These delicious Bánh Bèo is the Vietnamese version of tapas. They are made and served in these tiny ceramic plates, packed with enormous flavors. They are irresistible when you are sitting and waiting for them to come out of the steamer. The wonderful aroma brought on by the scallion oil, fried shallot, the gorgeous orange-colored shrimp paste, tiny cubes of crunchy fried pork fat (tép mỡ) or crispy croutons and savory fish sauce are to die for.
You can divide these and politely eat them in halves or slurp the entire Bánh Bèo which is how I would prefer to eat them. Warning: You’ll need a whole tray of these to curb your hunger.

RECIPE: Bánh Bèo
For Bánh Bèo Batter
1 cup Rice Flour
1 tablespoons Tapioca Flour
2 cups Lukewarm Water
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Olive Oil or Oil
1 pound Shrimp, Shell on
3 Slices Sandwiches or Bread cut into small squares, for croutons or
Fried Fat Pork
1 bunch of scallions, finely chopped
Fried Shallot, optional
1/2-1 tablespoon Annatto Oil (dầu hạt điều), optional
Salt
Oil
1 cup Shrimp Broth
1 1/2 tablespoons Fish Sauce
11/2 tablespoons Sugar
1-2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
*
Preparing Bánh Bèo Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine Bánh Bèo batter except oil and stir well until you achieve a fine liquid batter.
Pour the clear water to another bowl or a measurement cup. Make sure to measure the amount of water you poured out. Discard the water. Place back the same amount of clean water to the batter bowl. This process is to eliminate the smell of old flour. 
Preparing Shrimp Paste Topping
Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to boil. Add shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove shrimps then peel and reserve the shrimps broth.
Place a frying pan on low heat, add the crushed shrimp. Season lightly with about 1/2-1 teaspoon fish sauce or a dash of salt and pepper. Use a spatula to stir and press the shrimp down for 5 minutes or until shrimps are completely dry and bluff.Add annatto oil to enhance the beautiful orange color of cotton shrimp. Stir it well for another couple of minutes. Turn off heat and continue to stir fry for a further a minute.
Preparing Croutons
Bring a frying pan with 1-2 tabespoons of oil to medium heat. Add pieces of sandwich to the hot oil. Remove the croutons with a strainer when they are turning golden. Place croutons on a paper towel to absorb the excess of oil. If prefer Fried Fat Pork (Tép Mỡ), click here for recipe.
![]() |
| Our homegrown beautiful, lush green onions (scallions) |
Place scallions and a dash of salt in a bowl. Heat a small sauce pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. When hot, pour the hot oil into the scallions bowl. Mix it well. Set aside.Steaming Bánh Bèo
*
Presentation



















