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In the article "First Destination for an Asian Culinary Journey: Vietnam," a popular American travel website suggested that tourists should try banh xeo and goi cuon – two signature Vietnamese dishes. Banh xeo is described as "a thin pancake with a crispy golden crust, filled with a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, squid, and meat, or fresh spring rolls and fried egg rolls served with vegetables."
"Asia's diverse culinary map offers a feast for the senses, with each country boasting its own unique flavors and dishes," TravelPulse commented. Regarding Vietnamese specialties, the American travel site suggests warming the stomach with a hot bowl of pho. Following that, try banh xeo, a thin pancake with a crispy golden crust. These dishes showcase a harmonious blend of flavors and fresh ingredients.
Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) is a traditional dish that has long been a staple and familiar part of Vietnamese life. It can be found almost everywhere in Vietnam. In each province, banh xeo varies in size, filling, and dipping sauce. However, Southern banh xeo is considered to have the most distinctive flavor, with its crispy crust, delicious filling, and rich taste.
Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) impresses with its golden, crispy crust made from diluted rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric. The fillings are diverse and varied depending on the region, often including shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, mushrooms, etc. Banh xeo is served with fresh vegetables, vermicelli noodles, and a sweet and sour fish sauce dip with added chili, garlic, and lime, creating a harmonious and appetizing flavor.
A dish rich in Vietnamese cultural identity.
To eat banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake), people usually peel off pieces of the pancake, place them on a rice paper wrapper, add fresh vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, bean sprouts, perilla leaves, and romaine lettuce... and eat it with a rich, sweet and sour dipping sauce. Diners will immediately experience the delicious, rich flavor with a full range of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet tastes "dancing" in their mouths.
A dish popular with foreigners.
Vietnamese savory pancakes (Bánh xèo) come in many variations across different regions of Vietnam, such as Central Vietnamese, Western Vietnamese, and Northern Vietnamese pancakes. Each region has its own unique recipe and seasonings. However, Southern Vietnamese pancakes are considered to have the most distinctive flavor, with a crispy crust, delicious filling, and rich taste, adding a delightful and satisfying experience to your meal. Bánh xèo is often considered a light snack, popular at meals, parties, or as a treat.
Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) was also voted by CNN as one of the most popular street foods in 2016. When Michelin-starred restaurants arrived in Vietnam, the guidebook continuously added long-standing banh xeo restaurants to its Bib Gourmand list (delicious and affordable restaurants). When mentioning this dish, some tourists compare banh xeo to the French crepe.
