Banh xeo in Central Vietnam, a rustic yet captivating culinary symbol, has long been a familiar and beloved dish for generations of Vietnamese people. More than just a delicious meal, banh xeo embodies the soul of the countryside, a crystallization of the unique culinary cultural values of the sunny Central region. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around The World) to explore this fascinating culinary journey, from the secrets of preparation to how to fully enjoy the renowned flavor of Central Vietnamese banh xeo.
The Origin and Cultural Significance of Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo
Banh xeo, although present throughout the country, carries a unique flavor and characteristics in each region. Central Vietnamese banh xeo stands out with its small size, crispy, golden crust, embracing a rich shrimp and meat filling. The name “banh xeo” originates from the delightful “xeo xeo” sizzling sound when batter is poured into a hot pan, a familiar sound reminiscent of cozy family meals.
In Central Vietnamese culinary culture, banh xeo is not only a daily dish but also appears during holidays, Tet, ancestral anniversaries, or family and friends gatherings. This dish reflects the ingenuity and meticulousness of Central Vietnamese women, from selecting rice and mixing batter to preparing the filling and making dipping sauce. Central Vietnamese banh xeo is also a bridge connecting people, a gift from the homeland that expatriates always remember.
Secrets to Making Delicious Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Authentic Flavor
To achieve delicious and authentic Central Vietnamese banh xeo, ingredient preparation and cooking play a crucial role. Below is a detailed recipe to help you make this appealing dish yourself in your home kitchen.
Ingredients Preparation
- Banh xeo batter: 200g rice flour, 50g tapioca starch (for crispiness), 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (for color and aroma), scallions, seasonings (salt, sugar, MSG). You can use pre-mixed banh xeo flour to save time.
- Filling: 200g pork belly (or pork shoulder), 200g fresh shrimp, 100g bean sprouts, onion (optional).
- Accompanying fresh vegetables: Lettuce, fish mint, herbs, basil, perilla, cilantro, cucumber, green banana, green mango… (depending on preference).
- Dipping sauce: Delicious fish sauce, sugar, lemon (or vinegar), garlic, chili, water.
- Other seasonings: Cooking oil, shallots, minced garlic, satay (optional).
Fresh ingredients for making flavorful Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo
Detailed Steps
Step 1: Making Banh Xeo Batter
- Fresh batter (traditional): Wash good rice thoroughly, soak for 3-4 hours. Grind rice into a smooth batter with enough water, strain through a sieve. Add tapioca starch, turmeric powder, chopped scallions, salt, sugar, MSG, and stir well. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
- Pre-mixed batter: Pour pre-mixed banh xeo flour into a bowl, add water and beer (beer helps make the pancake crispy and airy). Stir well, add scallions, let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
Tip: Adding a little coconut milk to the batter will make the pancake richer and more fragrant.
Step 2: Pre-processing Ingredients
- Pork: Wash thoroughly, slice into thin, bite-sized pieces. Marinate pork with minced shallots, minced garlic, a little salt, pepper, sugar, satay (optional).
- Shrimp: Wash thoroughly, trim whiskers, remove black vein. If shrimp are large, you can halve or third them. Marinate shrimp similarly to pork.
- Bean sprouts: Wash thoroughly, drain.
- Onion: Peel, cut into wedges (optional).
- Fresh vegetables: Pick and wash thoroughly, soak in diluted salt water, drain.
Step 3: Marinating Banh Xeo Filling
Marinate pork and shrimp separately to retain their characteristic fresh flavors. Marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow seasonings to permeate.
Tip: Marinating pork and shrimp in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours will make them more tender and flavorful.
Secrets to marinating flavorful and irresistible Banh Xeo filling
Step 4: Making Dipping Sauce
Central Vietnamese banh xeo dipping sauce typically has a harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, and salty taste. Simple dipping sauce recipe:
- 2 tablespoons delicious fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or rice vinegar)
- 4 tablespoons water
- Minced garlic, chili (to taste)
Stir well until sugar dissolves. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Tip: Adding a little pickled carrots and white radish to the dipping sauce will enhance the flavor and appealing color.
Step 5: Cooking Banh Xeo
- Prepare pan: Use a cast iron pan or small non-stick pan for beautifully shaped and evenly crispy pancakes. Place pan on stove, heat up.
- Pour batter: Add a little cooking oil to the pan, coat evenly. When oil is hot, add pork and shrimp, stir-fry briefly until just cooked. Ladle a scoop of banh xeo batter into the pan, swirl evenly to make a thin and round pancake. Add bean sprouts and onion (if desired) to the center of the pancake. Cover pan for about 30 seconds.
- Fry pancake: Uncover, fry pancake until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Fold pancake in half, remove to a plate lined with oil-absorbing paper.
Repeat the steps above until all batter and filling are used.
The process of making crispy and golden Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo
Enjoying Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo the Authentic Way
Central Vietnamese banh xeo is best enjoyed hot, fresh from the pan. The crispy crust, rich filling, combined with fresh vegetables and sweet, sour, and spicy dipping sauce create an unforgettable flavor.
Accompanying Fresh Vegetables
The diversity of fresh vegetables is an indispensable element to make banh xeo more appealing and balance the flavors. Common vegetables served with Central Vietnamese banh xeo include:
- Lettuce
- Fish mint
- Herbs
- Basil
- Perilla
- Bean sprouts
- Cucumber
- Green banana
- Shredded green mango
- Young lá cóc leaves (seasonal)
Flavorful Dipping Sauce
Authentic dipping sauce is the soul of banh xeo. The harmonious sweet, sour, spicy, and salty taste, with a hint of fragrant garlic and chili, will enhance the rich flavor of the dish.
Experience wonderful cuisine with Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo and its signature dipping sauce
Variations of Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo Across Regions
Despite sharing common characteristics, Central Vietnamese banh xeo has slight variations depending on each locality, creating diversity and richness for this dish.
- Binh Dinh “jumping shrimp” banh xeo: Famous for fresh tom dat shrimp, still jumping when added to the pancake, preserving its natural sweetness.
- Quang Ngai banh xeo: More diverse filling, can include beef, squid, or straw mushrooms.
- Hue banh xeo: Small size, thin crust, lighter filling.
Famous Places to Enjoy Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo
To enjoy authentic and delicious Central Vietnamese banh xeo, you can visit famous local eateries or food markets in Central provinces and cities such as:
- Da Nang: Con Market food court, banh xeo restaurants on Hoang Dieu, Phan Thanh streets.
- Hue: Banh xeo restaurants on Nguyen Truong To, Dinh Cong Trang streets.
- Quy Nhon: Ngoc Han Cong Chua street food area, seaside banh xeo restaurants.
- Nha Trang: Dam Market, banh xeo restaurants on Ngo Duc Ke, Bach Dang streets.
Conclusion
Central Vietnamese banh xeo is not just a delicious dish but also a part of culture, an unforgettable rich flavor of the homeland. Hopefully, with the recipe and tips above, you can make delicious, crispy Central Vietnamese banh xeo yourself to treat your family and friends. Don’t forget to explore other culinary specialties of Central Vietnam on your journey around the world!