Bánh Ướt

Bánh ướt is a Vietnamese dish made from thin sheets of steamed rice batter and usually paired with savory foods.

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 Ướt

Fact: Many provinces in Central Vietnam have famous bánh ướt dishes, especially Thua Thien Hue and Khanh Hoa.

Basic Information

Bánh Ướt: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/ɓǎjŋ̟ ʔɨ̌ət/ or
/bahn oo-uht/

Alternative Name(s)

Bánh mướt

Dish Type

Rolls, rice dishes, snacks

Course

Non-course dish

Mealtime

Anytime
Origin and Region

Bánh Ướt: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Northern Vietnam

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
A Deep Dive

Popular Bánh Ướt Variations

Banh Uot Cha Lua

Bánh Ướt Chả Lụa

Banh Uot Nem Chua

Bánh Ướt Nem Chua

Banh Uot Thit Nuong

Bánh Ướt Thịt Nướng

Ingredients and Preparation

Bánh Ướt: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Rice flour

Main Cooking Method

Steaming

Preparation Process

Preparing the rice batter and steaming the rice rolls
A Deep Dive

Bánh Ướt: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Popular snack and street food in Vietnam

Taste

Savory

Texture

Soft, moist, and supple

Aroma

Slightly sweet

Color

White, translucent

Serving Style

In a bowl with a spoon and chopsticks

Serving Temperature

Warm or at room temperature

Accompaniment

  1. Dipping sauces, especially Vietnamese dipping sauce (nước mắm tỏi ớt)
  2. Meat-based dishes like chả lụa, nem chua, chả quế, chả giò, thịt heo quay, thịt nướng, etc.
  3. Fragrant herbs and vegetables
  4. Garnish like fried shallots or onions

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Gluten-free

Calories

145 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for 3.5 ounces (or 100 grams) of bánh ướt.

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Gỏi Cuốn
  2. Phở Cuốn
  3. Bánh Gật Gù
  4. Rice Noodle Roll

Popular Dining Area

Local households, restaurants, street vendors

Bánh ướt, literally “wet cake,” is a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of steamed rice noodle sheets.

Banh Uot Infographic

It is the plain version of bánh cuốn, a specialty made by wrapping a rice noodle sheet around a savory filling. Bánh ướt has no filling and can be served as rolls or sheets.

Locals usually serve bánh ướt as a street food with nước mắm tỏi ớt (Vietnamese dipping sauce), fried shallots or onions, fragrant herbs, and meat-based dishes.

Popular protein-rich accompaniments for bánh ướt are chả lụa (boiled pork sausage), nem chua (fermented pork dish), chả quế (cinnamon pork pâté), chả giò (spring rolls), thịt heo quay (roast pork), thịt nướng (grilled pork), etc.

There are many variations of bánh ướt based on the accompaniments. Bánh ướt thịt nướng (with grilled meat) is a specialty of Thua Thien Hue Province.

Meanwhile, Khanh Hoa Province is known for Dien Khanh-style bánh ướt served with cooked mung beans, pork floss, and scallion oil.

Do you want to know about the upsides and downsides of bánh ướt? Stay tuned for them, as well as the common concerns and similar dishes of bánh ướt.

Key Points

  • Bánh ướt is a Vietnamese dish with thin, wide sheets of steamed rice batter.
  • Bánh ướt is the unfilled version of bánh cuốn.
  • Locals usually serve bánh ướt with sweet and sour dipping sauces, herbs, and savory meat-based dishes.
  • Bánh ướt is popular throughout Vietnam as a light and enjoyable dish.

Bánh Ướt Images

What Are Popular Variations of Bánh Ướt?

There are 3 main bánh ướt variations, classified according to the accompanying meat products.

Banh Uot Cha Lua

Bánh Ướt Chả Lụa

Served with boiled pork sausage

Banh Uot Nem Chua

Bánh Ướt Nem Chua

Served with fermented pork dish
Can have other types of cold cuts

Banh Uot Thit Nuong

Bánh Ướt Thịt Nướng

Served with grilled pork
Cooked as a specialty in Thua Thien Hue Province

After learning about these bánh ướt variations, it’s time to discover the upsides and downsides of this Vietnamese delicacy.

Pros and Cons of Eating Bánh Ướt

Bánh ướt boasts the following boons and drawbacks.

Pros

  • Versatile Flavor Profile: Bánh ướt has a distinct, subtle flavor enhanced with accompaniments like herbs, meats, and dipping sauces. Depending on your choice of sides, bánh ướt can offer various taste experiences.
  • Light Nature: Low in fat and calories, bánh ướt is generally a light dish that is easy to digest.
  • Flexibility: You can serve bánh ướt in different ways, either as a main dish or a midday snack.

Cons

  • Limited Availability: Outside of Vietnam, it might be challenging to find authentic bánh ướt.
  • Perishability: As a fresh, moist dish, bánh ướt doesn’t keep well for long periods and should be consumed as soon as possible.
  • Cooking Requirement: Making bánh ướt at home can be time-consuming and requires a certain level of skill and equipment to get the rice sheets just right.

You are now familiar with the pros and cons of bánh ướt, but how about other aspects, like how to store bánh ướt? Read on to find out more!

Bánh Ướt FAQs

To purchase the right kind of steamer for making bánh ướt, you can visit Asian supermarkets and stores or online retailers, such as Amazon.

Yes, bánh ướt is gluten-free since the rice flour used in bánh ướt doesn’t contain gluten, so this steamed dish is suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

You can store bánh ướt by refrigerating it for 2 – 3 days or freezing it for 2 – 3 months. Don’t forget to keep bánh ướt separate from its accompaniments and store it in an airtight container.

Yes, the basic rice sheets of bánh ướt are vegan. However, it is often served with meat-based accompaniments. For a vegan-friendly option, choose plant-based sides and dipping sauces. People on a plant-based diet can enjoy bánh ướt with soy sauce and vegan foods like roasted peanuts or fried tofu.

Similar Dishes of Bánh Ướt

Goi Cuon

Gỏi Cuốn

Gỏi cuốn is a Vietnamese fresh spring roll filled with pork, shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli, and wrapped in rice paper.

Pho Cuon

Phở Cuốn

Phở cuốn is a Vietnamese rolled dish from Hanoi consisting of phở noodles, beef, and vegetables.

Banh Gat Gu

Bánh Gật Gù

Bánh gật gù is a Vietnamese dish from Quang Ninh province, consisting of unfilled rice rolls served with dipping sauce and braised pork.

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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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