Hoi An pancake: A crispy delight of Central Vietnam

Contents

1. What makes Hoi An pancake special?

Hoi An pancake (banh xeo Hoi An) is made with a thin rice flour batter filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. The pancake is fried to a golden hue in a cast-iron pan, creating a crunchy outer layer. When served, it is accompanied by fresh herbs and a special dipping sauce made from soy sauce, pork liver, sesame, and ground peanuts. This dish is traditionally eaten by hand.

What sets the pancake in Hoi An apart from other variations is its smaller size. The emphasis on a thinner, crispier pancake, along with its unique dipping sauce, gives it a distinctive flavor and texture not found in other regions of Vietnam.

Hoi An pancakes are smaller in size compared to other regional variations (Source: Collected)

More on: Vietnamese pancake – a signature Vietnamese delicacy

2. The best Hoi An pancake recipe

2.1. Ingredients

To make Hoi An pancakes, the essential ingredients include:

• Rice flour
• Shrimp
• Pork
• Bean sprouts
• Scallions
• Seasonings: fish sauce, salt, pepper
• Peanut oil
• Fresh herbs: mints, cilantro, and lettuce
• A dipping sauce made from soy sauce, pork liver, sesame, and ground peanuts

2.2. Instructions

To make an authentic Hoi An pancake at home, follow these steps:

• Prepare the batter: Begin by mixing rice flour with water to create a smooth batter. Let it rest for a few minutes to achieve the right consistency.
• Marinate the filling: In a bowl, season the shrimp and pork with fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Lightly sauté the mixture until the shrimp turns pink and the pork is just cooked through, ensuring they remain tender.
• Heat the pan: Use a deep cast-iron pan for even heat distribution. Heat the pan over medium heat, then coat it with peanut oil. For added flavor, you can brush the sides of the pan with scallions dipped in oil.
• Cook the pancake: Once the oil is hot, pour a thin layer of the batter into the pan, forming a round shape. Immediately add the sautéed shrimp, pork, and a handful of bean sprouts on top. Cover the pan with a lid to steam the pancake for a few minutes, allowing it to cook through.
• Fry until golden: Cook the pancake until it is crispy and golden brown on the edges. The signature sizzling sound (xeo) will indicate that the batter is cooking properly. Be cautious not to overcook.
• Serve: Once the pancake is ready, carefully remove it from the pan and place it on a serving plate. Serve hot with fresh herbs and the special dipping sauce made from soy sauce, pork liver, sesame, and ground peanuts.

The Hoi An pancake recipe brings the culinary tradition of Hoi An to life (Source: Collected)

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3. Best places to try crispy pancakes in Hoi An

3.1. Banh xeo Gieng Ba Le

• Address: 45-51 Tran Hung Dao Street

• Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 10:30 PM

Tucked away in a small alley, Banh xeo Gieng Ba Le is famous for its delectable pancakes. This eatery offers a set menu featuring four specialties: Hoi An pancake, grilled pork satay, grilled pork, and spring rolls. Diners can also enjoy tea made with water sourced from the historic Ba Le Well.

3.2. Banh xeo Khue

• Address: Alley 83/5, Nguyen Duy Hieu Street

• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Banh xeo Khue is a family-run eatery in Hoi An, set in the spacious yard of a home. The food here is delicious and reasonably priced. The pancake is large and served flat rather than folded. The menu also features grilled pork, pork skewers, vermicelli with grilled pork, and crispy shrimp rolls.

3.3. Banh xeo Ba 9

• Address: Alley 92, Phan Chu Trinh Street

• Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM

For those wondering where to eat Hoi An pancake, Banh xeo Ba 9 is a must-visit. The crispy pancake here is paired with fresh herbs from Tra Que Vegetable Village, homemade kimchi, and a special family sauce. The menu also offers pork skewers, along with free refills on the herbs and rice paper.

Banh xeo Ba 9 is a famous Vietnamese pancake restaurant in Hoi An (Source: Collected)

3.4. Banh xeo Co Anh

• Address: 9 Thoai Ngoc Hau Street

• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

For the best banh xeo in Hoi An, head to Ms. Anh’s, which is tucked behind a small hotel. The food is delicious and served quickly, with all dishes priced at 35,000 VND, including pancakes, pork skewers, and shrimp spring rolls. Its peanut soy sauce is exceptional and won’t be found elsewhere.

3.5. Banh xeo Hai Nam

• Address: 103 Ly Thai To Street

• Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Banh xeo Hai Nam offers a simple menu featuring Hoi An pancakes, spring rolls, pork satay, and grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves. On certain days, it also serves grilled stingray. Instead of serving by the plate, each banh xeo is sold individually for just 7,000 VND, making it one of the cheapest places in Hoi An to enjoy this local favorite.

3.6. Banh xeo Tra Que

• Address: Hai Ba Trung Street, near Tra Que Vegetable Village

• Opening hours: 3:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Banh xeo Tra Que is a hidden gem, popular with locals but not well-known among tourists. The prices are budget-friendly, with a portion of five Hoi An pancakes for just 35,000 VND. Its nem lui is also a standout. Banh xeo Tra Que is located near Tra Que Vegetable Village, a bit far from the ancient town.

Don’t forget to visit Banh xeo Tra Que after your visit to Tra Que Vegetable Village (Source: Collected)

3.7. Ho Lo Quan

• Address: 20 Tran Cao Van Street

• Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Ho Lo Quan is a charming restaurant in Hoi An that offers a variety of signature Hoi An dishes, including banh xeo, white rose dumplings, and cao lau. The cozy ambiance creates a warm dining experience. The culinary journey here exceeds expectations, with each dish delivering a perfect harmony of flavors for an enjoyable culinary tour of Hoi An.

3.8. Banh xeo Ba Tien

• Address: 409 Hai Ba Trung Street

• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Banh xeo Ba Tien is a renowned eatery with over 20 years of serving rustic flavors that captivate both locals and tourists in Hoi An. The menu features many typical dishes of Hoi An. On the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month, it offers vegetarian pancakes and spring rolls.

3.9. Hung Food

• Address: 24 Ba Trieu Street (delivery only)

• Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Hung Food, better known as Banh xeo Dai Loc, is known for its generously sized Hoi An pancakes, which are priced at just 25,000 VND per piece. In addition to pancakes, it also offers pork skewers and spring rolls. Hung Food now operates solely online. For orders, contact 0775451101 or 0935524598.

Banh xeo Dai Loc offers pancakes at 25,000 VND each (Source: Collected)

*The information in this article is for reference purposes only. Contact the eatery for the most up-to-date details.

Hoi An pancake is a must-try dish that embodies the rich culinary heritage of the region. Its unique flavor, crisp texture, and variety of fillings make it a delightful experience for food lovers. Don’t miss the chance to savor this iconic Vietnamese delicacy during your visit to Hoi An.

In addition to banh xeo, there are several other must-try dishes that showcase the region’s culinary delight. Be sure to sample Hoi An chicken rice, cao lau, mi Quang and rose dumplings for a true taste of the local flavors.

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Visit VinWonders Nam Hoi An to add an extra layer of excitement to your Hoi An trip

Best-selling products

-36%

[VinWonders Nam Hoi An] – Standard Admission Ticket

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[-10%] – VIP River Safari Ticket*

6 USD

-15%

[Nam Hoi An Signature] Admission Ticket + Buggy + F&B Voucher (300.000 VND) | FREE Capybara Cap

39 USD47 USD

[VinWonders Nam Hoi An] – Standard Admission Ticket

23 USD