Vietnamese Bánh Xèo Rice Flour Pancake

Name: Vietnamese Bánh Xèo Rice Flour Pancake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3-4
Ingredients: 150g rice flour; 300ml coconut milk; 6 spring onions, thinly sliced; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 150g beansprouts; 2 banana shallots, thinly sliced; 300g vannamei prawns, cut into large pieces; Large bunch mint, leaves picked; Large bunch coriander; 5 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons caster sugar; 2 birds eye chillies, finely sliced; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; Squeeze of lime juice; 2 baby cucumbers, sliced; 1 lettuce, leaves separated; Oil for cooking

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Author:

Drogo

Servings

3-4

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Bánh xèo is a crispy, savoury Vietnamese rice pancake made from rice flour and turmeric, which gives it its distinctive golden-yellow colour. Often described as a Vietnamese crepe, this popular street food is filled with prawns, beansprouts and fresh herbs, creating a delicious combination of crunchy, fragrant and savoury flavours. In this authentic bánh xèo recipe, the pancakes are served with lettuce leaves and a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce known as nuoc cham, allowing you to wrap and dip each bite for the full Vietnamese dining experience.

The secret to a great Vietnamese rice pancake is cooking it in a very hot frying pan, which helps create the signature lacy edges and crisp base. This versatile rice flour pancake can be adapted with a variety of fillings, from different types of prawns to slices of cooked pork belly, making it easy to customise while staying true to the spirit of a classic bánh xèo recipe.

Ingredients

150g rice flour
300ml coconut milk
6 spring onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
150g beansprouts
2 banana shallots, thinly sliced
300g vannamei prawns, cut into large pieces
Large bunch mint, leaves picked
Large bunch coriander
5 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons caster sugar
2 birds eye chillies, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Squeeze of lime juice
2 baby cucumbers, sliced
1 lettuce, leaves separated
Oil for cooking

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Directions

Step 1, Combine the fish sauce, caster sugar, birds eye chillies, garlic, lime juice and a splash of water. Mix well and set aside.
Step 2, Combine the rice flour, coconut milk, 400ml water, 2 sliced spring onions and turmeric with a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar. Mix well.
Step 3, Place a small non-stick frying pan over high heat. When it’s really hot, add a splash of oil and fry a few pieces of shallot and the prawns briefly, until the prawns turn pink.
Step 4, Add a small ladleful of batter and add a few bean sprouts on top. Cook for a couple of minutes, until golden and crisp on the bottom. If the pancake doesn’t look lacy in appearance, the pan isn’t hot enough.
Step 5, Fold each pancake onto a plate and serve with the herbs, cucumber, lettuce and dipping sauce.

Recipe Note

What is Bánh Xèo?

Bánh Xèo is a crispy Vietnamese rice pancake made from rice flour, turmeric and water or coconut milk. Often called a Vietnamese crepe, it is traditionally filled with prawns, beansprouts and fresh herbs and served with nuoc cham dipping sauce.

What is Bánh Xèo batter made of?

Traditional Bánh Xèo batter is made from rice flour, turmeric, water or coconut milk and a pinch of salt. This simple mixture creates the light, crispy texture that makes a Vietnamese rice pancake so distinctive.

Why is my Vietnamese rice pancake not crispy?

The key to a crispy Vietnamese rice pancake is using a very hot frying pan and avoiding overcrowding the pan with batter or filling. Allowing the pancake to cook undisturbed helps create the signature crunchy texture.

What do you serve with Bánh Xèo?

Bánh Xèo is typically served with lettuce leaves, fresh herbs and nuoc cham. Diners wrap pieces of the rice flour pancake in the lettuce before dipping them into the sauce.

Can I make Bánh Xèo ahead of time?

Bánh Xèo is best enjoyed fresh from the pan while crisp and hot. However, you can prepare the batter and fillings in advance, making it quick and easy to cook when ready to serve.

Is Bánh Xèo gluten-free?

Most traditional Bánh Xèo recipes are naturally gluten-free because the batter is made from rice flour rather than wheat flour. However, always check individual ingredients and sauces, particularly store-bought seasonings and dipping sauces.