Bánh Khảo

Bánh khảo is a block-shaped cake with an outer layer made of glutinous rice flour and a sweet filling that is derived from the Choang ethnic group.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
  • Traditional
Home » Dishes A-Z » Bánh Khảo

Fact: In Vietnam, the best place to find bánh khảo is from Thong Hue village in Trung Khanh district, where the cake was created.

Flag of Vietnam#114 in Vietnam

Basic Information

Bánh Khảo: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/bahn khao/

Alternative Name(s)

Oản bột, bánh oản, oản đường

Dish Type

Cakes and pastries, snacks

Course

Dessert

Mealtime

Anytime
Origin and Region

Bánh Khảo: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Northern Vietnam

Associated Region

Lao Cai, Cao Bang
Vietnam Map
A Deep Dive

Popular Bánh Khảo Variations

Ingredients and Preparation

Bánh Khảo: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Roasted glutinous rice flour, sugar, sesame seeds, nuts

Main Cooking Method

Roasting

Preparation Process

It involves roasting rice, grinding, pounding sugar, and forming the filling and outer layer before molding the cake.
A Deep Dive

Bánh Khảo: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Traditional rice cake of the Tày, Choang, and Nùng ethnic communities

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Soft, slightly firm, dry

Aroma

Aroma of roasted rice

Color

White, brown or yellow filling

Serving Style

In bite-sized blocks or pieces wrapped in thin plastic

Serving Temperature

At room temperature

Accompaniment

Tea, coffee, nuts, Vietnamese smoothies

Occasions

New year, festivals

Seasons

Year-round, Spring

Special Diets

Vegan, vegetarian

Calories

200 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 40 grams of Bánh In Tròn Nhân Đậu Xanh.

Popularity

Vietnam, China

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Klepon
  2. Halva

Popular Dining Area

Local stores and markets in Vietnam

Bánh khảo is a traditional Vietnamese rice treat originating from the Tày, Choang, and Nùng ethnic people in the country. In the Tày language, the word khảo means rice, but this dry treat actually makes use of roasted glutinous rice flour with sugar, sesame seeds, and aromatic nuts.

Banh Khao Infographic

Typically, a traditional block of bánh khảo needs to go through a laborious process of roasting the rice, grounding, and sugar pounding before forming the filling and outer layer. Then, the two elements are incorporated into a mold to create bánh khảo.

Once this treat arrived in Kim Long village in Hue, the Vietnamese people called it bánh in and the cake later on became a favorite across the country. In the Northern region of Vietnam, bánh khảo is usually an offering item at temples, shrines, Tết events, and ceremonies.

Don’t forget to fully uncover the variations of bánh khảo along with all the side options for enjoying the cake and the advantages and disadvantages of it.

Then, take your time to find out about the common concerns relating to bánh khảo and some suggestions for specialties that are just like it.

Key Points

  • Bánh khảo is a traditional Vietnamese rice-based snack.
  • It originates from the Tày, Choang, and Nùng ethnic groups.
  • In Northern Vietnam, bánh khảo is often used in offerings at temples and shrines, during Tết celebrations, and in various ceremonies.

Bánh Khảo Images

What Are the Different Versions of Bánh Khảo?

Bánh khảo spreads to many regions outside of small ethnic groups, thus resulting in many adaptations of this glutinous rice cake:

Banh Khao Trang Dinh

A regional variant from Trang Dinh, Lang Son in Vietnam
Made by the Tày and Nùng ethnic groups in the area to be a gift during Tết

Banh Khao Cao Bang

A regional variant from Cao Bang
Often made for Tết events

Banh Phuc Linh

Similar to bánh in but made solely from dough and without any filling.

Banh In

A renowned version of bánh khảo in Vietnam, coming from Hue
Made in rectangular or round shapes

Having explored the diverse regional variations of bánh khảo, each with its unique twist, let’s now shift your focus to the accompaniments that pair well with this sweet cake.

What Dishes to Pair with Bánh Khảo?

As a sweet treat, bánh khảo is best with items that compensate for its profile, bringing the overall experience to a perfect balance. Here are 4 popular options to try with bánh khảo:

Tra

Tea

A pot of hot tea, especially green tea or jasmine tea, is a classic accompaniment. The slight bitterness and warmth of the tea can balance the sweetness of the cake.

Sua Chua Ca Phe

Coffee

Vietnamese coffee, either hot or iced, can be a great beverage to enjoy with bánh khảo. The strong, slightly bitter taste of the coffee pairs well with the sweet cake.

Nut Mixes

Nut mixes

A mix of unsalted or lightly salted nuts can offer a crunchy contrast to the soft, chewy texture of the cake.

Sinh To

Sinh tố

Fresh fruit juices made into a smoothie provide a refreshing touch while enjoying the dry profile of bánh khảo.

Knowing about items that go with bánh khảo is only one side of the story since it’s important for anyone to know about the features that decide whether this cake is suitable for your consumption.

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Khảo

These are the good and bad features that influence people who are looking to consume bánh khảo:

Pros

  • Energy source: As it contains carbohydrates from rice and sugar, it can be a quick source of energy.
  • Portable and convenient: Its solid, compact form makes it easy to transport and consume, ideal for snacks or on-the-go eating.
  • Versatility in flavors: The basic recipe of bánh khảo allows for variations in terms of added flavors, nuts, and seeds, making it adaptable to different tastes and preferences.
  • Long shelf life: When prepared and stored properly, bánh khảo can have a relatively long shelf life compared to other snacks, making it a convenient food to keep on hand.

Cons

  • Gluten content: Being made from glutinous rice flour, it is not suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
  • Labor-intensive preparation: The traditional method of making bánh khảo is quite laborious, which is not practical for everyday cooking.
  • Allergy concerns: The inclusion of nuts can be a concern for those with nut allergies.

Next, explore the bánh khảo common concerns that allow you to delve deeper into the nuances of this traditional delicacy.

Bánh Khảo FAQs

Yes, bánh khảo is adapted to use alternative sweeteners, such as honey or agave, to cater to different dietary needs or preferences.

Traditional bánh khảo is suitable for vegans, as it typically doesn’t contain animal products. However, it’s always best to check the specific ingredients used.

When stored properly in a cool, dry place, bánh Khảo can have a relatively long shelf life compared to other snacks.

Freezing bánh khảo is not typically recommended as it may affect its texture and flavor. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored as per traditional methods.

Truc Tran (Kris)

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.

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