Hến xúc bánh tráng, or Vietnamese baby clam with rice cracker, is a popular dish from the charming city of Hue, Vietnam. This local favorite is not only quick and easy to prepare but also unique in its serving style.
Hến xúc bánh tráng has the natural sweetness of succulent clams, perfectly paired with the irresistible crunch of rice crackers. In this article, let me tell you how to create this special Vietnamese dish to satisfy your snack craving.
An Introduction to Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng
Hến xúc bánh tráng is a common street food in Central Vietnam, especially in Hue. The dish consists of stir-frying baby clam meat with a bold taste of fermented shrimp sauce. When served with rice, this main dish is called cơm hến (Vietnamese baby clam rice).
However, locals can also serve the stir-fried clam mixture with rice crackers to serve as a snack. The clams are usually praised for their flavorful profile that complements the naturally sweet taste of clam meat.
Don’t forget about the rice crackers, as they are a variant of rice paper but are thicker. People often grill these crackers before breaking them off into small pieces. Then, you want to use the broken rice cracker pieces to scoop up the clam meat.
Depending on everyone’s taste buds, some may add extra herbs like Vietnamese coriander, which has an extra kick.
What Tools Do You Need for Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng?
Making Vietnamese baby clams with rice crackers only calls for a skillet and a ladle. These utensils are commonly found in any kitchen, so you don’t have to struggle to find them.
What Ingredients Are Needed for Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng?
The ingredients for making Vietnamese baby clams with rice crackers include the following:
Follow 2 Steps for Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng
Making Vietnamese baby clams with rice crackers requires only 2 steps: stir-frying the clam and assembling the dish. So turn on the heat, and let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Stir-fry the Clam Meat
Pour a bit of oil into the skillet and stir-fry the minced onion stalk until they become aromatic. I like using Annatto oil for its vibrant color, but normal cooking oil can also work.
Transfer 1.1 pounds of baby clam into the skillet and quickly stir-fry the mixture to avoid the meat from being chewy or getting a chewy texture. Season the clam meat with:
Keep stirring until all the seasonings dissolve. You can throw in some basil for another layer of flavor, but note that using basil leaves is optional.
Step 2: Assemble the Dish
Scoop the clam meat over a serving plate and garnish the dish with crushed peanuts before enjoying the recipe with crunchy rice crackers.
Useful Tips for Vietnamese Baby Clams with Rice Crackers
Making Vietnamese baby clams with rice crackers is simple when you know these needed tips:
What to Serve Alongside Vietnamese Baby Clams with Rice Crackers?
When serving Vietnamese baby clams with rice crackers, you can complement it with several side dishes and accompaniments to enhance the flavors and textures. Here are some great options:
How To Store Leftover Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng?
Commonly, the baby clam meat doesn’t last long, so it’s best to consume the dish as soon as possible. I don’t recommend storing any leftovers as the delicacy can cause unwanted food poisoning.
Plus, storing the dish can greatly deteriorate the original flavor. However, you can store cooked clam meat alone in a refrigerator for a couple of days before making the dish.
Can Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng Be Your Next Favorite Snack?
Although Vietnamese baby clams may fall flat with no flavor, they become an outstanding snack when infused with flavorful seasoning and crunchy rice crackers. The recipe is easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of cooking effort.
Don’t forget to share this article with people who love Vietnamese dishes around you. Plus, you can do me a favor and drop your thoughts about this tasty snack. I can’t wait to hear more ideas from everyone.
Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng Recipe (Vietnamese Baby Clams with Rice Crackers)
Equipment
- Pan
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 1.1 pounds of baby clam meat
- 3 rice crackers
- 2 teaspoons of fermented shrimp sauce
- 1 tablespoon of minced onion stalk
- 1.5 teaspoons of ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Basils optional
- Crushed peanuts optional
Instructions
- Stir-fry the minced onion stalk with Annatto or any cooking oil to create the aromatic base.
- Then, add the clam meat and quickly stir the mixture with 1.5 teaspoons of pepper, a teaspoon of chili powder, a teaspoon of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of fermented shrimp sauce.
- Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly. You might add basil to include another layer of taste, depending on your liking.
- Assemble the clam over a plate topped with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts. Enjoy with grilled rice crackers.
Video
Notes
- The recipe is based on 4 servings.
- Before serving the clam, you can microwave the rice cracker for around a minute to get a crunchy texture.
- Enjoy the rice crackers with clam meat while they’re still hot.
- Aside from basils, you can use Vietnamese coriander or laksa leaves for a more exotic flavor.
- You can enjoy the clam meat with sliced cucumbers, lettuce, chili sauce, or soy sauce.
- Aside from rice crackers, you can have clams with white rice or bread.
Nutrition
Tien – Alden
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Recipe Development, Food Editor, Beverage Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Asian Food Content Creator
Education
Saigon Tourism College
Advanced Culinary Workshop, Beijing
Vietnamese Traditional Cooking School
American College of Vietnam
Alden is a skilled chef with expertise in Asian cuisines, known for blending traditional Vietnamese and Chinese cooking with contemporary innovations. Alden’s passion for Asian flavors and her creative approach to both food and beverages inspires fellow chefs and those aspiring to enter the field.