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VietnameseNon-veg

Crispy Banh Xeo

Turmeric rice-flour crepe with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts.

35 min3 servesmedium

Crispy Banh Xeo is a classic protein-forward Vietnamese recipe built around a handful of pantry staples. It serves 3 and comes together in roughly 35 minutes from prep to plate. It sits in the comfortable middle ground: nothing intimidating, but it rewards a little patience during the roughly 35 minutes of active cooking. The method leans on high-heat searing, which is what gives the finished dish its signature texture and depth.

The headline ingredients here are rice flour, coconut milk and water. Spend a little time choosing well: fresher, more carefully-sourced versions of these will lift the whole plate, while every other element is mostly there to support them. A few sensible swaps: basmati and long-grain rice are usually interchangeable here.

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Nutrition · per serving

480

kcal

18g

Protein

54g

Carbs

22g

Fat

porkseafood

Ingredients

  • rice flour1 cup
  • coconut milk200 ml
  • water150 ml
  • turmeric1 tsp
  • shrimp150 g
  • pork150 g sliced
  • bean sprouts2 cups

Method

  1. 1
    Step 1 ~9 min

    Whisk batter ingredients; rest 10 min.

  2. 2
    Step 2 ~9 min

    Sear pork and shrimp in a hot pan.

  3. 3
    Step 3 ~9 min

    Pour thin batter to coat.

  4. 4
    Step 4 ~9 min

    Add sprouts, fold and slide out crisp.

Per-step times are approximate and based on the total cook time of 35 minutes.

Pro tips & common mistakes

  • Taste a small spoonful just before serving and adjust salt, acid (lemon or vinegar) and heat — that final balance check is what separates a good home cook from a great one.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Banh Xeo take to cook?
From prep to plate, Crispy Banh Xeo takes about 35 minutes and yields 3 servings. About a third of that is hands-on; the rest is the cooking itself.
Is Crispy Banh Xeo vegetarian?
No — this version contains non-vegetarian ingredients (rice flour, coconut milk, water). For a vegetarian take, replace the main protein with paneer, halloumi, mushrooms or extra-firm tofu and keep the same spices.
What are the key ingredients in Crispy Banh Xeo?
The headline ingredients are rice flour, coconut milk, water. The rest of the list is supporting cast — spices, aromatics and pantry staples — that round out the flavour rather than carry it.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes. The ingredient quantities scale linearly: halve for 2 servings or double for 6. Cooking times stay roughly the same, except for anything that depends on pan surface area — if you double a stir-fry, cook it in two batches rather than crowding the pan.
How should I store the leftovers?
Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently — low heat on the stove with a splash of water, or short bursts in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel so it does not dry out.
Can I freeze Crispy Banh Xeo?
This dish is best eaten fresh — freezing tends to soften the texture and dull the flavours. Make only as much as you will eat in 1–2 days.
What should I serve with Crispy Banh Xeo?
Crispy Banh Xeo pairs naturally with classic vietnamese sides — a simple grain, a fresh salad, or a light pickle to cut through richness. Aim for something that contrasts the main dish in texture or temperature rather than echoing it.
What if I do not have one of the main ingredients?
Most ingredients in this recipe have sensible swaps. Match like-for-like by texture and cooking time and you will land somewhere close to the original.