Bánh Tẻ

Bánh tẻ is a Vietnamese savory rice flour cake that originated in Northern Vietnam and can be made by steaming or boiling.

Truc Tran (Kris)

By Truc Tran (Kris)

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

Fact: While bánh tẻ was originally prepared for special occasions, it is now a common snack.

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Basic Information

Bánh Tẻ: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/bahn teh/

Alternative Name(s)

Bánh lá, bánh răng bừa

Dish Type

Dumplings, steamed dishes, boiled dishes

Course

Non-course dish

Mealtime

Anytime

Popular Variations

Savory and vegetarian bánh tẻ
Origin and Region

Bánh Tẻ: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Northern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Bánh Tẻ: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Rice flour, minced pork shoulder, and wood ear mushrooms

Main Cooking Method

Steaming or boiling

Preparation Process

Preparing the dough, preparing the filling, shaping bánh tẻ, wrapping bánh tẻ in banana or dong leaves, steaming or boiling bánh tẻ.
A Deep Dive

Bánh Tẻ: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Typical snack and street food in Northern Vietnam

Taste

Savory

Texture

Soft and chewy

Aroma

Subtle

Color

White rice flour exterior

Serving Style

Unwrapped and eaten with a spoon

Serving Temperature

Hot or warm

Accompaniment

Chili sauce or Vietnamese dipping sauce

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

312 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for one serving of bánh tẻ

Popularity

Vietnam, especially in Northern Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Bánh Giò
  2. Tamale
  3. Zongzi

Popular Dining Area

Local street vendors and restaurants

Bánh tẻ, literally “non-glutinous rice cake,” is a Vietnamese steamed or boiled cake that originated in Northern Vietnam.

Banh Te Overview

It is cylindrical and usually wrapped in dong (Stachyphrynium placentarium) leaves or banana leaves.

Locals usually make bánh tẻ with rice flour, minced pork shoulder, and wood ear mushrooms. Vegetarian versions replace pork with mung beans.

Bánh tẻ can be served hot or cold with chili sauce or sweet and sour Vietnamese dipping sauce.
Many Northern provinces, like Hanoi, Hung Yen, and Bac Ninh, boast villages famous for their bánh tẻ.

In the past, people only made bánh tẻ for special occasions like the Tet holiday, weddings, or ancestors’ death anniversaries.

Nowadays, this traditional cake is available year-round as a snack and street food. Do you know that bánh tẻ is also known as bánh lá (“leaf cake”) or bánh răng bừa (“spike harrow cake”)?

Read on to discover other interesting facts about this Vietnamese cake. I will delve into its advantages, disadvantages, and common concerns. I will also cover similar dishes in the end.

Key Points

  • Bánh tẻ is a boiled or steamed Vietnamese cake from Northern Vietnam.
  • The main ingredients of bánh tẻ are rice flour, pork, and wood ear mushrooms.
  • Bánh tẻ has a long, cylinder-like shape and is wrapped in banana or dong leaves.
  • From a ceremonial dish, bánh tẻ is now enjoyed as a typical snack and street food.

Bánh Tẻ Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Tẻ

Bánh tẻ has the following strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

  • Satisfying Flavor Profile: The combination of high-quality rice flour, savory filling, and the aroma from the banana leaf wrapping imparts a unique taste to bánh tẻ.
  • Cultural Significance: Bánh tẻ is a traditional Northern Vietnamese snack with a long history, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage.
  • Gluten-free Quality: Bánh tẻ is naturally gluten-free and suitable for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
  • Nutritional Value: Bánh tẻ is rich in protein and healthy carbs. In addition, this type of cake is easier to digest than many similar dishes in Vietnam.

Cons

  • Preparation Time: Making bánh tẻ is a time-consuming task, especially the wrapping and steaming process.
  • Caloric Content: Depending on the filling and size, bánh tẻ can be relatively high in calories and shouldn’t be consumed in large quantities.
  • Limited Availability: Outside of Vietnam, it might be challenging to find authentic bánh tẻ. Purchasing fresh dong leaves for the wrappings is also difficult.
  • Dietary Restrictions: The pork filling in traditional bánh tẻ is unsuitable for vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions related to pork.

After learning about those benefits and shortcomings, you nearly know all the essential facts about bánh tẻ. Find out the rest in the FAQs section.

Bánh Tẻ FAQs

Bánh tẻ is a Northern Vietnamese cake made from a rice flour-based dough and has a cylindrical shape. Meanwhile, bánh giò is common in many regions of Vietnam, incorporates rice flour and tapioca flour into the dough, and sports a pyramid-like or dome-like shape.

Bánh tẻ can stay good for 2 – 3 days at room temperature and 4 – 5 days if refrigerated. Frozen bánh tẻ can last 2 – 3 months; the uncooked version is better for freezing.

Similar Dishes of Bánh Tẻ

Banh Gio

Bánh Giò

Bánh giò is a Vietnamese steamed savory rice cake wrapped in banana leaves with pork and mushroom filling.

  1. Vietnamese Dishes FlagExplore Most Popular Vietnamese Dishes
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)
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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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