Go Back
–+ servings
Banh Beo

Bánh Bèo Recipe (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Cakes)

There are many versions of bánh bèo; some are easy to whip up but not very tasty, while others are the opposite. Allow me to give you a recipe that balances ease and deliciousness.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Non-course Dish
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: banh beo, Vietnamese Steamed Rice Cakes
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Dietary Preference: Dairy-Free, Gluten-free
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 528kcal

Equipment

  • Small Dishes
  • Steamer
  • Non-stick skillet
  • Ladle
  • Spatula
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

For the rice cakes

  • 8.8 ounces rice flour
  • 1 ounce tapioca starch
  • 350 ml room-temperature water
  • 350 ml hot water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the topping:

  • 7 ounces minced shrimp
  • 12.3 ounces minced pork
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1.5 teaspoon annatto powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Vietnamese fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
  • 20 ml room-temperature water

Garnish

  • Sweet-and-sour garlic and chili pepper sauce
  • Scallions and oil garnish
  • Fried shallots
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • In the mixing bowl, stir rice flour, tapioca starch, room-temperature water, and lemon juice thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
    Banh Beo Step 1 Prepare the Rice Batter
  • In the skillet, sauté minced shallots and minced garlic in oil until fragrant.
    Banh Beo Step 2 Prepare the Toppings
  • Add minced pork and cook for 2 minutes. Stir constantly. Add minced shrimp and continue stirring.
    Banh Beo Step 2 Prepare the Toppings1
  • Add annatto powder, sugar, black pepper, fish sauce, and some water to the skillet.
    Banh Beo Step 2 Prepare the Toppings2
  • Dissolve tapioca starch in a small amount of room-temperature water and add the mixture slowly to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes.
    Banh Beo Step 2 Prepare the Toppings4
  • Stir the batter thoroughly while slowly adding hot water to the bowl. Add vegetable oil to the batter.
    Banh Beo Step 3 Complete the Batter
  • Put the filled steamer on the stovetop. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Preheat the small dishes in the basket for 3 minutes.
    Banh Beo Step 4 Cook the Rice Cakes
  • Fill each dish with a suitable amount of batter. Put on the lid and steam for 7 minutes. Take the dishes out of the steamer. Repeat the process until the batter runs out.
    Banh Beo Step 4 Cook the Rice Cakes2
  • Top each rice cake with some fried shallots, scallions and oil garnish, and bits of the pork and shrimp mixture. Serve with the garlic chili sauce on the side.
    Banh Beo Step 5 Assem the Steamed Rice Cakes

Video

Notes

  • The instructions are for preparing 4 servings.
  • Don’t pour too much batter into the dishes, or the cakes will be excessively thick.
  • Always add minced pork before minced shrimp.
  • Stir the batter carefully right before pouring it into the heated dishes.
  • Steam over high heat and fill the steamer and add enough water to the steamer (at least one-third of its volume).
  • To determine if the rice cakes are done, you can poke them with a toothpick or a small knife. The cakes are ready if the toothpick/ knife comes out clean.
  • To fix a runny batter, you can add more rice flour to the batter or cover the batter with a clean, dry towel and leave it for 30 - 45 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg