Entree: Vietnam – Hue – Bánh Khoái (Crispy Hue-style rice-flour pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 25 min

Cook 20 min

Additional 15 min

Total 55 min

Ingredients

- 1 cup (120 g) rice flour
- 1/4 cup (30 g) tapioca starch
- 1 1/8 cup (270 ml) water
- 1 tsp (2 g) turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) salt
- 2 large eggs, approx. 3.5 oz (100 g) total
- 12 medium shrimp, approx. 8 oz (225 g), peeled and deveined
- 6 oz (170 g) pork belly, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (150 g) bean sprouts, rinsed
- 2 stalks (about 20 g) green onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil for frying
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce
- 2 tbsp (25 g) sugar
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsp (30 g) roasted peanuts, coarsely crushed
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) water (for dipping sauce adjustment)

Instructions

1. Make the batter: Whisk rice flour, tapioca starch, water, turmeric, and salt until smooth; beat in 1 egg and let rest 15 minutes.
2. Prepare filling: Lightly season shrimp and pork with a pinch of salt. Heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil in a skillet and quickly sear pork just until cooked through; set aside. Briefly sauté shrimp until pink and set aside.
3. Make dipping sauce: Combine fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and 2 tbsp (30 ml) water; stir until sugar dissolves. Add sliced chili and crushed peanuts; set aside.
4. Cook pancakes: Heat a 10–12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil. Pour a thin layer of batter to coat the bottom (about 1/4 cup (60 ml)), tilt skillet to spread. Crack remaining egg over the batter and spread. Arrange a few shrimp, slices of pork, a handful of bean sprouts, and some green onion on one half.
5. Crisp and fold: Cook 2–3 minutes until edges are golden and crisp, adding another 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil if needed. Fold pancake in half and transfer to a plate. Repeat to make 3 more pancakes.
6. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce and extra lime wedges on the side.