a circle.
The word "banh" actually refers to cake, and "xeo" to sizzling; the name comes from the loud sound that is produced when the flour mixture is poured into a hot pan.
You have two options: either eat just Banh Xeo or wrap it in a rice paper roll filled with various raw vegetable varieties and serve it with a variety of fish sauces.
A few foreign diners commented that Banh Xeo tasted and looked like a "salad roll," while others thought it tasted like "weird" raw vegetables and loved the mixed fish sauce despite the fish sauce's slight odor.
If you ever get the chance to travel throughout Vietnam, you should definitely try banh xeo in every place you visit. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are numerous variations of the dish that are still unique and delicious.
How different Banh Xeo crepe is due to different regions in Vietnam?
Though it is still referred to as "Banh Xeo," the dish varies depending on the area.
As far as you may know, there are three main regions of Vietnam: the North, the Middle (Central), and the South. Because of these geographical differences, people in Vietnam have different cooking styles and use different spices. This includes the recipes and flavors of Vietnamese banh xeo crepes.
The largest region in Vietnam is Banh Xeo, which is found in the South of the country, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta region.
The secret is to add a little turmeric powder into the rice flour to create beautiful yellow color. The cook fries Banh Xeo in a very large cast iron fan, which results in its size being large as a large dish and its beautiful yellow color.
To make it even more delicious, the locals typically add coconut milk to the rice flour in addition to the egg. The main ingredients are pork, shrimp, mung beans, and bean sprouts.
Fish sauce has a hint of sweetness and sourness. Additionally, there is a dish of mixed vegetables served as an accompaniment.
In the Central region, Banh Xeo is prepared into smaller crepes using clay molds.
The ingredients in this region differ slightly from those in the South. The flour mixture does not contain any turmeric powder. Eggs are merely occasionally added to that mixture. As a result, Banh Xeo is usually white, but occasionally it is yellow (with an egg base).
Additionally, people in certain provinces in the Central region typically use moistened rice paper to wrap Banh Xeo instead of using vegetables. Try experiencing the flavor of soft, moistened rice paper combined with crispy Banh Xeo in just one bite.
I promise that your first time trying rice paper and banh xeo will be an unforgettable experience.
On weekends or rainy days, people in the North of Vietnam also prepare banh xeo for family get-togethers and parties. However, the cake stays crispy for a lot longer when they do not add coconut milk.
The vegetables that are served are those that are popular in those regions. Well, other than banh xeo, it is difficult to find a dish in Vietnam that goes well with any kind of vegetable.
I promise you that one Vietnamese meal you simply must try is banh xeo!
Where to find the authentic Vietnamese Banh Xeo crepes in Ho Chi Minh City?
It is undeniable that Ho Chi Minh City is an extremely unique city. It brought together a large number of people from throughout Vietnam.
Thankfully, every local brought their unique culture with them and blended in with the new one. As a result, the only city that offers every variation of Vietnamese Banh Xeo mentioned above is Ho Chi Minh City.
To learn about Vietnamese Banh Xeo, there are numerous methods. You can book a Saigon Food Tour to travel around the city, and try all kinds of Banh Xeo just in one or two days. You can also go out with friends and explore new places, or you can just rent a bike and take pleasure in traveling on your own.
There are lots of ways to enjoy Banh Xeo. Banh Xeo is available in a lot of traditional markets and alleys. You can also try Banh Xeo at certain thrift stores.
In addition to breakfast, banh xeo can be served for lunch and dinner. When that time comes, you will have more options to choose from.
To find Vietnamese Banh Xeo crepes, you should visit these well-known locations for the first time:
1. Banh Xeo 46A
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang S.t, District 1, HCMC
It gets its name from the food stall's address. In addition to having one of the longest histories of selling banh xeo, Banh Xeo 46A is well-known for its authentic flavor.
Unfortunately, during "Banh Xeo rush hour," you might have to wait in line. So please, wait patiently and enjoy this unique dish.
To test your patience, I believe this could be an entertaining game. Who says they can not wait a "lifetime" to sample some of the world's best banh xeo?
2. Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem
Address 1: 204 Nguyen Trai S.t, District 1, HCMC
Address 2: 213 Bis Nam Ky Khoi Nghia S.t, District 1, HCMC
In addition to Vietnam, the USA, and a few other nations, Muoi Xiem is a well-known brand of Banh Xeo. This brand has won numerous honors in both domestic and foreign culinary competitions.
As a result, a lot of Vietnamese and foreign diners choose this restaurant to enjoy Banh Xeo.
One advantage of this location is that, in addition to the classic version, you can customize your own Banh Xeo recipe by selecting and incorporating a variety of mushrooms. For vegetarians, this is the ideal recommendation.
3. An La Ghien
Address 1: 74 Suong Nguyet Anh S.t, District 1, HCMC
Address 2: 100 Cao Thang S.t, District 3, HCMC
For foreigners, especially vegetarians, who wish to sample various Banh Xeo fillings, An La Ghien is also highly recommended. At a very affordable price, this restaurant serves over ten varieties of Banh Xeo fillings.
4. Banh Xeo Mien Tay
Address: 31/6 Hoang Hoa Tham S.t, Tan Binh District, HCMC
Banh Xeo Mien Tay is a special version of Mekong Delta.
Try this large, gorgeous yellow Banh Xeo that is packed full of various ingredients and inhale the aroma of freshly cut veggies. It is never too costly to learn about Mekong Delta culture, and you do not even need to leave Ho Chi Minh City.
5. Banh Xeo Ba Hai
Address: 64 Nguyen Trong Tuyen S.t, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC
The vegetables that are served at Banh Xeo Ba Hai set it apart from other restaurants in some way.
The restaurant uses raw vegetables that are gathered from forests, as opposed to common vegetables found elsewhere.
More than a dozen vegetarian-friendly varieties of banh xeo are available here.
Here are some advice for you on the way to discover Banh Xeo taste:
First of all, each version has a unique flavor that you must experience as much as you can in order to fully appreciate them.
Second, it is best to consume Banh Xeo while they are still hot.
Thirdly, Banh Xeo is an excellent option on chilly, wet days. Just picture yourself eating a hot banh xeo while sipping coffee in a quaint restaurant and watching the chef in action.
Finally, it is accurate to say that you can eat well in Vietnam on a very low budget. Banh Xeo and most dishes in Vietnam have reasonable prices for you to enjoy. Thus, you do not have to be overly picky when selecting a Banh Xeo restaurant here.
Final sayings,
Though different from ingredients and fish sauce or served vegetables, all Vietnamese Banh Xeo versions are enjoyed by thousands of foreign visitors.
Let me tell you a secret. People love having meals with both delicious dishes and a cozy environment, so do Vietnamese.
A Saigon Kiss girl is holding Banh Xeo
To experience a true Vietnamese atmosphere, let us locate a small eatery with amiable owners!
You can watch, converse with them, and take in the daily banh xeo while having a good time. That is how Vietnamese food tastes and how Vietnamese life sounds.
I hope your trip is enjoyable and that you discover Vietnam's best dish! Having limited time in Vietnam but still want to explore this local tasty food, check the award-winning food tour in Ho Chi Minh of Saigon Kiss team.