Banh nam is a traditional Vietnamese dish made with rice flour and tapioca flour and filled with pork or shrimp. It is a popular street food in Vietnam and is served as a snack or as part of a larger meal.
Banh nam is relatively simple to make and is a delicious and unique way to enjoy the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.
In this post, we will explore what banh nam is, why you should try it, the ingredients and steps to make it, and other tips and tricks for making this delicious dish.
What is Banh Nam?
Banh nam is a savory, steamed Vietnamese dish made with rice flour and tapioca flour. The dough is filled with either pork or shrimp and then deep-fried until golden brown.
The resulting dish is a soft, chewy outer layer filled with flavorful and juicy meat.
Why You’ll Love this Banh Nam?
Banh nam is an incredibly flavorful and unique dish that is sure to please. The combination of the steamed exterior and the soft, chewy interior make this dish a delight.
Plus, the flavorful filling of pork or shrimp adds an extra layer of depth to the dish. Banh nam is relatively simple to make, so it’s a great dish to add to your repertoire.
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How Does it Taste Like?
Banh nam has a unique flavor and texture. The exterior is soft and slightly chewy, while the filling is juicy and flavorful. The combination of rice flour and tapioca flour gives the dish a delicate taste that pairs well with the savory pork or shrimp filling.
Ingredients
For Batter
Rice flour: This is the main ingredient in the batter and gives the dish its characteristic texture.
Tapioca flour: Tapioca flour is used to make the dough more elastic and adds a slight chewiness to the final product.
Neutral cooking oil: This is used in the batter to prevent it from sticking or clumping together.
Salt: A small amount of salt is added to enhance the flavors of the dish.
Water: Water is used to create the batter and help steam the banh nam during cooking.
For Filling
Pork or shrimp: The protein component of this dish can be made with either pork or shrimp, depending on your preference.
Wood ear mushroom: This adds a nice crunch to the filling and complements the meat well.
Annatto seed oil: This oil gives the filling a beautiful red color and adds depth to the flavors.
Oyster sauce, black pepper, salt, sugar: These ingredients are used to season the filling and give it a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
Shallots, garlic cloves, green onions: These aromatics add an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
Banana leaf: The banh nam is cooked and served on banana leaves, adding a subtle earthy flavor to the dish.
Step by Step Directions
Step 1: Make the Dough
To make the dough, mix together rice flour, tapioca flour, oil, salt, and water in a bowl. The batter should be thin enough to spread easily but not too runny.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
Mix together pork or shrimp with all of the other filling ingredients in a separate bowl.
Step 3: Assemble Banh Nam
Place a piece of banana leaf on a plate and add 3-4 tablespoons of batter onto the center. Spread the batter into a thin, even layer using a spoon or your fingers. Add two tablespoons of filling onto one half of the batter. Fold the other half over to create a semi-circle shape and use your fingers to crimp and seal the edges.
Step 4: Steam the Banh Nam
Place the banh nam in a steamer and cook for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked and set.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Remove from the steamer and let cool before serving. You can serve banh nam on its own or with a side of dipping sauce.
Tips
• Use warm water when making the dough for best results.
• Use a kitchen scale to measure out the dough and filling so that the packages are all the same size.
• Be sure to fry the packages in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the packages from the oil so that the excess oil can drip off.
• Serve the banh nam warm for best flavor.
Nutrition Information
One serving of banh nam (1 piece) contains approximately
How to Store Banh Nam?
Banh nam can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven before serving.
What Other Substitute Can I Use in Banh Nam?
If you don’t have pork or shrimp, you can use other types of ground meat such as chicken or turkey. For the fish sauce, you can substitute with soy sauce. You can also use vegetable oil instead of sesame oil and omit the white pepper if desired.
Equipment
- Steamer
Ingredients
For Batter
- 1.11 cups rice flour
- 0.14 cup tapioca flour
- 1.11 Tablespoon neutral cooking oil
- 1.11 ts salt
- 3.33 cups water
For Filling
- 0.56 lb finely ground pork
- 0.56 lb finely chopped shrimp peeled and deveined
- 0.28 cup soaked and finely chopped wood ear mushroom
- 1.11 tablespoon annatto seed oil or cooking oil
- 0.56 ts oyster sauce
- 0.28 ts black pepper
- 0.28 ts salt
- 0.28 tablespoon sugar
- 1.11 medium chopped shallots
- 1.67 cloves chopped garlic cloves
- 1.11 chopped green onion stalks
Assembly
- 0.56 package banana leaf cut into roughly rectangles 6 x 10 inches
Instructions
- Prepare the filling by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together rice flour, tapioca flour, oil, salt, and water to make the batter.
- Place a piece of banana leaf on a plate and add 3-4 tablespoons of batter onto the center.
- Spread the batter into a thin, even layer using a spoon or your fingers.
- Add two tablespoons of filling onto one half of the batter.
- Fold the other half of the banh nam over to create a semi-circle shape.
- Use your fingers to crimp and seal the edges of the banh nam.
- Place the banh nam in a steamer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between banh nam and banh bot loc?
Banh nam is made with rice flour and tapioca flour, while banh bot loc is made with tapioca flour and mung bean flour. Banh nam is filled with pork or shrimp, while banh bot loc is filled with pork, shrimp, and mushrooms.
Can I freeze banh nam?
Yes, you can freeze banh nam for up to 3 months.
Is banh nam vegan?
No, banh nam is not vegan as it is usually filled with pork or shrimp.
Can I use other types of filling?
Yes, you can use other types of filling such as vegetables or tofu.
Conclusion
Banh nam is a traditional Vietnamese dish made with rice flour and tapioca flour and filled with pork or shrimp. It is a popular street food in Vietnam and is served as a snack or as part of a larger meal.
Banh nam is relatively simple to make and is a delicious and unique way to enjoy the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can easily make this delicious dish in your own home.