National Dish Vietnam: Banh Cam (Recipe)
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Meet Banh Cam, one of Vietnam’s most charming sweet treats: a round, sesame-studded rice cake that turns wonderfully crisp and golden in the fryer while hiding a soft, sweet mung bean filling within. Sold from bustling market stalls and served at festivals across the country, these little parcels are at once humble and irresistible. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can recreate this beloved snack at home and enjoy a true taste of Vietnamese street food.
About Banh Cam
Banh Cam is a traditional Vietnamese delicacy, beloved for the satisfying contrast between its crunchy shell and its tender centre. This round, crispy rice cake is fried to a deep golden colour on the outside and filled with a soft, sweet paste within. The pairing of rice flour and a sweet mung bean filling is utterly moreish, and the whole thing is rolled in sesame seeds for an extra layer of texture. It is especially popular at festivals and markets throughout Vietnam, where it makes a cheerful, portable treat.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200g rice flour
- 100ml coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 200g mung beans (skinned and split)
- 100g sugar
- Sesame seeds, for coating
- Oil, for deep-frying
Shopping for the ingredients
Most of the ingredients for banh cam are easy to find at an Asian grocery. Take care to buy fresh mung beans, as their quality has a real impact on the final flavour of the filling. Rice flour and coconut milk are also stocked by many well-stocked supermarkets these days. Do not forget to choose a good-quality frying oil, since it makes all the difference to that crisp, golden shell.
Preparing the dish
A little groundwork helps the whole process run smoothly. The mung beans should be soaked in water first to soften them, which takes around 3 to 4 hours. Once softened, they can be cooked and mashed into a smooth paste. In the meantime, prepare the dough by combining the rice flour with coconut milk and salt. Let the dough rest for at least an hour before you move on to shaping and frying.
Step-by-step instructions
- Soak the mung beans, then cook them until soft.
- Mix the mung beans with sugar and mash to a smooth paste.
- Combine the rice flour, coconut milk and salt into a dough and leave it to rest.
- Roll the mung bean paste into small balls.
- Divide the dough into equal portions and flatten each one out.
- Wrap a mung bean ball in each piece of dough and seal it closed.
- Roll the balls in sesame seeds until evenly coated.
- Heat the oil and deep-fry the balls until golden brown.
- Drain on kitchen paper and serve.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Banh cam is naturally gluten-free, as it is made from rice flour rather than wheat. Even so, double-check that every ingredient you use is genuinely free from gluten. For a lactose-free result the recipe needs no real changes, but if you prefer to swap out the coconut milk you can use another plant-based milk such as almond or soya milk instead, much as you might in a soft Banh Bo.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Banh cam is ideal for vegans and vegetarians, since it contains no animal products at all. Just make sure the sugar you choose is vegan, as some types are processed using bone char. When it comes to frying, reach for a plant-based oil such as sunflower or rapeseed oil. With these small checks, the dish stays entirely plant-based without losing any of its appeal.
More tips and tricks
To make sure the banh cam fry evenly, keep the oil at a steady, consistent temperature. A kitchen thermometer is the easiest way to monitor it accurately. If the balls go into the oil too soon, before it is hot enough, they may fall apart, so be patient. After frying, let them drain on kitchen paper to shed any excess oil and keep that shell beautifully crisp.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
You can tailor banh cam to your own liking by experimenting with different fillings. In place of mung beans, try red bean paste or a sweet potato paste for a different flavour. For a sweeter cake, work a little extra sugar into the dough itself. Playing with various spices and aromas lets you create your own perfect version of this classic — the same spirit of invention that gives a treat like Banh Dau Xanh its character.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have plain rice flour to hand, glutinous rice flour offers a similar texture and works well. Instead of coconut milk you can use other plant-based milks such as soya or oat milk. For an extra-crunchy coating, roll the balls in panko breadcrumbs before frying. Substitutions like these make it easy to adapt the recipe to whatever you have in the cupboard.
Drink pairing ideas
Banh cam goes wonderfully with a Vietnamese iced coffee or a cool jasmine tea. A refreshing coconut drink also harmonises beautifully with the sweetness of the rice cake. For a special touch, try a cup of ginger tea, which complements the sweet flavours of the filling perfectly. For something more indulgent, the famous egg coffee Ca Phe Trung makes a memorable match.
Serving and presentation ideas
Serve banh cam on a handsome bamboo tray for an authentic touch. Decorate the tray with fresh mint leaves or pieces of fruit to add colour and freshness to the spread. A small bowl of honey or a sweet-and-sour sauce can be set alongside, giving your guests a couple of different dipping options to choose from.
A bit of history
Banh cam has a long tradition in Vietnamese cuisine and is often served at festivities and family gatherings. The dish originally comes from southern Vietnam but quickly spread across the whole country. Its round shape and golden colour symbolise prosperity and good fortune, which is why banh cam is frequently offered at New Year celebrations, sitting happily alongside festive snacks like Banh Pia.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Banh Cam
Banh cam is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake with a sweet mung bean filling, crisp on the outside and soft within. With easily sourced ingredients such as rice flour, coconut milk and mung beans, this dish is simple to make at home. It is naturally gluten-free and adapts effortlessly to vegan and vegetarian needs. More than just a delicious snack, banh cam is a little piece of Vietnamese culture and tradition — well worth bringing to your own kitchen.
