An Essential Guide to Bánh Cam

Fact: Bánh cam is the southern version of bánh rán.

Bánh Cam: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/ɓaːn˧˧ kəm˧˧/
or /bahn kam/

Alternative Name(s)

Dish Type

Cakes and pastries, snacks, fried dishes

Course

Non-course dish

Mealtime

Anytime

Popular Variations

Classic Bánh Cam (Filled With Mung Beans)
Bánh Cam Đậu Đỏ (Filled With Adzuki Beans)
Bánh Cam Mặn (Filled With Savory Ingredients)

Bánh Cam: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Southern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified

Bánh Cam: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Glutinous rice flour, mung beans, sesame seeds, sugar

Main Cooking Method

Deep-frying

Preparation Process

Preparing the outer shell, preparing the mung bean paste, filling the shell with mung bean paste, deep-frying bánh cam

Bánh Cam: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A popular snack in Southern Vietnam

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Crispy outer shell with a soft, dense filling

Aroma

Mild

Color

Golden brown

Serving Style

Eaten with hands

Serving Temperature

Hot or warm

Accompaniment

No accompaniment

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan

Calories

210 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for one serving of bánh cam

Popularity

Vietnam, especially in Southern Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

Bánh Rán
Jian Dui
Buñuelos

Popular Dining Area

Households, street vendors, and restaurants in Vietnam

Bánh cam is a Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice ball popular in the southern region. It is filled with sweet mung bean paste, encrusted with sesame seeds, and dipped in hot sugar syrup made from brown sugar and water.

Some versions replace mung beans with adzuki beans or use a mixture of rice flour, glutinous rice flour, and tapioca flour for the dough.

Bánh cam is the southern version of bánh rán, a well-known glutinous rice ball dish in Northern Vietnam.

But while bánh rán features a savory, pork-based filling that can rattle inside the hollow shell, bánh cam is a sweet snack with a filling that sticks to the exterior.

Bánh cam means literally “orange cake,” referring to the snack’s orange color or orange-like shape. The classic version is a traditional street food in Vietnam.

Bánh cam mặn (“savory bánh cam”) is a version filled with pork, wood ear mushrooms, and vegetables, just like bánh rán.

Locals usually sell bánh cam alongside bánh còng, a doughnut-like treat that is made from glutinous rice flour and contains no filling.

Although Vietnamese people typically enjoy bánh cam on its own, inhabitants in An Giang Province often serve it as a side dish for bánh canh (thick rice noodle soup). In 2022, CNN Travel recommended bánh cam as one of the world’s 30 best fried foods.

There are more engaging facts about bánh cam waiting for you, such as the strengths and weaknesses of this snack. Next, I will delve into frequently asked questions about bánh cam and suggest similar dishes.

Bánh Cam Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Cam

Bánh cam has the following positive and negative traits.

Pros

Satisfying Flavor and Texture: Bánh cam offers a delightfully sweet flavor and a crispy texture that can please any palate.
Convenience: You can easily store and carry bánh cam around thanks to its relatively compact size.
Vegan-friendly Snack: Traditional bánh cam is a vegan dish and is suitable for people on a plant-based diet.
Energy Boost: Bánh cam can provide a quick source of calories thanks to its sugar and carb content.

Cons

Sugar Content: Bánh cam is often high in sugar and might not be ideal for those watching their calorie intake, especially people with diabetes
Fried Food Concerns: As a fried food, bánh cam can contain a high fat content and, consequently, should be consumed in moderation.
Availability: Bánh cam might not be readily available outside of Vietnam.

After exploring the pros and cons of bánh cam, why don’t you find out about the aspects of this Vietnamese snack in the FAQs section?

Bánh Cam FAQs

Yes, traditional bánh cam is a gluten-free snack that people with celiac disease can safely consume. However, since dedicated gluten-free facilities aren’t popular in Vietnam, cross-contamination can occur during the preparation process.

Yes, you can prepare bánh cam with an air fryer. Preheat the device according to the instruction manual, place uncooked bánh cam in a single layer, and cook until the glutinous rice balls are crispy. You should brush the balls with a small amount of oil for easier cooking.

Similar Dishes of Bánh Cam

Bánh Rán

Bánh rán is a Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice ball coated in sesame seeds and filled with a savory mix of ground pork or sweet mung bean paste that is enjoyed as a snack.

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Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.