Appetizer · Snack · Asian ·

Vietnamese Bánh Bèo with Dried Shrimp Topping

Name: Vietnamese Bánh Bèo with Dried Shrimp Topping
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 1 cup rice flour; 1 cup water; 1/4 cup tapioca starch; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup dried shrimp, soaked in warm water; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped; 3 tbsp cooking oil; 2 shallots, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup fish sauce; 1/4 cup water; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 lime, juiced; 1 chili, sliced

A classic Vietnamese dish, Bánh Bèo is a delightful treat featuring delicate steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp, scallions, and crispy shallots.

4.4(965 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 26, 2025

Vietnamese Bánh Bèo with Dried Shrimp Topping — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Rice Cakes

Dried Shrimp Topping

Scallion Oil

Crispy Shallots

Fish Sauce Dip

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 521 kcal
Protein: 12.6 g
Carbs: 44.6 g
Fat: 32.2 g
Fiber: 0.8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2084 kcal
Protein: 50.4 g
Carbs: 178.2 g
Fat: 128.7 g
Fiber: 3.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup rice flour	578	6	127	1	2
1 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1/4 cup tapioca starch	104	0	26	0	0
1/4 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 cup dried shrimp soaked in warm water	160	36	0	1.5	0
1 tbsp vegetable oil	120	0	0	14	0
1 clove garlic minced	4	0.2	1	0	0.1
1/4 cup scallions finely chopped	4	0.3	1	0	0.3
3 tbsp cooking oil	360	0	0	40	0
2 shallots thinly sliced	12	0.4	2.6	0.1	0.4
1/3 cup vegetable oil	640	0	0	73	0
1/4 cup fish sauce	35	7	3.5	0	0
1/4 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1 tbsp sugar	49	0	12.5	0	0
1 lime juiced	12	0.2	3.7	0	0.1
1 chili sliced	6	0.3	1.4	0.1	0.2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Dried Shrimp

1
Soak Shrimp
Soak the dried shrimp in warm water for 15 minutes, then drain.
2
Mince Shrimp
Minced the soaked shrimp finely.
3
Cook Shrimp and Garlic
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, then add the minced shrimp. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, set aside.

Preparing the Rice Cake Batter

1
Mix Ingredients
In a bowl, mix rice flour, tapioca starch, water, and salt until smooth.
2
Strain and Rest Batter
Strain the batter to remove any lumps. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
Tip: Make sure to strain the rice flour batter to ensure a smooth texture. Pro Tip: Use a ladle to pour the batter into the molds for even-sized rice cakes.

How to Make Vietnamese Bánh Bèo with Dried Shrimp Topping

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Steam Rice Cakes
Pour the rice flour batter into small dishes or Bánh Bèo molds until each is halfway full. Steam for 5-7 minutes or until set.
2
Prepare Scallion Oil
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil, then pour over the chopped scallions in a heatproof bowl. Mix and set aside.
3
Fry Shallots
Heat 1/3 cup of oil, fry the thinly sliced shallots until golden brown and crispy. Drain and set aside.