Bánh xèo: Vietnam's sizzling crêpe
Listen before you look. “Xèo” is the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot pan.
Bánh xèo is a crisp rice-flour crêpe, coloured gold with turmeric and filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts. You tear it, wrap it in lettuce or mustard leaves with herbs, and dip it in fish sauce. It usually costs 30,000–80,000 VND. Order with “Cho tôi một cái bánh xèo”.
At a glance
How to order
“Cho tôi một cái bánh xèo.”
One bánh xèo. Ask for bánh xèo tôm thịt for shrimp and pork, or bánh xèo chay for a vegetarian version.
How to eat it
Tear off a piece of crêpe with your chopsticks or fingers. Lay it on a leaf of lettuce or mustard green, add herbs, roll it up and dip it in the sweet-sour fish sauce. Eat it quickly while the edges are still crisp. Some places also give you rice paper to roll with.
South vs Central
In the South, bánh xèo is big enough to share, thin and golden from turmeric and coconut milk. In Central Vietnam, look for smaller, thicker crêpes cooked in rows of little pans – in Nha Trang they are often filled with squid.
When to go
Bánh xèo is usually an afternoon and evening dish. Shops fire up their pans from mid-afternoon.
Questions travellers ask
What does “bánh xèo” mean?
Bánh means cake, and xèo is the sizzling sound the batter makes in the hot pan.
How do you eat bánh xèo?
Tear off a piece, wrap it in lettuce or mustard leaves with herbs, and dip it in fish sauce.
How much does bánh xèo cost?
Around 30,000–80,000 VND, depending on the size and fillings.
Is there a vegetarian bánh xèo?
Yes. Ask for “bánh xèo chay”, usually filled with mushrooms, tofu and bean sprouts.
Prices are typical ranges we’ve seen and change often; tourist areas can charge more. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Last updated 2026-09-30.
