The Banh Dictionary
To those of us who raise an eyebrow over names like “fish cake”, “spicy rice cake”, “sticky rice cake”: you’re not alone. Whether you actually know what they are, you know that they must not be the right translation, and more amusingly, that they’re not even related enough to live together under the “cake” category. The Vietnamese label “bánh” (pronounced |beng| in the North and a no-equivalent-English-sound, mouth-horizontally-widened fashion in the South) for everything made from flour, whether it be a noodle or a gateau. And it’s tiring to hear every “bánh” turns into a “cake” after translation. So this page is my comprehensive and continuously updated list of the Vietnamese bánh‘s and their correct translations (and an extremely feeble attempt to phoneticize the Northern pronunciation).
B
Bánh bao – |beng bao| – steamed bun – “bao”: to wrap up; bánh bao is the Vietnamese version of baozi, wheat flour, savory
— Bánh bao chỉ – |beng bao ji| – snowball, Vietnamese mochi, loh mai chi – sticky rice flour, sweet, Southern VN
— Bánh bao chiên – |beng bao jien| – fried bánh bao – savory
Bánh bèo – |beng beo| – waterfern banh – “bèo”: waterfern, referring to the shape and size of the banh – rice flour, savory(*), Central VN
Bánh bía – |beng bia| – pia pastry, Vietnamese-adapted Suzhou mooncake – wheat flour, savory or sweet, Southern VN
Bánh bò – |beng bo| – steamed rice sponge cake, bak tong goh – rice flour, sweet, Southern VN
— Bánh bò bông – |beng bo bong| – steamed sponge muffin
— Bánh bò nướng – |beng bo nu-eung| – grilled sponge muffin
Bánh bông lan – |beng bong lan| – cake (birthday cake and stuff like that) – sweet
Bánh bột lọc – |beng bot lok| – clear flat dumpling – cassava flour with savory shrimp fillings, Central VN
C
Bánh cam – |beng kam| – deep fried sesame ball – “cam”: orange (the color of the banh) – sticky rice flour, sesame coating, red bean filling, sweet, Southern VN
Bánh canh – |beng keng| – chewy short rice noodle – used in noodle soup, similar to udon but shorter and translucent, also referring to the noodle soup itself, savory
Bánh cáy – |beng kay| – crispy rice treats with crab egg – “cáy”: a kind of small crab – sticky rice, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh căn – |beng kaen| – stone grilled flat banh – a crunchy, airy, chewy, and thicker version of bánh bèo, rice flour, savory(*), Central VN
Bánh chuối nướng – |beng jui nu-eung| – baked banana bread – bread and banana, sweet, Southern VN
Bánh chưng – |beng jung| – Lunar New Year cake – sticky rice with mung bean and lean pork filling, savory, Northern VN
Bánh cốm – |beng kom| – rice flake minicake – “cốm”: rice flake, made from dried flattened young grains – rice, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh cống – |beng kong| – fried mung bean minibread – mung bean with shrimp or pork, savory(*), Southern VN
Bánh cuốn – |beng kuon| – steamed (rice) roll – rice flour with pork and mushroom filling , savory(*), Northern VN
D
Bánh da lợn – |beng yah leun| – pig skin pie – tapioca flour, with at least 3 layers: 1 layer of mung bean sandwiched between 2 chewy tapioca layers that resemble pig skin, sweet, Southern VN
Bánh dầy |beng yay|
— Bánh dầy giò – |beng yay zoh| – sticky rice bun with sausage, chewy bun with sausage – sticky rice, chả lụa, savory, Northern VN
— Bánh dầy đậu – |beng yay dou| – mung bean mochi – sticky rice, mung bean, savory, Northern VN
Bánh dừa – |beng yuah| – coconut (sticky rice) stick – sweet, Southern VN
Bánh đa – |beng dah| – the Northern Vietnamese name of grilled thick Bánh Tráng
Bánh đập – |beng dup| – mashed banh – pieces of grilled bánh tráng and fresh bánh ướt stick together (i.e. a bánh tráng and a bánh ướt is mashed together) – rice flour, savory(*), Central VN
Bánh đậu (bánh đậu xanh) – |beng deu-ooh xeng| – mung bean cookie – mung bean flour, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh đúc – |beng dook| – rice slab – “đúc”: to cast (in sculpture), batter is steamed in a bowl to form a white gelatinous slab, eaten with savory sauces, pork, mushroom – rice or corn flour, savory(*), Northern VN
G
Bánh gai (bánh ít lá gai) – |beng it lah ghai| – thorn leaf sticky rice bun – sticky rice flour, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh gio – |beng zo| – the Northern Vietnamese name of Bánh Ú Tro
Bánh giò – |beng zo| – savory steamed rice dumpling – rice flour, pork and mushroom filling, savory, Northern VN
H
Bánh hỏi – |beng hoi| – rice noodle mesh – savory(*), Central and Southern VN
I
Bánh in – the Southern name of Bánh khảo
Bánh ít – |beng it| – sweet sticky rice cone – sticky rice flour, coconut or mung bean filling, sweet, Northern VN
— Bánh ít quy – see Bánh quy
— Bánh ít ram – |beng it ram| – half fried mochi ball – sticky rice flour, shrimp and meat filling, Central VN
K
bánh khảo/bánh in – |beng khao/beng in| – “pressed” snack bar with mung bean paste – “in”: to print, to press – dried sticky rice flour, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh khoai mì – |beng kho-ai mee| – cassava banh – cassava flour, sweet, Southern VN
Bánh khoái – |beng kho-ai| – fried rice pizza – similar to Bánh Xèo but thicker and crunchier – rice flour, meat, shrimp, vegetable, savory, Central VN
Bánh khọt – |beng khot| – fried coconut rice minibread – rice flour mixed with coconut milk, shrimp, savory(*), Southern VN
Bánh khúc (xôi khúc, xôi cúc) – |beng khook| – cudweed xoi – Jersey-cudweed– (gnaphalium affine) leaf-flavoring sticky rice, steamed, mung bean (and sometimes fatty pork) filling, savory, Northern VN
L
Bánh lọt – |beng lot| –
Bánh lỗ tai heo (bánh tai heo) – |beng loh tai heo| – pig ear cookie (cookies shaped like pig ears) – sweet, crunchy, Southern VN
M
Bánh mật – |beng muht| –
Bánh men – |beng men| – yeast cookie – tapioca flour, sweet, crunchy, powdery, Southern VN
Bánh mì – |beng mee| – Vietnamese sandwich – savory
N
Bánh nậm – |beng num| –
P
Bánh phồng tôm – |beng fong tom| – shrimp cracker – a crunchy, airy cracker often accompanying salads, savory
Bánh phục linh – |beng fook ling| – tapioca cookie – similar to Bánh men but thicker, sweet, powdery
Bánh phu thê – |beng foo theh| – see Bánh xu xê
Q
Bánh quế – |beng kueh| –
Bánh quy – |beng kwee| – turtle mochi – sweet, sticky rice dumpling with coconut or mung bean paste filling
S
Bánh su kem -|beng shu kem| – choux pastry, creme puff
T
Bánh tầm bì – |beng tum bee| – thick rice noodle with shredded pork skin, savory(*)
Bánh tẻ – |beng tae| –
Bánh tét – |beng taet| – sticky rice log – mung bean paste and fatty pork filling, savory, Southern VN
Bánh tiêu – |beng teew| – Chinese sesame beignet – hollow plain doughnut (not sweet), Southern VN
Bánh tổ – |beng toh| –
Bánh tổ ong – |beng toh ong| – waffle
— Bánh tổ ong lá dứa – |beng toh ong lah yuah| – green waffle, pandan leaf waffle
Bánh tôm – |beng tom| –
Bánh tráng – |beng jang| – rice paper – rice flour, either use as wrapper for rolls (if thin) or toasted and eaten as snack (if thick)
Bánh trôi – |beng joi| – (chè trôi nước, chè xôi nước) – mochi in ginger syrup – mung bean filling, sweet, Northern VN
Bánh trung thu – |beng jung thoo| – mooncake, sweet or savory
U
Bánh ú tro – |beng ooh joh| – Vietnamese-adapted jianshui zong – ash dumpling – sticky rice, red bean paste filling, sweet
Bánh ướt – |beng uout| – rice noodle sheet – “ướt”: wet – rice flour, eaten with meat and savory dipping sauces(*), Northern VN
X
Bánh xèo – |beng xe-oh| – sizzling crepe – eaten with mixed fish sauce (nước chấm), savory, Southern VN
Bánh xu xê – |beng xoo xeh| – (couple cookie) – a strayed pronunciation but more-commonly-used name of Bánh Phu Thê , a jello pastry made of sticky rice flour and arrowroot starch, mung bean paste filling, sweet, Northern VN
—————————————————–
(*): eaten with mixed fish sauce (nước chấm)
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
1Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
2Merely a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style. “Treat the other man’s faith gently it is all he has to believe with.” by Athenus.
3Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a entertainment account it. Look advanced to more introduced agreeable from you! However, how could we be in contact?
4I like this blog so much, saved to favorites.
5I conceive this website has some rattling excellent information for everyone. “Je veux que les paysans mettent la poule au pot tous les dimanches.” by King Henry IV of France.
6Needed to create you the very small word to be able to thank you so much yet again considering the nice basics you have contributed in this article. This is unbelievably open-handed with you to present unreservedly just what a few individuals would have made available as an e book to help with making some dough for themselves, chiefly considering that you might have tried it if you considered necessary. The tactics additionally served as a good way to understand that most people have similar fervor the same as my own to find out many more when considering this condition. I believe there are millions of more pleasant moments ahead for individuals who go through your site.
7Thanks for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such a perfect way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been at the look out for such info.
8Thanks for helping out, wonderful information.
9The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to learn, but I actually thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you can fix if you happen to werent too busy searching for attention.
10Thanks – Enjoyed this update, how can I make is so that I get an update sent in an email whenever there is a fresh article?
11You made some decent factors there. I seemed on the web for the difficulty and located most individuals will go together with along with your website.
12I saw a lot of website but I believe this one has something extra in it in it
13I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂
14Heya this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
15I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
16Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
17Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
18Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!
19I am glad to be one of many visitors on this great website (:, thankyou for posting.
20I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were invaluable extremely helpful
21I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
22Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My website discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!
23I’m no longer positive where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic info I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
24I love looking through and I think this website got some truly useful stuff on it! .
25I like this website very much so much good info .
26I love what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll.
27I likewise conceive so , perfectly indited post! .
28Great article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
29whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, a lot of people are hunting around for this information, you can aid them greatly.
30Great remarkable things here. I am very happy to peer your post. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
31I’ve read several just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you put to create any such wonderful informative site.
32Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact used to be a enjoyment account it. Look complicated to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
33I am really impressed together with your writing talents and also with the structure for your weblog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to look a great blog like this one nowadays..
34This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
35Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great layout.
36Outstanding post, I think people should learn a lot from this weblog its real user genial.
37I got what you intend, regards for posting.Woh I am thankful to find this website through google.
38Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
39Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was searching for!
40I simply desired to thank you so much again. I do not know what I could possibly have done without the entire strategies shown by you over such a subject. It seemed to be the distressing issue for me personally, however , witnessing a expert avenue you dealt with the issue took me to jump with gladness. Extremely thankful for your work and expect you know what an amazing job that you’re putting in educating most people with the aid of a blog. I am certain you’ve never come across all of us.
41I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
42I believe this web site has very fantastic written written content articles.
43Great post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired! Extremely helpful info particularly the ultimate phase 🙂 I take care of such information a lot. I used to be seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
44Thanks , I’ve just been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
45I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very helpful invaluable
46Hi there very cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I’m happy to search out a lot of useful information right here within the post, we’d like develop extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
47Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and I’m shocked why this coincidence did not came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
48As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
49I have recently started a blog, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
50