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.
11. Banh dau xanh – Vietnamese mung bean cake
Vietnamese mung bean cake is a traditional cake in Vietnam that originated in Hai Duong Province. It is made from mung beans, vegetable oil or pork fat, and sugar. This Vietnamese cake has a sweet taste, a fudge-like consistency, and a smooth texture. It is believed to first appear in the 1920s and has since become a beloved iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine. Traditionally, mung bean cakes are enjoyed with a cup of tea to balance out the sweetness.
12. Banh duc – one of the most delectable Vietnamese cakes
Banh duc is a traditional Vietnamese cake made from humble rice grains. There are various types of banh duc such as the plain one made from glutinous rice flour, cut into bite-sized pieces, and served with soy sauce or sesame. This variation has a refreshing and rustic flavor. Alternatively, there is a more elaborate banh duc served with a sweet and sour fish sauce and minced wood ear mushrooms. If you have a sweet tooth, you can also enjoy banh duc served with coconut milk and roasted peanuts.
13. Banh deo – a traditional Vietnamese moon cake
Banh deo is one of the two traditional Vietnamese mooncakes. Symbolizing luck and reunion, it is a treat that every Vietnamese person has savored. This Vietnamese cake is made from glutinous rice flour for a soft and chewy crust, combined with sweet syrup and a rich filling that can include taro, mung beans, coconut, lotus seeds, and more. Banh deo is typically enjoyed with hot tea to balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall experience.
14. Banh khoai mi – Vietnamese cassava cake
Banh khoai mi, or Vietnamese cassava cake, is a traditional Vietnamese cake that has been passed down through generations. Once cherished for sustaining people during difficult times, it is now loved for its deliciously sweet and creamy taste. Made from cassava, tapioca starch, coconut milk, eggs, vanilla, and other ingredients, this Vietnamese cake is mixed and baked to create a dense, moist, and fragrant cake that is hard to resist.
15. Banh troi nuoc – an unmissable cake for special events
Banh troi is one of the traditional Vietnamese cakes that are often enjoyed during the celebration of the third day of the third lunar month. These round chewy cakes are filled with a rich mixture of green mung beans and black sesame seeds, often served with a ginger-flavored syrup. This combination results in a sweet, gentle, and warm taste. You can easily find street vendors selling banh troi in the charming streets of Hanoi.
16. Banh tieu – a popular Vietnamese cake for street food tours
Banh tieu is a familiar name in the treasury of traditional Vietnamese cakes. Made primarily from wheat flour and roasted sesame seeds, these fried cakes puff up, creating a soft yet crispy texture that is highly appealing. Nowadays, to enhance the flavor, some variations include mung beans, condensed milk, pineapple, coconut, and more, offering a wide range of delicious options.
17. Banh com – a delicacy of Hanoi’s cuisine
Banh com is a famous specialty of Hanoi and an essential part of Vietnamese wedding ceremonies. The vibrant green color and the chewiness of green sticky rice blend perfectly with sweet mung beans. Enjoying this Vietnamese cake with hot tea in the cool autumn weather of Hanoi is ideal. Alternatively, you can buy this exquisite treat as a gift, which symbolizes the sophistication of Vietnamese cuisine.
18. Banh tro – one of the most flavorful cakes in Vietnam
Banh tro is a Vietnamese cake that is typically seen during the festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It has a unique preparation method, using glutinous rice soaked in ash water which gives it a beautiful amber color. The cake is then wrapped in banana leaves and boiled until fully cooked. Banh tro has a mildly sweet taste with chewy rice grains, often enjoyed with sugarcane syrup to enhance its flavor.
19. Banh cong – a specialty of the Khmer culture in the South
Banh cong is a specialty of the Khmer people in southern provinces, named after the tool used to make the cake which looks like a small cup. This Vietnamese cake is made from rice flour, wheat flour, and turmeric, combined with shrimp, meat, and mung beans. Afterward, it is deep-fried to achieve a golden and crispy exterior, along with a soft and flavorful interior. This cake is often served with fresh vegetables and a sweet and sour fish sauce, offering a satisfying experience.
20. Banh giay – among the most delicious Vietnamese cakes
Banh giay is another traditional cake in Vietnam, a symbol of gratitude towards heaven and earth. The traditional version of this Vietnamese cake is made from steamed sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and served with various types of pork sausages. There are also variations with sweet mung bean fillings or savory mung bean fillings, catering to modern tastes.
Vietnam is a country renowned for its rich culinary tradition. Besides the diverse array of Vietnamese cakes, don’t miss out on other delicacies like Vietnamese noodles, Vietnamese fried rice, pancake Vietnam, Vietnamese spring rolls, mi Quang, bun dau mam tom, Vietnamese bread, steamed rice rolls, Pho rolls, turmeric fish, Vietnamese broken rice, Vietnamese fish cake, and more.
