Vietnamese shrimp cake: A Hanoi food that will blow your taste buds away

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Enjoy the fragrant Vietnamese shrimp cake (Source: Collected)

When it comes to Hanoi travel, tasting Vietnamese shrimp cake is a must. This delicious Vietnamese dish is commonly served as a snack or appetizer and is a must-try for those interested in the country’s cuisine. It is frequently accompanied by a range of dipping sauces, which further enhance the already delightful flavors of this dish.

1. About Vietnamese shrimp cake – a popular food of Hanoi

Vietnamese shrimp cake, or banh tom in Vietnamese, is a popular dish in Hanoi cuisine, which is a must-try Vietnamese food when you visit this Vietnam capital city. Shrimp cake originated from street vendors near West Lake and is now available in many upscale restaurants throughout the city.

When you try banh tom, you can taste a unique blend of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors. It is typically served hot with a special dipping sauce, along with salted green papaya and an array of fresh herbs and vegetables.

Interestingly, banh tom is believed to have originated from the Spanish tortillas de camarones, which was introduced to Vietnam during the French and Spanish occupation of the country’s major cities from 1858-1862.

Vietnamese shrimp cake is a must-try dish (Source: Collected)

2. Top 5 places to enjoy the best Vietnamese shrimp cake in Hanoi

2.1. West Lake shrimp cake

• Address: 1 Thanh Nien, Tay Ho, Hanoi 

• Opening hours: 80,000 VND – 130,000 VND 

• Price range: 9 am – 9 pm

West Lake shrimp cake is one of the most famous places to enjoy shrimp cake in Hanoi. The shop is spacious and airy with a nice view of West Lake. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious shrimp cake while watching the sunset over the lake.

The shrimp cake here has a crunchy texture with crispy golden fried flour. The shrimp is not too big and has a sweet meaty taste. Combined with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, this dish is irresistible and won’t make you feel too full after eating. 

In addition, the shop also offers many other delicious dishes such as soup, spring roll, crab, clam, hot pot, porridge, rice, and noodles.

West Lake Vietnamese shrimp cake is a specialty of Hanoi (Source: Collected)

2.2. Nghia Tan shrimp cake

• Address: A20, Nghia Tan, Cau Giay, Hanoi

• Opening hours: 10,000 VND – 50,000 VND 

• Price range: 1 pm – 10 pm 

If you are a fan of Vietnamese shrimp cake, another ideal place for you is Nghia Tan Shrimp Cake. Located in an alley, this shop has a small yet clean space. It is always crowded with customers, especially young people who love snacking.

Nghia Tan Shrimp Cake offers a diverse menu with many delicious snacks, including shrimp cake, fried fermented pork roll, pillow cake, dried beef salad, pig ear salad, and tofu pudding. The shrimp cake here has batter mixed with finely grated sweet potato, giving it a slightly sweet and chewy texture, while the shrimp is firm and flavorful.

Enjoy Vietnamese shrimp cake in Nghia Tan (Source: Collected)

2.3. Hang Bo shrimp cake

• Address: 

• • 57A Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 

• • 1 Dinh Ngang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 

• Price range: 25,000 VND – 55,000 VND

• Opening hours: 3 pm – 6 pm 

Ten years ago, this eatery was just a humble street vendor. Today, it has become a famous restaurant known throughout Hanoi. Despite its relatively small space, the restaurant is always crowded with patrons. As it is only open from 3 PM to 6 PM, it is advisable to plan your visit accordingly.

Hang Bo shrimp cake boasts a distinctive crust that is crispy and crunchy with every bite. The cake’s fillings provide a sweet and slightly chewy flavor from mashed mung beans. Although the shrimp here are small, they are always fresh, sweet, and well-seasoned with spices. 

The dipping sauce served is also a standout, providing a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. Moreover, a side of salted vegetables and fresh herbs enhances the taste further, making the dish a treat that you will never get tired of.

The crispy Vietnamese shrimp cake at Hang Bo (Source: Collected)

2.4. Ba Phuc shrimp cake

• Address: 20G2 Van Phuc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

• Price range: 20,000 VND – 60,000 VND 

• Opening hours: 9:30 am – 10 pm 

Banh Tom Ba Phuc is a delicious shrimp cake shop with roots in Da Nang. Although the space here is not large, it is always crowded with customers. The shop is arranged simply, with a cabinet full of golden shrimp cakes. The cakes are partially fried, and will be fried again when ordered to ensure crispness and warmth.

Each cake has two quite large, fresh, and sweet shrimp. The crust is evenly cooked so that it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Even if left for a while, the cake still retains its original crispiness. The dipping sauce here is also highly rated by many customers, with a tantalizing sweet and sour taste.

Banh Tom Ba Phuc is a delicious Vietnamese shrimp cake shop with roots in Da Nang (Source: Collected)

2.5. Hoe Nhai shrimp cake

• Address: 9 Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

• Price range: 20,000 VND – 30,000 VND 

• Opening hours: 2 pm – 7 pm 

Banh tom Hoe Nhai is a popular shop in Hanoi that serves delicious Vietnamese shrimp cakes. It is easy to find and has a clean and peaceful outdoor seating area. The menu also offers other tasty snacks like dumplings, pillow cakes, mixed sweet soup, and grilled pork skewers.

What sets this shop apart from others is the outer layer of the shrimp cake made from finely-grated sweet potatoes, giving it a crispy texture and slightly sweet taste. The dipping sauce here is also flavorful, with a sweet and sour taste that complements the papaya salads and herbs.

Banh tom Hoe Nhai (Source: Collected)

>>> Discover now: Hanoi street food – Plenty of tasty dishes with pocket-friendly prices

In addition to trying Vietnamese shrimp cake, on your Hanoi trip, do not miss out on visiting renowned attractions like Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Presidential Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House, Ngoc Son Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, Dong Xuan Market, Long Bien Bridge, etc.

Hanoi is not just known for its green spaces but also for its modern attractions such as VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium. Covering 4,000 square meters, Vinpearl Aquarium is home to over 30,000 marine creatures from around the world. Visitors will be impressed with the exotic underwater world and a series of fascinating shows here, such as The Mermaid, Dance of the Sea, and Flashmob.

Meanwhile, VinKE is an educational and entertainment center that offers play-and-learn games for children. Here, they can try out various professions such as doctor, firefighter, police officer, chef, and more. All the activities at VinKE are designed to bring fun and knowledge for children regarding their future career options. It is an excellent place for them to learn about the world in a playful way.

VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium

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In addition to Hanoi, Vietnam’s top tourist destinations include Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. These famous destinations are all easily accessible from Hanoi with direct flights. For the most satisfying trip, it is recommended to book accommodation in advance and stay at Vinpearl hotels and resorts. Vinpearl is one of the top hospitality brands in Vietnam, offering high-quality services and amenities, such as restaurants, bars, and swimming pools. 

To further unwind, tourists can head to the world-class entertainment complex of VinWonders, which offers many fantastic games and unparalleled experiences. Vinpearl and VinWonders are located throughout Vietnam’s most famous tourist destinations.

VinWonders Nam Hoi An

>>> Book rooms in Vinpearl Phu Quoc, Vinpearl Nha Trang, Vinpearl Hoi An, Vinpearl Da Nang to get a classy accommodation experience!

>>> Do not forget to book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An for a truly relaxing time!

Bánh tôm, or Vietnamese shrimp cake, is a beloved street food in Vietnam. Made with ground shrimp, flour, and spices, it is deep-fried for a crispy texture. Typically served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, fresh herbs, and vegetables, this dish is a must-try for visitors to Vietnam. It is a delicious representation of the country’s culinary heritage.