Banh xeo is also known by other names as banh su se, banh xeo or banh phu and wife. This is a traditional Vietnamese cake often used as an offering in engagement caskets, and in some places it is also a dessert at wedding parties.

According to information Vietnamtravelio learned, banh xeo originated from Dinh Bang ward, Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province during the Ly dynasty. Legend has it that when King Ly Anh Tong sent his troops to battle against foreign invaders, the Queen made this cake to send to the front lines for her husband.

The cake is filled with love between husband and wife, so the King named it husband and wife cake. Later, local people learned and passed on how to make this cake. In some places, traditional craft villages have been formed. It can be said that banh xeo not only contains the love between husband and wife but also retains the beauty of Vietnamese culture.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 2

Banh Xuxe, also known as banh phu thi, is a traditional Vietnamese cake originating from Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province.

Not only stopping at the story behind, the dish itself also has a special meaning through its shape, ingredients and color.

The combination of the white color of coconut rice and filtered flour; yellow color of green bean filling and edges; The green color of the coconut leaves and finally the red color of the lace create a very harmonious overall look for the cake.

Based on the Yin Yang and Five Elements philosophy of the Oriental people, the image of the cake shows the harmony between many different elements when placed next to each other like consensus and unanimity in love.

The flexible, sticky texture also suggests a lasting bond for the couple. The box made of square coconut leaves and the round cake symbolize the fulfillment and one hundred years of happiness of the couple.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 3

Cakes with special cultural significance are often used as offerings to hold caskets on engagement days or as desserts at weddings.

Although it originated from Bac Ninh province, in Hue, the cake was transformed with a very unique flavor and quickly became a specialty that captivated tourists. Instead of being round and wrapped in yellow and red paper as usual, Hue specialty cakes are neatly placed in a box made of coconut leaves.

In general, banh xeo is made from quite common ingredients including tapioca flour, coconut rice and green beans. This type of cake in Hue is not mass produced industrially but is mainly made by hand, without preservatives. Therefore, the process of preparing basic ingredients is also more elaborate as follows.

– Filter powder: Grind sticky rice and soak in water overnight, filter through cloth to get starch. Then mix starch with sugar water until thick.

– Green bean: Soak green beans overnight, peel off the skin, then steam until cooked. When finished, put it in a mortar and pound until smooth, add a little sugar and cook on the stove until it thickens. Hue people often add a little grapefruit perfume to this green bean mixture to increase the flavor.

– Coconut rice: Choose to buy fresh coconut and grate the rice manually, use immediately to avoid drying out.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 4

Similar to other places, Hue specialty banh xeo has main ingredients of tapioca starch, green beans and coconut rice, but is made by hand.

After preparing the ingredients, the baker will pour a layer of dough into the mold and gently shake it evenly. Next, cover with a layer of coconut, green beans and finally another layer of flour before steaming. To ensure a beautiful green color, cover the mold with coconut leaves when the cake is cooked. This method also helps the dough become clear, revealing the attractive yellow green bean filling.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 5

After pre-processing, the ingredients will be poured into the leaf mold in layers, with the first and last layers being filter powder, each layer being gently shaken until evenly distributed.

Holding a banh xeo in your hand, you will immediately feel the sophistication of Hue culinary artists. The cake is placed in a box made of coconut leaves, covered with a layer of leaves and folded into a square shape. Just take a bite and immediately feel the creaminess of the green beans, the crispy sweetness of the coconut rice and the fragrant elasticity of the tapioca starch. All contribute to creating the unique flavor of the specialty cake of the land of poetry.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 6

The unique flavors of the ingredients when combined together create a unique and harmonious taste for the traditional cake.

In Hue, there are many places selling specialty banh xeo. You can easily buy cakes as travel gifts for about 4,000 – 6,000 VND/piece. Ba Bon Bakery is one of the ideal places to buy and enjoy banh xeo. This is a famous bakery located at 51 Nguyen Thien Thuat, Thuan Hoa, Hue City and has been operating for more than 65 years.

Sweet, chewy and fragrant with the flavor of Hue specialty coconut leaf wrapped banh xeo 7

You can easily buy this cake at any specialty store in Hue for only about 6,000 VND/piece.

What makes banh xeo originating from Bac Ninh province become a Hue specialty that thousands of people love? Hopefully this article from MIA Go Travel Blog has brought you a satisfactory answer. Don’t forget to enjoy this cake on your backpacking journey to explore the cuisine of the land of poetry and leave us your thoughts about the taste.