Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 4
Crispy, golden, and bursting with fresh herbs and bold flavors, Bánh Xèo is a beloved Vietnamese savory pancake that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! 🌿✨ Its name means “sizzling cake,” inspired by the sound it makes when the batter hits the hot pan. Made with a turmeric-infused rice flour batter, filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and served with fresh lettuce, herbs, and a zesty dipping sauce, Bánh Xèo is the perfect dish for a light breakfast, brunch, or even dinner.
Ingredients
🔥 For the Pancake Batter:
☑ 1 cup rice flour 🌾
☑ 1½ cups coconut milk (or water for a lighter version) 🥥
☑ ½ cup water 💧
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 turmeric powder ✨
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ 2 green onions, thinly sliced 🌿
🔥 For the Filling:
☑ ½ lb (225g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 🍤
☑ ½ lb (225g) thinly sliced pork belly or tofu (for a plant-based option) 🍖🌱
☑ 1 cup bean sprouts 🌱
☑ 1 small onion, thinly sliced 🧅
☑ Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, Thai basil 🌿
🔥 For the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm):
☑ ¼ cup fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegan) 🥢
☑ ¼ cup lime juice 🍋
☑ 2 tablespoons🥄 sugar 🍯
☑ 1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
☑ 1 small red chili, sliced (optional for heat) 🌶️
☑ ¼ cup water 💧
🔥 For Serving:
☑ Fresh lettuce leaves 🥬
☑ Lime wedges 🍋
☑ Extra herbs for garnish 🌿
👨🍳 Cooking Steps
🥞 Step 1: Prepare the Batter
1️⃣ In a bowl, whisk together rice flour, coconut milk, water, turmeric, and salt until smooth.
2️⃣ Stir in the sliced green onions and let the batter rest for 20-30 minutes.
🔥 Step 2: Cook the Pancakes
1️⃣ Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil.
2️⃣ Add a few slices of pork (or tofu) and shrimp, cooking until slightly browned.
3️⃣ Pour a thin layer of batter over the filling, swirling the pan to cover.
4️⃣ Add a handful of bean sprouts and onion slices on top.
5️⃣ Cover with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy.
6️⃣ Remove the lid, fold the pancake in half, and cook for another minute until golden and crispy.
🌿 Step 3: Make the Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm)
1️⃣ In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, chili, and water until the sugar dissolves.
🥬 Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
1️⃣ Serve the crispy Bánh Xèo with lettuce leaves, fresh herbs, and lime wedges.
2️⃣ Tear off pieces of the pancake, wrap them in lettuce with herbs, and dip into the Nước Chấm for the perfect bite.
Crispy, vibrant, and packed with fresh herbs—Vietnamese Bánh Xèo is the ultimate savory pancake experience! Who’s ready to hear that satisfying sizzle? 🌿🥞
