If you’re craving Central Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi and don’t know where to go, we’ve got just the spot for you. Today, we’re introducing a restaurant that brings the authentic flavors of Binh Dinh Province to Nguyen Phong Sac Street in Cau Giay District – Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi, or the ‘Shrimp Pancake with Smoking Pan’.
1 Introducing Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi
Introducing Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi
Restaurant Quality: 4.5/5 ( Rated by Google)
Address: 26 Nguyen Phong Sac, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price Range: VND 25,000 – 95,000
Phone Number: 0349517497
Facebook: Banh Xeo Tom Nhay – Bep Xi Khoi
Delivery: Available (Shopee Food)
Menu Highlights: Banh Xeo Tom (Shrimp Pancake), Banh Xeo Trung (Egg Pancake), Banh Xeo Muc (Squid Pancake), and more…
Signature Dish: Banh Xeo Tom (VND 35,000 – 65,000)
Pros: Delicious food, authentic flavors, spacious and airy ambiance, attentive and friendly owners
Con: Long wait times during peak hours
Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi is located at 26 Nguyen Phong Sac, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi. This restaurant is well-known for its specialty in Binh Dinh delicacies, especially the shrimp pancake.
The restaurant boasts a spacious and airy ambiance, with a simple and rustic decor. The tables and chairs are neatly arranged and the place is kept clean and tidy. They offer indoor seating in a cozy setting.
Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi is located at 26 Nguyen Phong Sac, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Their menu mainly features a variety of pancakes, including shrimp, egg, squid, and beef pancakes. These dishes are prepared according to the traditional flavors of Binh Dinh Province.
The pancakes are thick and crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside. The fillings include fresh shrimp, fatty meat, bean sprouts, and scallions, seasoned to perfection.
In addition to pancakes, they also offer other delicious options such as mixed “tré” (a type of meat), “banh hoi” (rice noodles), and “cha ram tom dat” (shrimp fritters). These dishes are equally tasty and appealing.
They also offer other dishes like mixed “tré”, “banh hoi”, and “cha ram tom dat”
2 What Makes Banh Xeo Tom Nhay Bep Xi Khoi So Enticing?
The Owners are Originally from Binh Dinh
Vu Thi Tra My, a 30-year-old native of Binh Dinh Province, is the owner of this restaurant. Her husband is also from Binh Dinh, which gave her the opportunity to indulge in the delicious shrimp pancakes of the region frequently. Her husband’s uncle has been running a successful shrimp pancake restaurant in Binh Dinh for over 15 years, and it was from him that she learned the secret recipe. Together, they opened their own shrimp pancake restaurant in Hanoi in October.
Initially, the restaurant had few customers. However, in the past two to three days, several social media posts featuring their delicious pancakes have gone viral, attracting a large number of customers.
The restaurant is open from 10 AM to 10 PM daily, but due to the recent surge in popularity, they often close earlier than expected due to selling out.
The owners, a couple from Binh Dinh Province
Ingredients Sourced Directly from Binh Dinh
At Ms. My’s restaurant in Hanoi, most of the ingredients are sourced directly from Binh Dinh Province, including shrimp, squid, rice paper, rice noodles, and shrimp fritters. According to Ms. My, seafood in Binh Dinh is much cheaper than in the North, even after including transportation costs. Additionally, she has yet to find a local source for the specific type of shrimp needed for the dish.
Ingredients are sourced from Binh Dinh Province
Authentic Binh Dinh-Style Shrimp Pancakes
The shrimp pancake is a specialty of Binh Dinh Province, made with two main ingredients: rice flour and live shrimp. To achieve a crispy and fragrant texture, the rice flour is mixed with mung bean flour in a specific ratio.
The key to the dish’s flavor is the use of fresh, live shrimp, which are added to the pan and fried until just cooked. Then, a spoonful of rice flour is added, and after about three minutes, scallions, bean sprouts, and scallions are sprinkled on top. The pan is covered and cooked for an additional one to two minutes to ensure even cooking of all ingredients.
For the squid and beef pancakes, the batter is poured into the pan first, and the fillings are added towards the end of the cooking process. They use small squid, about 7-8 cm in length, transported from Binh Dinh and steamed before being added to the pancake. The beef, however, is sourced locally from Hanoi.
Authentic Binh Dinh-style shrimp pancakes
The cooking process requires skill and precision to achieve the perfect thin, crispy, yet not too hard or brittle texture. Timing and temperature control are crucial to retain the sweetness and aroma of the ingredients while ensuring they are thoroughly cooked without drying out or burning.
Banh Xeo Bep Xi Khoi is the perfect spot to indulge in the unique and delicious pancakes of Binh Dinh Province. If you’re ever in Hanoi, be sure to pay them a visit and treat yourself to these mouthwatering specialties.
