Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây

Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is a Vietnamese fritter with roots in Hanoi, made with wheat flour, river prawns, and sweet potatoes.

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

Fact: Bánh tôm Hồ Tây was recommended in a CNN story in 2018.

Flag of Vietnam#79 in Vietnam

Basic Information

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/bahn tome ho tay/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Dish Type

Pancakes

Course

Non-course dish

Mealtime

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Popular Variations

No
Origin and Region

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Northern Vietnam

Associated Region

Hanoi
Vietnam Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Wheat flour, river prawns, and sweet potatoes

Main Cooking Method

Deep-frying

Preparation Process

Preparing the shrimp, julienne the sweet potatoes, mixing the two ingredients with batter, and deep-frying the shrimp in oil.
A Deep Dive

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Iconic dish in Hanoi cuisine

Taste

Savory

Texture

Crispy fried batter, firm shrimp

Aroma

Rich

Color

Golden brown

Serving Style

In a bowl and eaten with chopsticks

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

  1. Fresh vegetables: cucumbers, lettuce, Thai basil, etc.
  2. Pickled carrots, daikon, papayas, kohlrabi, or cucumber
  3. Sweet and sour Vietnamese dipping sauce
  4. Beer
  5. Rice noodles

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Non diet-specific

Calories

521 calories for one serving (approximately 0.9 pound or 408 grams)

Popularity

Northern Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Bánh Cống
  2. Okoy
  3. Tortillitas de Camarones
  4. Tempura
  5. Pajeon

Popular Dining Area

Street vendors and restaurants in Vietnam

Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is a traditional Vietnamese shrimp fritter dish mainly available in the vicinity of Hồ Tây (West Lake) in Hanoi.

Banh Tom Ho Tay Infographic

The largest freshwater lake in Vietnam’s capital city, West Lake provides high-quality river prawns that are the main ingredient of bánh tôm (literally “shrimp cake” or “shrimp fritter”).

Locals prepare bánh tôm Hồ Tây by mixing whole river prawns with julienne-cut sweet potatoes in a wheat flour-based batter and deep-frying them in oil.

The finished dish is served with sweet and sour Vietnamese dipping sauce, pickles, fresh vegetables, and, sometimes, beer.

Bánh tôm Hồ Tây dates back to the 1930s at least and reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, there are many restaurants and street eateries specializing in this fritter dish in the area around West Lake and nearby Truc Bach Lake.

I will tell you about some well-known destinations to try bánh tôm Hồ Tây in Hanoi.

Next, I will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of this dish. Lastly, you will discover the answers to frequently asked questions about this fritter and receive suggestions on similar dishes.

Key Points

  • Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is a famous Vietnamese shrimp fritter from Hanoi.
  • Bánh tôm Hồ Tây is named after West Lake, which provides the river prawns used in it.
  • There are also wheat flour and julienne-cut sweet potatoes in bánh tôm Hồ Tây.
  • People usually serve bánh tôm Hồ Tây with fresh vegetables, Vietnamese dipping sauce, and beer.
  • Authentic bánh tôm Hồ Tây is only available in the vicinity of West Lake.

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây

You can experience the following advantages and disadvantages with bánh tôm Hồ Tây.

Pros

  • Diverse Flavor Profile: The combination of shrimp, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and dipping sauce in bánh tôm Hồ Tây offers a unique mix of sweetness, savoriness, and umami.
  • Texture: Bánh tôm Hồ Tây sports a crispy exterior with a tender interior, providing a satisfying texture contrast that many people enjoy.
  • Cultural Experience: Anyone who wants to explore the food scene of Hanoi will do well to try bánh tôm Hồ Tây, especially when visiting the West Lake area.
  • Nutritional Value: A serving of bánh tôm Hồ Tây features ingredients rich in protein, carbs, fiber, and vitamins.

Cons

  • Allergens: People with seafood allergies should refrain from bánh tôm Hồ Tây.
  • Caloric Content: Because bánh tôm Hồ Tây is deep-fried in oil, it can contain a significant content of fat and calories.
  • Availability: While this prawn-based fritter can be cooked at home or other places, authentic bánh tôm Hồ Tây is only made with river prawns caught from West Lake, so experiencing the genuine version outside Hanoi can be challenging.

Being in Hanoi is a terrific chance to try authentic bánh tôm Hồ Tây. Read on for my recommendations on must-visit places!

Where to Find the Best Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây in Hanoi?

Below are 4 excellent eateries to experience bánh tôm Hồ Tây in Hanoi.

In Hanoi

Nhà Hàng Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây
Address: 1 Thanh Nien Street, Yen Phu Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening time: 9 AM to 9 PM
Bánh tôm Cô Ầm: No-frills setting in a traditional market, offering classic bánh tôm Hồ Tây.
Address: Dong Xuan Market, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening time: 10:30 AM to 1 PM, 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Bánh tôm Bà Lộc: Serving sliced bánh tôm Hồ Tây with a flavorful sauce in a simple setting.
Address: at the corner of Lien Viet and Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening time: N/A
Nhà hàng Hoà Nhã: Offering slightly expensive yet delicious and fulfilling servings.
Address: 49/50 Dang Thai Mai Street, Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening time: 7:30 AM to 8 PM

Now, it’s time to complete your understanding of bánh tôm Hồ Tây by looking at the common queries about this dish.

Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây FAQs

No, bánh tôm Hồ Tây isn’t gluten-free since it is made with wheat flour.

To pair bánh tôm Hồ Tây with beer, you should go for bia hơi (Vietnamese draught beer). Considered one of the world’s cheapest beers, bia hơi is widely available around West Lake.

Yes, shrimp fritters cooked in the same way as bánh tôm Hồ Tây are available in many large cities in Vietnam, such as Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. However, they don’t have the same ingredients as the original version.

Similar Dishes of Bánh Tôm Hồ Tây

Banh Cong

Bánh cống is a Vietnamese fried rice flour-based dish hailing from Soc Trang province in the southern region.

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *