How to Make Irresistible Northern and Southern Banh Xeo

Banh xeo, the humble crispy pancake loved by so many, has become an essential part of Vietnamese cuisine. But each region has its own distinctive take on it. Join VN Cooking to explore how to make this unique dish the way each region does!

Northern banh xeo 

What makes it special: 

Northern banh xeo uses no coconut milk or eggs; the batter is made only from rice flour and turmeric powder. That's why the pancakes stay crispy and delicious even after they cool. 

Ingredients: rice flour, turmeric powder, pork, shiitake mushrooms, onion, bean sprouts, scallions, fresh herbs and lettuce to serve, and a few other seasonings. 

How to make Northern banh xeo:

Step 1: Mix the rice flour, salt and turmeric powder well to make the batter. Then stir in a little finely chopped scallion. 

Step 2: Wash the pork and slice it thinly into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the pork and shrimp. Wash the mushrooms, onion, herbs and bean sprouts.  

Step 3: Heat oil in a pan. Add the shrimp and pork mixture and the bean sprouts, cover and cook for about 2 minutes until the pancake is cooked and crispy. Then lift it out and fold it in half. 

Dipping sauce: 

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon fish sauce, half a tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon MSG and minced garlic and chili. Stir well and adjust to taste.

Central banh xeo

What makes it special: 

Central banh xeo is pleasantly chewy and crispy, with a rich aroma from the eggs. It is also notably small. 

Ingredients: rice flour, turmeric, scallions, eggs, mushrooms, onion, beef, shrimp and a few other seasonings. 

How to make Central banh xeo: 

Step 1: Peel the shrimp, remove the heads and tails, and chop. Wash the beef and slice it thinly into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Peel and thinly slice the onion. Pick over and wash the bean sprouts. Wash and finely chop the scallions. Put each ingredient in its own bowl.

Step 3: Mix the rice flour with the eggs and turmeric and stir well. 

Step 4: Grease the pan with a little oil. When the oil is hot, ladle in the batter and swirl to coat the pan. When the batter is almost cooked, add the pork belly, squid and fresh shrimp and fry for about 30 seconds. Add the bean sprouts and scallions, then fold the pancake in half.

Dipping sauce:

Mix 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon white sugar, 1 tablespoon lime juice and chopped chili with 2 tablespoons water and stir well.

Southern banh xeo 

What makes it special: 

Unlike in the North, Southerners usually use ready-made banh xeo flour and mix coconut milk into the batter. Scallions can be added for color and extra flavor.

Ingredients: banh xeo flour, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, pork, mung beans, coconut milk, onion, bean sprouts, scallions, fresh herbs and lettuce to serve, and a few other seasonings. The filling varies across the South, but it is mostly shrimp, a little fatty pork, mung beans and bean sprouts.

How to make Southern banh xeo:

Step 1: Put the banh xeo flour, coconut milk and a little salt in a mixing bowl and mix. Then add the scallions and coconut milk and mix thoroughly once more.

Step 2: Heat a little oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, fry the garlic until lightly golden, then add the shrimp, mushrooms and pork.

 Step 3: Heat a little oil in a large pan. When the pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon of batter and swirl to coat the pan, then cover for about 3 minutes. When the batter sets, add the filling, bean sprouts and a little onion, cover for about 4-5 minutes, then fold the pancake in half and flip so both sides turn evenly golden. Keep going until you run out of batter and filling. Remember to add a little oil for each pancake so it doesn't stick to the pan.

Dipping sauce: 

For a sweet and sour dipping sauce: 1 part fish sauce, 1 part sugar, 1 part vinegar (or the juice of 2 limes) and 5 parts water, plus finely minced garlic and fresh chili. Add some finely grated carrot to the sauce for a richer flavor.

This article has shared recipes and the differences between Northern and Southern banh xeo. Happy cooking!