Rice paper, shrimp salt, chili powder, flavoring oils, and toppings
Main Cooking Method
Tossing
Preparation Process
Tossing rice paper strips with other ingredients.
Bánh Tráng Trộn: A Deep Dive
Cultural Significance
One of the most iconic street foods in Southern Vietnam
Taste
Salty and savory
Texture
Chewy rice paper with various textures from added ingredients
Aroma
Rich and savory
Color
Many colors, such as white, red, green, yellow, etc.
Serving Style
In a plate, plastic bag, or box and eaten with chopsticks
Serving Temperature
At room temperature
Accompaniment
No accompaniment
Occasions
On any occasions
Seasons
Year-round
Special Diets
Gluten-free
Calories
300 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 100 grams or 3.5 ounces of bánh tráng trộn.
Popularity
Vietnam
Popular Similar Dishes
Bánh Tráng Nướng
Popular Dining Area
Street vendors in Vietnam
Bánh tráng trộn, literally “mixed rice paper,” is a well-known Vietnamese snack and street food originating in Tay Ninh Province, Southern Vietnam. It is also known as rice paper salad in English.
Bánh tráng trộn was derived from bánh tráng phơi sương (dew-wetted rice paper), a Tay Ninh specialty dating back to the 18th century.
To use up broken pieces of this rice paper variety, locals mixed them with other food ingredients. The new creation eventually became popular throughout Southern Vietnam.
Today, common toppings for bánh tráng trộn include shrimp salt, chili powder, flavoring oils, fried onions, roasted peanuts, quail eggs, minced green mangoes, laksa leaves, dried beef jerky, etc.
This street food is usually served in street food stalls, which sell bánh tráng trộn in plastic bags or boxes with bamboo chopsticks.
Let me tell you more about bánh tráng trộn, such as its advantages, disadvantages, and common concerns that many people have about it.
Key Points
Bánh tráng trộn is a Vietnamese snack and street food with roots in Tay Ninh Province, Southern Vietnam.
Bánh tráng trộn is prepared by mixing rice paper strips with savory ingredients and condiments.
Street vendors usually sell bánh tráng trộn in plastic bags or boxes, and consumers eat it with bamboo chopsticks.
Bánh tráng trộn has the following positive and negative traits.
Pros
Diverse Flavor Profile: Bánh tráng trộn offers a complex blend of flavors, depending on the toppings. You can find sweet, spicy, sour, and umami notes in this versatile street food.
Diverse Texture: The various ingredients in bánh tráng trộn result in many different textures, such as the chewiness of the rice paper, the crunchiness of peanuts, and the freshness of herbs.
Customizability: Bánh tráng trộn can be easily adjusted to suit individual tastes and dietary restrictions.
Convenience: Many people like to have bánh tráng trộn for a snack or light meal because it is widely available and convenient to enjoy on the go.
Affordability: Bánh tráng trộn is typically inexpensive and suitable for people on a budget.
Cultural experience: Consuming bánh tráng trộn is an excellent way to explore the street food scene of Southern Vietnam.
Cons
Nutritional Balance: While tasty, bánh tráng trộn is often high in carbs and fat but lacks sufficient protein, fiber, and other nutrients.
Sodium content: Bánh tráng trộn is typically flavored with many salty condiments and can considerably increase sodium intake.
Dietary Restrictions: Depending on the toppings, bánh tráng trộn may not be suitable for people with certain dietary restrictions, such as plant-based, seafood-free, or pork-free diets.
Environmental Concerns: Traditional bánh tráng trộn is sold in plastic bags or boxes, which can be a minus point for environmentally-minded people.
With these pros and cons in mind, you can move on to other aspects of bánh tráng trộn that other readers are curious about.
Bánh Tráng Trộn FAQs
No, bánh tráng trộn isn’t a healthy dish due to its high content of calories, fat, carbs, and sodium. Therefore, you should consume it in moderation.
Yes, pregnant women can safely consume bánh tráng trộn if the toppings are all cooked thoroughly.
Yes, vegan and vegetarian bánh tráng trộn is widely available in Vietnam thanks to the versatile nature of the dish.
Yes, traditional bánh tráng trộn is gluten-free and is safe for people with celiac disease. However, beware that the ingredients can get contaminated with gluten during the preparation process.
Yes, bánh tráng trộn is gaining popularity beyond Southern Vietnam, such as in the central and northern regions. Many street food stalls in Vietnamese communities in other countries also offer it.
Yes, bánh tráng trộn is fairly spicy due to having several ingredients packed with heat, such as chili powder. However, you can easily adjust the spice level in your servings.
Similar Dishes of Bánh Tráng Trộn
Bánh Tráng Nướng
Bánh tráng nướng is a Vietnamese street food made by grilling a thin rice cracker with various toppings.
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.
#66 in Vietnam
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
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.