National Dish Vietnam: Banh Tieu (Recipe)
In this article
Meet Banh Tieu, the puffy, hollow fried dough that vendors hawk on street corners all across Vietnam. Crisp on the outside, airy and almost empty within, and freckled with toasted sesame seeds, these golden cushions are equal parts snack and small celebration. Enjoy them plain and still warm, dusted with sugar, or split open and stuffed — whatever your mood. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can bring a slice of the Vietnamese pavement straight to your own kitchen.
About Banh Tieu
Banh Tieu is a much-loved Vietnamese street food, famous for its light, airy crumb and signature hollow centre. At its heart is a simple yeasted dough, shaped into rounds, rolled in sesame seeds and deep-fried until it balloons into a golden puff. The beauty of the recipe lies in its versatility: it can be eaten sweet or savoury, making it a treat for almost any occasion. While it remains a firm favourite on Vietnamese pavements, Banh Tieu has also won fans far beyond the country’s borders.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200g plain flour
- 10g yeast
- 50g sugar
- 150ml water
- 1 pinch of salt
- Sesame seeds
- Oil, for deep-frying
Shopping for the ingredients
You only need a few basic ingredients for Banh Tieu, and all of them are easy to find in any well-stocked supermarket. When shopping, look for fresh yeast and good-quality flour, as both make a real difference to the final result. Sesame seeds are usually shelved with the baking supplies or, failing that, in an Asian grocery. For deep-frying, a neutral vegetable oil works beautifully and keeps the flavour clean.
Preparing the dish
Before you start on your Banh Tieu, it pays to gather and measure out every ingredient first. Make sure the yeast is fresh, and use lukewarm water to wake it up properly. Clear yourself a clean work surface with plenty of room to roll out the dough, much as you would when shaping a Banh Bao Chay. Last but not least, remember to bring the frying oil up to the right temperature before the dough is ready.
Step-by-step instructions
- Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the lukewarm water and leave for 5–10 minutes, until the yeast has activated.
- Combine the flour, salt and yeast mixture in a bowl and knead into a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough and leave it to prove in a warm spot for 1–2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into small portions and shape each one into a ball.
- Flatten the balls and roll them in sesame seeds to coat.
- Heat the oil to around 180°C and fry the discs until golden.
- Drain the finished Banh Tieu on kitchen paper and serve warm.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of Banh Tieu, simply swap the plain flour for a good gluten-free blend, taking care that every other ingredient is gluten-free too. Happily, this dish is naturally lactose-free, as the recipe contains no dairy whatsoever. Even so, it is worth double-checking your ingredients for any hidden milk products, especially in pre-mixed flours or flavourings.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Banh Tieu is already a vegan dish, since it contains no animal products at all. All the same, do check that the ingredients you reach for carry no animal-derived additives. If you fancy a richer dough, try using plant-based milk in place of the water for a little extra body. Sesame seeds are a purely plant-based ingredient too, and they pair perfectly with this light, springy dough.
More tips and tricks
To make sure your Banh Tieu puff up evenly, roll the dough out to a consistent thickness and avoid making it too thin. Let the rolled discs rest briefly once more before they go into the oil. Test the oil’s temperature by dropping in a small piece of dough — it should bubble up straight away. Use plenty of oil so the discs can float freely, which is exactly what gives them that prized hollow centre.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The recipe for Banh Tieu can be tweaked to suit you. For a sweeter version, stir more sugar into the dough or dust the puffs with icing sugar once they are fried. If you prefer something more savoury, pull back on the sugar and add a touch more salt instead — a contrast that fans of Banh Bot Chien will appreciate. A pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of vanilla can also lend the dough an intriguing twist.
Ingredient substitutions
If you have no fresh yeast to hand, dried yeast works just as well; keep the quantity the same, but make sure to distribute it thoroughly through the dough. In place of plain flour, you could reach for spelt flour or a flour blend. And for anyone with a sesame allergy, poppy seeds or sunflower seeds make a fine alternative coating.
Drink pairing ideas
Banh Tieu pairs wonderfully with all manner of drinks. For a classic combination, serve it with Vietnamese iced coffee or jasmine tea. A refreshing iced tea or a glass of fruit juice works nicely too. Coffee lovers might even reach for a Ca Phe Trung, while anyone after something alcoholic could opt for a light white wine or a crisp, lively beer.
Serving and presentation ideas
Present your Banh Tieu on an attractive platter or a large plate, garnished with fresh herbs or edible flowers. You could also tuck the puffs into little paper bags to play up their street-food charm. A small dip — sweet soy sauce or chilli sauce, perhaps — makes a pretty and tasty addition. Dress the table with a few Asian touches to round out the atmosphere.
A bit of history
Banh Tieu has its roots deep in Vietnamese street-food culture and has been a favourite snack for generations. Its exact origins are unclear, though it is widely thought to have been introduced by Chinese immigrants. Over the years the recipe has evolved and bent itself to local tastes, in much the same way as other classics of Vietnamese cuisine. Today, Banh Tieu is cherished as a delicious bite throughout Vietnam and well beyond.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Banh Tieu
Banh Tieu is a wonderfully versatile and delicious Vietnamese street-food snack that is easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a handful of useful tips, you can turn out these airy fried dough puffs in your own kitchen. Sweet or savoury, Banh Tieu bends to whatever you fancy, and it is a genuine treat for everyone. Give this traditional recipe a go and bring a little piece of Vietnam to your table.
