Banh Beo Tom: A Delicate Vietnamese Shrimp Rice Cake Worth Discovering

If you are exploring Vietnamese cuisine beyond pho and banh mi, banh beo tom is one of the most delicate dishes to try. Small, soft, and savory, these steamed rice cakes are usually served in tiny bowls with a shrimp-based topping, scallion oil, and fish sauce. The dish is especially associated with Central Vietnam, where rice flour, seafood, and balanced dipping sauces play an important role in everyday cooking.

Unlike heavier noodle soups or rice plates, banh beo tom is light but flavorful. Each portion is small, which makes it ideal as an appetizer, a shared dish, or a way to discover the texture-driven side of Vietnamese cooking. The base is soft and slightly chewy, while the topping brings savory depth from shrimp, pork, aromatics, and fish sauce.

Vietnamese Shrimp Rice Cakes (Bánh Bèo Tôm)

Bánh bèo tôm is a traditional specialty from Central Vietnam. These steamed rice cakes are made from rice flour and served with a savory shrimp and pork topping, scallion oil, and a sweet fish sauce or coconut-based dipping sauce.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the rice cakes

• 200 g rice flour

• 500 ml water

• 1 tsp salt

• A little cooking oil

For the topping

• 100 g shrimp

• 100 g lean pork

• Shallots, garlic, and scallions

• Annatto oil

• Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, and MSG (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients

• Finely chop the pork and shrimp.

• Mince the shallots and garlic, and finely slice the scallions.

2. Cook the topping

• Sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant.

• Add the shrimp and pork, and stir-fry until lightly cooked.

• Season to taste, add water, and bring to a boil.

• Mix a small amount of rice flour with water and stir it into the mixture to thicken.

• Add the scallions and remove from the heat.

3. Prepare the batter

• Mix the rice flour with water until smooth.

• Let the batter rest for 30–60 minutes.

• Stir in the salt and a small amount of cooking oil.

4. Steam the cakes

• Preheat the small serving bowls or ramekins.

• Pour the batter to fill about one-third of each bowl.

• Steam for 8–10 minutes, or until the cakes are fully cooked.

5. Prepare the dipping sauce

• Mix fish sauce, sugar, water, and chopped chili to taste.

6. Serve

• Spoon the shrimp and pork topping over each rice cake.

• Add scallion oil or chopped scallions.

• Serve hot with the dipping sauce.

What Does Banh Beo Tom Taste Like?

Banh beo tom has a gentle, comforting flavor. The rice cake itself is mild, smooth, and slightly elastic. The shrimp and pork topping adds umami, saltiness, and a touch of sweetness. Scallion oil gives it aroma, while fish sauce brings everything together with a sweet, salty, and lightly spicy finish.

The charm of banh beo tom is in the contrast. It is soft but not bland, light but not boring, and simple but layered. For many diners, it is a good entry point into Vietnamese steamed dishes because it feels refined without being too unfamiliar.

If You Like Banh Beo Tom, You May Like These Dishes at Hanoi 1988

If you enjoy banh beo tom, you may also enjoy other Vietnamese dishes that share similar flavors, textures, or ingredients. At Hanoi 1988, the menu includes several options that work well for diners who like rice-based, shrimp-based, or light Vietnamese dishes.

You may like Gỏi Cuốn, fresh Vietnamese spring rolls available with beef, shrimp, or a vegetarian option. They are light, fresh, and served with herbs and salad, making them a good choice if you enjoy delicate appetizers.

You may also like Tôm Bún, a rice vermicelli bowl with sautéed shrimp and special nems. It has shrimp, herbs, vegetables, peanuts, and a sweet-sour house sauce, so it gives you a fuller meal while keeping the fresh Vietnamese flavor profile.

For something warm and comforting, Phở Chay is a good option. It includes sautéed mushrooms and fried tofu in a vegetable broth cooked slowly for eight hours. If you prefer seafood, Cơm Cà Ri Tôm, a shrimp curry rice dish, may also be a good match.

Hanoi 1988 also offers Vietnamese desserts such as Bánh Nếp Chuối, a steamed sticky rice banana cake served with coconut milk and peanuts, and Bánh Trôi, glutinous rice balls with red bean served in warm homemade ginger syrup. These are good options if you enjoy the soft rice-based texture of banh beo tom in a sweeter form.

FAQ About Banh Beo Tom

What is banh beo tom?

Banh beo tom is a Vietnamese steamed rice cake topped with shrimp, often combined with pork, scallion oil, and fish sauce. It is usually served in small bowls or plates.

Where is banh beo tom from?

Banh beo is strongly associated with Central Vietnam, especially regions such as Hue and other central provinces. Different areas may prepare it with slightly different toppings and sauces.

What are the main types of banh beo?

Common versions include banh beo with dried shrimp, banh beo with fresh shrimp and pork, banh beo chen served in small bowls, and versions with coconut-based sauce. Some restaurants may also serve modern or vegetarian interpretations.

How do you eat banh beo tom?

Banh beo tom is usually eaten with a spoon. You add fish sauce or dipping sauce, scoop the rice cake together with the topping, and eat it in one bite or a few small bites.

Is banh beo tom spicy?

It is not always spicy by default. The spice usually comes from chopped chili in the fish sauce. You can adjust the amount depending on your preference.

What does banh beo tom pair well with?

It pairs well with fresh herbs, Vietnamese spring rolls, light noodle bowls, and iced Vietnamese drinks. Since it is small and savory, it works well as a starter before a larger main dish.

How many calories are in banh beo tom?

The exact number depends on the portion size and topping. A small serving may be relatively light, but calories increase with shrimp, pork, oil, and sauce. As a rough estimate, one small bowl can range from about 40 to 80 calories, while a full serving may be around 250 to 500 calories.

Is banh beo tom gluten-free?

Traditional banh beo is made mainly from rice flour, but recipes and restaurant versions can vary. If you have gluten sensitivity, always ask the restaurant about the flour, seasoning, and sauce used.

Try Vietnamese Cuisine at Hanoi 1988

While banh beo tom is often linked to Central Vietnam, Vietnamese cuisine as a whole is best understood through regional traditions, family recipes, and balanced flavors. Northern Vietnamese cuisine more broadly, with its clean broths, fresh herbs, rice-based dishes, and refined seasoning, is beautifully represented in Paris at Hanoi 1988.

Ready to explore Vietnamese food the way it is meant to be enjoyed? Visit Hanoi 1988 across its Paris locations to discover comforting bowls of pho, fresh spring rolls, vermicelli dishes, rice plates, desserts, and drinks. To reserve a table or explore the full menu, visit viet-eat.com.

To reserve a table at Hanoi 1988 or explore the full menu, visit viet-eat.com.