Vietnamese Banh Khot (Banh Khot)

Vietnamese Banh Khot, a signature dish of Vung Tau city

If anyone has the chance to visitBa Ria–Vung Tau provincea southeastern coastal province of Vietnam with beautiful beaches and a chill atmosphere like this, one of the things I, mr.hotsia, highly recommend is to try “Vietnamese Banh Khot,” or as the locals call itBanh Khotwhich is a famous local dish of Vung Tau city. If you don’t try it, it’s like you haven’t really been here.

I traveled from Ba Ria city heading to Vung Tau, about 20 kilometers away, not far at all. I stayed atNha Nghi Cat Phuonga small hotel on 7A Nguyen Truong To street, located in the city center and close to a famous Banh Khot restaurant that I will tell you about. This restaurant is right across from the hotel, just a short walk across the street. Very convenient.

What is Banh Khot? The taste and preparation that mr.hotsia must share

Banh Khot, pronounced approximately as “Banh Khot,” is a fried rice flour cake with large shrimp in each cup, similar to our Thai Khanom Krok, but the taste and preparation are very different. It’s somewhat like our oyster omelet because the batter is made from pure rice flour, which is a secret recipe of each restaurant. Some places add seasonings to enhance the aroma. The shrimp used are fresh medium-sized freshwater shrimp, peeled and placed into the hot batter, fried until crispy outside and tender inside.

After frying, it’s sprinkled with bright red shrimp powder that gives a fragrant aroma and a unique mellow flavor. When served, it comes with a variety of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, long beans, and thinly sliced green papaya, eaten together with a shrimp paste sauce mixed with fish sauce, shrimp, and fresh tomatoes, offering a sweet, sour, and savory balanced flavor. I believe this sauce is the key that makes Vung Tau’s Banh Khot incredibly delicious and worth sharing.

My Banh Khot eating experience in Vung Tau with mr.hotsia

I sat waiting in a small shop that wasn’t fancy but filled with the warm atmosphere of locals and tourists from both Vietnam and abroad queuing nonstop to eat Banh Khot. When they fried the batter, I stood close by, seeing the shrimp size and the meticulous frying method. The batter was crispy outside and soft inside, with the aroma of shrimp powder filling the air, making my mouth water immediately.

One set of Banh Khot costs only about 60 Thai Baht, unbelievably cheap and delicious. I ate a few bites and wanted to order many more sets, but my money was running low, so I only had one set. But I tell you, if you come to Vung Tau, you must order more than one set because it’s truly amazing.

The crispiness of the batter combined with the freshness of the shrimp and fresh vegetables served together makes Banh Khot a delicious and highly nutritious snack. You will experience the authentic Vietnamese culture’s unique flavors.

Why visit Vung Tau and eat Banh Khot here?

Vung Tau is a coastal city with beautiful beaches and a variety of attractions to explore. I recommend taking a walk along the beachVung Tau Beachwhich offers both tranquility and a refreshing atmosphere, as well as stopping by to try the seafood buffet atPetro House HotelIf you love fresh seafood in abundance, finishing your meal with Banh Khot, the local specialty, will surely make this trip worth every penny.

For those who want convenient travel, I once took the bus from Ba Ria to get off atVung Tau Bus StationBus and speedboat travel in this area is very good and suitable for adventurous travelers like me, mr.hotsia, who enjoy experiencing the real local lifestyle.

Vung Tau trip summary with mr.hotsia

Banh Khot, Vietnamese fried rice cakes in Vung Tau, are not just ordinary snacks but one of the experiences I, mr.hotsia, must share with everyone. Eating Banh Khot amidst the warm coastal city atmosphere, along with fresh vegetables and a special sauce, completes the Vung Tau trip to another level.

If anyone is interested in following my footsteps, mr.hotsia recommends staying atNha Nghi Cat Phuongthe hotel where I stayed, located next to the famous Banh Khot restaurant, so you can enjoy delicious meals every morning or whenever you crave.

For those planning to visit Ba Ria–Vung Tau province, don’t forget to try Vietnamese Banh Khot in Vung Tau. You’ll realize that good food doesn’t have to be expensive and is delicious enough to share.

Read more aboutBa Ria–Vung Tau Provinceand get ready for a full trip with mr.hotsia!