Bánh Pía

Fact: A company in Soc Trang created an enormous bánh pía, weighing 306 kilograms (674.6 lbs) and measuring 1.3 meters (4.2 ft) in diameter.

Bánh Pía: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/bahn pee-ah/

Alternative Name(s)

Bánh bía, bánh lột da

Dish Type

Cakes and pastries

Course

Dessert

Mealtime

Anytime

Bánh Pía: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Southern Vietnam

Associated Region

Soc Trang

Popular Bánh Pía Variations

Bánh Pía Đậu Xanh Sầu Riêng

Features mung bean and durian filling, combining sweet and creamy textures.

Bánh Pía Khoai Môn

Made with taro filling, offering a unique, earthy flavor

Bánh Pía Sóc Trăng

A regional variation from Soc Trang, known for its authentic taste and quality

Bánh Pía Thịt Lạp

Features savory minced pork (thịt lạp)
Provides a sweet and savory combination.

Bánh Pía Chay

A vegetarian version, often made without egg or animal products

Bánh pía is a sweet Vietnamese fusion cake inspired by the Teochew cuisine’s Suzhou-style mooncake. It features multiple dough layers encasing a sweet filling, typically mung bean and durian.

In Vietnam, bánh pía is a traditional specialty of the Soc Trang region, a popularity attributed to the Chinese immigrants in the area. Typically, the multi-layer dough of bánh pía is made by combining pig fat with all-purpose flour. 

Interestingly, the multiple layers of bánh pía have earned it another name, bánh lột da. Additionally, the outer crust is also stamped with red Chinese characters. In terms of ingredients, the filling also comes with a salted egg yolk in the middle. 

To fully understand bánh pía, explore its variants which offer a variety of fillings. Then, explore the good and bad aspects of consuming bánh pía before learning about the features that differentiate it from traditional Chinese mooncakes. 

Additionally, I’ve compiled some questions about bánh pía to further expand your knowledge of this treat. Moreover, I recommend exploring some specialties similar to bánh pía.

Bánh Pía Images

Bánh pía served with a side of tea.

Bánh pía cut into wedges for serving with tea.

Vietnamese bánh pía sliced open to expose the filling.

Mini versions of bánh pía from Soc Trang.

What Are the Many Versions of Bánh Pía?

Bánh pía, aside from the mung bean paste and durian, has various adaptations with different fillings. Therefore, it’s crucial that you’re aware of the bánh pía varieties that you’re going for:

Bánh Pía Đậu Xanh Sầu Riêng

Features mung bean and durian filling, combining sweet and creamy textures.

Bánh Pía Khoai Môn

Made with taro filling, offering a unique, earthy flavor

Bánh Pía Sóc Trăng

A regional variation from Soc Trang, known for its authentic taste and quality

Bánh Pía Thịt Lạp

Features savory minced pork (thịt lạp)
Provides a sweet and savory combination.

Bánh Pía Chay

A vegetarian version, often made without egg or animal products

Later on, consider the benefits and drawbacks of consuming bánh pía to decide whether you want to enjoy this flaky sweet treat.

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Pía

There are many features of bánh pía that you should know ahead of time before eating. For that, here are the aspects to consider carefully:

After knowing about the good and bad features of eating bánh pía, let your curiosity run free by learning about the differences between this sweet treat when compared to traditional Chinese mooncakes.

How is Bánh Pía Different from Traditional Chinese Mooncakes?

Here are the key differences between bánh pía and traditional Chinese mooncakes:

Bánh Pía

Crust Texture: Typically flakier and lighter
Cultural Adaptation: Vietnamese adaptation with local influences
Size and Shape: Often smaller, varied shapes
Festive Association: Enjoyed broadly, not tied to specific festivals

Traditional Chinese Mooncakes

Crust Texture: Denser, more cake-like
Cultural Adaptation: Strongly associated with Chinese traditions
Size and Shape: Typically round or square
Festive Association: Strongly associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival

Later, don’t miss the opportunity to explore some questions about bánh pía, which will further enhance your understanding of the dish.

Bánh Pía FAQs

Bánh Trung Thu

Bánh trung thu is a traditional Vietnamese mooncake with two varieties of sticky or baked pastry.