Banh Xeo Recipe (Vietnamese Crepe)

During your trip to Vietnam, Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe) stands out as an essential culinary experience, combining unique flavors and conviviality. This crispy crepe, a symbol of Vietnamese culinary richness, quickly becomes an unforgettable memory of your stay. And if, once you return home, you prolonged this gastronomic journey? With simple ingredients, it’s entirely possible to recreate this dish at home. Discover the secrets of this emblematic recipe with Horizon Vietnam and bring back to life the authentic flavors of your Vietnamese adventure, right in your own kitchen!

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe)

Why the name “Banh Xeo”?

The name “Bánh Xèo” comes from the particular sound produced during its cooking. In Vietnamese, “bánh” indicates a crepe or cake, and “xèo” imitates the crackling that is produced when the batter is poured into a hot pan. This appetizing sound, at the same time joyful and familiar, reflects the entire essence of this dish.

The name Bánh Xèo comes from the characteristic crackling sound xèo xèo made when the batter is poured into a hot pan

Bánh Xèo is not just a crispy crepe, it’s an experience that begins with its preparation, with that evocative crackling that announces a moment of sharing and gastronomic pleasure.

Diversity of Banh Xeo throughout Vietnam

Banh Xeo, a true treasure of Vietnamese gastronomy, comes in a multitude of regional variants, each of which reflects the cultural and culinary richness of Vietnam. This emblematic dish, appreciated for its crispy consistency and authentic flavors, offers a unique taste experience according to local traditions and available ingredients.

In Southern Vietnam

Banh Xeo from the South is generally larger and offers more varied fillings

Banh Xeo, an emblematic specialty of Southern Vietnam, is a thin and crispy crepe that captivates with its authentic flavors. Prepared with rice flour, coconut milk and turmeric, this golden crepe is generously filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and sometimes scallions. In the South, Banh Xeo stands out for its larger size and the richness of its fillings, while the coconut milk present in the batter gives it a subtle sweetness. Served with lettuce leaves, fresh herbs like mint and coriander, and accompanied by the famous Nuoc Châm sauce, it’s enjoyed by wrapping a piece in a lettuce leaf, adding a touch of freshness to every bite. This dish, a symbol of generosity and sharing, is a must in the lively markets and traditional restaurants, offering an unforgettable culinary experience and an authentic taste of the richness of Vietnamese cuisine.

In Central Vietnam

In Central Vietnam, Banh Xeo stands out for its refined character and more pronounced flavors, particularly in Huê, the ancient imperial city. The crepes here are smaller and slightly thicker, with a soft texture and a hint of spices that add character.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to reflect the culinary heritage of the region. Filled with shrimp, pork or other local specialties, these crepes are served with fragrant Nuoc Mam sauces that enhance their taste. This version of Banh Xeo embodies the elegance and richness of Vietnamese cuisine, offering an authentic and memorable taste experience to all lovers of culinary discoveries.

Banh Xeo from Central Vietnam is often small in size, but stands out for its perfectly crispy texture

Banh Xeo from Central Vietnam, a true culinary treasure of the region, stands out for its smaller size and thicker texture compared to the Southern version. This crepe, made with rice flour and turmeric, shows a nice golden and crispy color. Unlike the sweetness brought by coconut milk in the South, the Central version favors a simple batter, highlighting the filling composed of shrimp, pork and bean sprouts.

In the heart of Central Vietnam, particularly in cities like Huế, Banh Xeo is often accompanied by thin rice cakes for wrapping pieces of crepe, as well as fresh herbs and slightly spicy Nuoc Châm sauce. This combination of textures and flavors, at the same time crispy and soft, offers a unique taste experience, reflecting the refinement and diversity of central cuisine. Tasting a Bánh Xèo in this region means immersing yourself in a rich culinary tradition, steeped in authenticity and generosity.

A little secret: Just below, we reveal the complete recipe for preparing this delicious Banh Xeo, emblem of Central Vietnam, directly at home.

Homemade Banh Xeo Recipe

Returning from Vietnam, the memory of the crispy and fragrant taste of Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe) still accompanies you. With this homemade recipe, you have the opportunity to recreate this emblematic dish and relive all the authenticity of Vietnamese flavors, right at home. A gastronomic experience that prolongs your journey.

Ingredients:

1. For the batter:

• 200 g of Bánh Xèo flour mix
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 150 ml of sparkling water (or beer for a lighter consistency)
• 200 ml of water
• 50 ml of coconut milk
• Scallions finely chopped

2. For the filling:

• 200 g of pork (finely sliced)
• 200 g of shrimp (peeled and cleaned)
• 100 g of bean sprouts
• A little nuoc-mam (fish sauce)
• A pinch of pepper and salt
• Some shallots (sliced)

3. For the sauce:

• 4 ladles of water
• 2 ladles of rice vinegar
• 1.5 ladles of sugar
• 1 ladle of fish sauce
• Garlic and red chili finely chopped

4. For serving:

The herbs accompanying Banh Xeo are extremely varied

• Salads
• Aromatic herbs (Cilantro, Mint, Basil, Vietnamese Lemongrass)
• Rice cakes

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the batter

Add some chopped scallions to the batter to enhance the flavor

• In a bowl, mix the flour, turmeric and salt.
• Gradually add the sparkling water, water and coconut milk, whisking to avoid lumps.
• Incorporate the chopped scallions.
• Let the batter rest for 30 minutes to achieve optimal consistency.

Step 2: Prepare the filling

The main filling is made up of shrimp and pork

• Heat some oil in a pan.
• Sauté the shallots until they become fragrant.
• Add the pork and shrimp, season with fish sauce, a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Cook until the ingredients are well browned. Set aside!

Step 3: Prepare the sauce

Nuoc Cham sauce is the soul of Banh Xeo dish

• Mix the water, rice vinegar, sugar and fish sauce in a bowl.
• Add the finely chopped garlic and red chili according to your preferences to intensify the flavor.

Step 4: Prepare the crepes

Place a portion of filling and a handful of bean sprouts on half of the Banh Xeo crepe

• In a hot non-stick pan, add a drizzle of oil.
• Pour a small ladle of batter and spread it thinly over the entire surface.
• Add a portion of filling and some bean sprouts on half of the crepe.

The Banh Xeo appears crispy at first glance

• Cover and let cook until the edges become crispy.
• Fold the crepe in half.

Step 5: Serve

The Banh Xeo dish is ready to be enjoyed

• Arrange the Bánh Xèo with salads, aromatic herbs (mint, basil, cilantro) and rice cakes.
• Dip each bite in the sauce to taste all the richness of this dish.

For a clear and easy-to-follow demonstration, discover our Banh Xeo recipe video, the famous Vietnamese crepe, made by Horizon Vietnam Travel. This video will guide you step by step to prepare this emblematic dish and recreate all the authenticity of Vietnamese flavors in your kitchen.

Preparing Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe) at home means inviting authenticity and the charm of Vietnam into your daily life. Easy to make and always delicious, this emblematic dish is perfect for a moment of warm and tasty sharing. Enjoy every step, from cooking to tasting, and savor these moments full of unique flavors. Enjoy your meal and happy culinary discovery!