Bánh Xèo

Bánh Xèo, often called Vietnamese sizzling pancake, is one of the most iconic dishes you’ll find in Ho Chi Minh City. With its golden crispy crust, flavorful fillings, and fresh herbs, this dish offers an irresistible combination of textures and flavors that delight both locals and visitors.

1. What is Bánh Xèo?

The name "bánh xèo" literally means "sizzling cake", named after the sizzling sound it makes when the batter hits the hot skillet. It’s a savory rice flour pancake that’s pan-fried until crisp and typically folded in half, much like an omelet or crepe.

2. Key Ingredients

• Batter: Made from a mix of rice flour, turmeric powder, and coconut milk, creating a bright yellow and slightly creamy pancake.

• Fillings: Usually includes a generous portion of shrimp, thinly sliced pork, bean sprouts, and sometimes mushrooms or green onions.

• Accompaniments: Served with a basket of fresh herbs like mint, basil, perilla, lettuce, and sometimes pickled carrots and daikon.

• Dipping Sauce: A tangy, sweet nước chấm (fish sauce-based dip) made with lime juice, garlic, chili, and sugar, which adds a bold punch to each bite.

3. How to Eat It

Bánh Xèo is not eaten with chopsticks in the traditional sense. Instead:

• Tear off a piece of the pancake,

• Wrap it in lettuce or rice paper with herbs,

• Dip it into the fish sauce and enjoy the crunchy-soft-fresh-sour explosion.

This interactive style of eating makes it fun and communal—perfect for sharing!

4. Flavor & Texture

The dish is a perfect harmony of:

• Crispy and tender textures,

• Rich, savory fillings,

• Bright, fresh herbs,

• Sweet-sour-spicy dipping sauce.

Each bite offers a contrast of hot and cold, crunchy and soft, cooked and raw—making it a culinary experience that’s both balanced and exciting.

5. Where to Try Bánh Xèo in Ho Chi Minh City

• Bánh Xèo 46A Đinh Công Tráng – Famous and often crowded, known for its large and crispy pancakes.

• Bánh Xèo Ăn Là Ghiền – A great name meaning "Eat and get addicted" – and it lives up to that.

• Bánh Xèo Mười Xiềm – A modern chain offering various regional versions of bánh xèo.

In Summary

Bánh Xèo is more than just a street food—it’s a symbol of Southern Vietnamese hospitality and flavor. Whether you're dining at a street-side vendor or a sit-down restaurant, enjoying a plate of bánh xèo in Ho Chi Minh City is a must-try culinary adventure that captures the soul of the city's vibrant food culture.