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Vietnamese Honeycomb Cake: A Must-Try Vietnamese Dessert

Monday, June 17, 2024 Food & drink Nguyen Phuong

When visiting Vietnam, one of the unique culinary delights you must try is Bánh bò, also known as the Vietnamese honeycomb cake. This traditional treat has been an integral part of Vietnamese cuisine for centuries, and it offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Find out what makes this traditional Vietnamese dessert special in this article with Autour Asia.

I. Overview of Vietnamese honeycomb cake
II. How to make Vietnamese honeycomb cake?
- 1. Ingredients and preparation
- 2. Vietnamese honeycomb cake recipe
III. Popular types of Vietnamese honeycomb cake in Vietnam
IV. Where to buy Vietnamese honeycomb cake?

I. Overview of Vietnamese honeycomb cake

Originating in Vietnam's southwestern region, Bánh bò or Vietnamese honeycomb cake is a beloved traditional dessert. It holds a special place in family gatherings and ancestral ceremonies. The cake is distinguished by its unique honeycomb-like texture, created by the expansion of gas pockets during the baking process.

Each piece of Vietnamese honeycomb cake contains approximately 82 to 110 calories, primarily due to its main ingredient, rice flour. Rice flour is high in starch, which can convert to sugar and potentially contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. For a balanced diet, it is advisable to enjoy this cake in moderation, ideally no more than twice a week, with a recommended serving limit of five pieces.

II. How to make Vietnamese honeycomb cake?

Vietnamese honeycomb cake is a delectable treat renowned for its unique pandan and coconut flavors. The cake's intricate crumb patterns create a light, springy texture that makes it truly special. A well-loved variation is the pandan honeycomb cake, which stands out with its bright green hue. This cake is tasty whether eaten alone or with a cup of tea or coffee.

1. Ingredients and preparation

Bánh bò is a traditional Vietnamese dessert with an ancient origin, and in different regions, this cake has distinct characteristics in terms of ingredients, cooking methods, colors, and flavors. Vietnamese honeycomb cake is made with rice flour, coconut milk, cooking oil, sugar, and either yeast or a bread starter. These carefully selected ingredients create a cake with a soft, slightly chewy texture and a gentle sweetness. When making the Vietnamese pandan honeycomb cake, pandan extract is added to the batter. This not only gives the cake its striking green color but also imparts a fragrant, herbal aroma.

2. Vietnamese honeycomb cake recipe

Bánh bò, the beloved Vietnamese honeycomb cake, can be prepared using various methods, each imparting its own unique texture and flavor. The most common cooking techniques for bánh bò include baking, steaming, frying, and even microwave cooking. Each method results in a different texture and color.

Bánh bò can be round or square-shaped, wrapped in banana leaves or left unwrapped. Some are simple with a single bean filling, while others are more complex, featuring multiple layers of different fillings stacked together. The color of bánh bò can range from the pale white of steamed varieties to the distinctive golden-brown hue of baked ones, depending on the ingredients and cooking method.

How to make Vietnamese honeycomb cake? To create a delicious honeycomb cake, begin by combining rice flour, coconut milk, cooking oil, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, mixing until you achieve a smooth batter. Knead this batter for 45 minutes to an hour, a crucial step in developing the cake's distinctive texture. Next, prepare a cake mold by pouring in the batter and brushing the top with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place the mold in the oven and bake the cake until it browns evenly on both sides, typically about 45 minutes. Once baked, allow the cake to cool before slicing and serving it, ensuring a delightful treat for any occasion.

III. Popular types of Vietnamese honeycomb cake in Vietnam

With the diversity in ingredients, cooking techniques, and creative variations, bánh bò has become a traditional yet ever-evolving dessert, catering to a wide range of palates across different regions. In Vietnam, several popular types of honeycomb cakes are cherished for their unique flavors and textures. Discover Vietnam's diverse honeycomb cakes, each offering a unique taste experience:

1. Palm sugar honeycomb cake

Palm sugar honeycomb cake is one of the famous specialties in An Giang rovince. The distinctive flavor of the cake comes from palmyra palm sugar, wrapped enticingly in pandan leaves. After steaming, the cake has an attractive golden yellow color. The cake itself is light, soft, and smooth without any dryness.

2. Cao Bang honeycomb cake

Originating from Cao Bang province, this version uses brown sugar instead of coconut milk, resulting in a soft texture and a vibrant yellow color. This type of cake has a light, airy honeycomb-like texture and a golden yellow color. It melts delicately in the mouth, without being cloying, leaving just a subtle sweetness on the tip of the tongue. The refined flavor of the Vietnamese honeycomb cake has become a distinct and indispensable taste in the culinary scene of the local markets.

3. Coconut honeycomb cake

Coconut honeycomb cake is a tasty Vietnamese dessert with a mix of coconut milk in the batter and a coconut filling, giving it a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. These honeycomb cakes are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a journey into the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam, perfect for sharing and enjoying with friends and family.

IV. Where to buy Vietnamese honeycomb cake?

Visitors can buy Vietnamese honeycomb cake at Vietnamese bakeries, Asian grocery stores, local markets with Vietnamese vendors, and sometimes online retailers specializing in Asian foods. These places often offer a variety of honeycomb cakes, including traditional versions and regional variations like coconut or pandan-flavored cakes. If you're in an area with a Vietnamese community, checking local bakeries and markets is a great way to find homemade and authentic options.

Here are some suggestions to buy Vietnamese honeycomb cake in Hanoi:

Hil Heo Shop: 20/3 Nguyen Dinh Hoan, Cau Giay District,Hanoi
Banh Bo Nung Ninh: 159 Lam Du, Long Bien District, Hanoi
Banh Bo Thot Not Nguyen Son: C30 Alley 69 Duong Khue, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

In conclusion, Vietnamese honeycomb cake stands as a must-try dessert for anyone exploring Vietnamese cuisine. Its unique textures and flavors, from the classic version to regional variations like coconut or pandan, offer a delightful culinary experience. Whether sourced from local bakeries, Asian grocery stores, or online platforms specializing in Asian foods, discovering this sweet treat promises to introduce you to a rich and beloved aspect of Vietnamese culinary heritage. Don't miss the opportunity to indulge in this delicious and memorable dessert.

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It is advisable to refer to:
> Pennywort juice
> What to eat in Vietnam?
> 2 week Vietnam Trip
> Vietnam Day Trips