Vietnamese cakes offer a mouth-watering journey through Vietnamese cuisine. These delectable creations are celebrated for their diverse flavors and cultural significance, making them must-tries for food enthusiasts.
When embarking on a Vietnam travel adventure, exploring the vibrant world of Vietnamese food is an absolute must. Among the culinary treasures waiting to be discovered, Vietnamese cakes stand out as delightful confections that showcase the country’s culinary prowess. Below are the 20 most popular Vietnamese cakes that will take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey.
1. Banh chung – the most famous traditional Vietnamese cake
Banh chung, or Vietnamese chung cake, is one of the traditional Vietnamese foods during the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes the harmony between heaven and earth, representing Vietnamese people’s aspirations for a prosperous new year. Made with delicious ingredients such as sticky rice, pork, mung beans, and pepper, it undergoes a meticulous wrapping and boiling process, resulting in a fragrant and delectable dish. The soft and chewy outer layer complements the savory fillings, making it an indispensable dish during the Tet holiday. This Vietnamese Tet cake reflects the cultural heritage, family togetherness, and reverence for ancestors.
2. Banh tet – Vietnamese cylindrical sticky rice cake
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If banh chung represents the Tet holiday in the northern region of Vietnam, banh tet represents that in the southern region. This Vietnamese rice cake is cylindrical in shape, symbolizing family love and the desire for a prosperous life. The traditional ingredients used to make this Vietnamese cake are generally similar to banh chung. However, it uses banana leaves instead of dong leaves for wrapping. Additionally, this Vietnam sticky rice cake comes in various fillings, both savory with meat and sweet with bananas, offering a wide range of flavors to explore.
3. Banh chuoi – Vietnam banana cake
Bananas are a common fruit in Vietnam, and to make the most of them, the locals have created the delicious Vietnamese banana cake. This Vietnamese fruit cake typically consists of sliced bananas and a creamy mixture of condensed milk, sugar, and coconut milk. It is then steamed or baked to create a sweet, creamy, and irresistible treat. Banh chuoi can also be served with vanilla ice cream or drizzled with caramel to make delightful variations that will satisfy every palate.
4. Banh gio – one of the tastiest Vietnamese cakes
Banh gio is a simple snack that can be easily found on every street corner in Vietnam. The soft and doughy outer layer combines with a sweet and savory filling of minced pork and wood ear mushrooms, creating an unforgettable flavor. On a chilly day, enjoying a warm banh gio with pickled vegetables, chili sauce, and Vietnamese sausage will surely warm your stomach and heart.
5. Banh phu the – a Vietnamese symbol for love
Banh phu the, or husband and wife cake in Vietnam, is a traditional Vietnamese jelly cake often seen at wedding feasts. True to its name, this Vietnamese cake is a Vietnamese symbol for love, happiness, and prosperity for newlyweds. The cake has a delightfully crispy and chewy texture, complemented by a sweet mung bean filling and strands of coconut. Its vibrant colors derived from natural ingredients will make a lasting impression at first glance.
6. Banh cam – Vietnamese orange cake
Banh cam is a familiar Vietnamese cake that is often sold outside school gates. These round adorable treats are made from glutinous and regular rice flour, deep-fried to a crispy perfection. Inside, they are filled with a deliciously creamy mung bean paste that exudes a delightful aroma. This Vietnamese cake is typically coated with sesame seeds or a layer of caramelized sugar on the outside, adding to its sweet flavor.
7. Banh da lon – Vietnamese layer cake
Banh da lon is a Vietnamese traditional cake often enjoyed at morning markets in the Southern region. This Vietnamese cake is crafted from tapioca starch, mung beans, pandan leaves, and more. What makes this treat unique is that you can peel off and savor each layer of the cake with friends amidst the bustling atmosphere of the market.
8. Banh tai heo – a favorite Vietnamese cake of many ages
Banh tai heo is a favorite childhood snack for many. These crispy round treats with cute pig’s ear-like shapes are made from simple ingredients like wheat flour, eggs, and sugar. They are fried to a golden crispness and boast a subtle sweetness. They are conveniently pocket-sized and perfect for snacking while watching movies or socializing with friends.
9. Banh bo nuong – Vietnamese honeycomb cake
Banh bo nuong, or Vietnamese honeycomb cake, is a type of Vietnamese pandan cake. It is one of the most iconic cakes in Vietnamese cuisine. This Vietnamese cake is made from rice flour, yeast, coconut milk, and flavored with pandan leaves or brown sugar. Then, it is carefully baked to achieve its characteristic honeycomb-like structure. You can dip banh bo nuong into coconut milk for a richer flavor or enjoy it with tea if you prefer a lighter taste.
10. Banh pia – Vietnamese durian cake
Vietnamese pia cake actually originated from the mooncakes in Chaozhou. The original pia cake had pork and green beans as the filling, with multiple thin layers of pastry. Nowadays, it comes in various flavors such as durian, red bean, and sesame. This Vietnamese cake is considered a famous specialty of Soc Trang Province, often seen in significant celebrations in the region. You can try or buy it as one of the iconic Vietnamese food souvenirs.
