Easiest Banh Nam Recipe Guide 

Banh Nam is often called the Vietnamese tamale, which are rectangular dumplings filled with meat and then wrapped and steamed. 

Banh Nam is typically filled with minced pork and shrimp that can be eaten as a snack on its own or as a dish doused in some nuoc cham.

The recipe is easy to cook but takes some planning and procuring some unique ingredients, like banana leaves which are commonly found in the frozen section of well-stocked Asian or Latino markets.

Let’s talk about how you can have your Banh Nam recipe done easily. 

What is Banh Nam?

It is one of Dong Thap’s folk dishes originating from the Southern region of Vietnam. 

This dish is a soft rice cake made from white glutinous rice and yellow glutinous rice mixed with fillings such as mung beans, sugar, mashed green banana, and pork meat. 

It is considered an important food for people in the Mekong Delta region, especially during the Tết (Lunar New Year) and Tet (Spring Festival). 

It is also considered a symbol of good luck, joy, and prosperity. 

The rice flour, shrimp, and pork give it a tasty flavour you won’t easily forget. Moreover, it is well-known as one of the most famous dishes you must try in Hue.

There are two main ingredients for fillings banh name including shrimp and pork, which are minced with some shallots and garlic. 

The shrimps and pork are seasoned and mixed well before being stir-fried in a pan. 

Banh Nam is wrapped in banana leaves which are either boiled in hot water or dried under the sun. 

The banana leaves are spread with oil before the paste and fillings are added to them. 

Then, wrapped in a rectangular shape and tied with banana leaf string. It can be served after being steamed for about 15 to 20 minutes.

It is best to enjoy it when it is still hot. 

You can also make the vegan recipe of Banh Nam, where you will use green beans instead of using shrimp and pork as fillings.

Because of its healthy ingredients and delicious taste, everyone can eat it, and it is usually eaten as breakfast or snack by the locals.

How to Make Banh Nam Recipe

Equipment Needed

• steamer

Ingredients Needed 

For Batter

• 2 cups of rice flour
• ¼ cup of tapioca flour
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 2 tablespoons of neutral cooking oil
• 6 cups of water

For Filling

• 1 lb of finely ground pork 
• 1 lb of finely chopped shrimp peeled and deveined
• ½ cup of soaked and finely chopped wooden ear mushroom
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• ½  teaspoon of salt
• ½ tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons of annatto seed oil or cooking
• 2 chopped shallots medium
• 3 cloves of chopped garlic cloves
• 2 chopped green onion stalks 

For Assembly

• 1 package banana leaf thawed if frozen 
• Cut into roughly rectangles 6 x 10 inches

Instructions on how to prepare

Step 1: Banana leaves

• Boil a large pot of water and blanch the banana leaves for 30 seconds. 
• Drain and wipe dry, then cover and set aside.

Step 2: Batter

• Add all the batter ingredients into a large pot and allow to mix and set aside for 30 minutes. 

Step 3: 

• Proceed to make the filling while you cook the batter under high heat and constantly stirring. When it thickens, reduce the heat to medium/low and continue to stir until it becomes a thick paste.

Step 4: Filling

• Combine all the filling ingredients except the annatto oil, garlic, and onions.
• Mix well and set aside. 
• Heat the annatto seed oil in a large pot. When hot, add the garlic and, shallots, green onion, and fry until fragrant. 
• Add the filling mixture into the large pot and cook until the pork and shrimp are done. 
• Allow to cool and set aside for some minutes. 

Step 5: Assembly and Cook

• Use a silicone spatula to place about 1 tablespoon of batter onto the center of the banana leaf.
• Spread into a thin rectangle about 2.5 x 4 inches.
• Add 1 teaspoon of filling and spread evenly. 
• Fold over sides and then ends. 
• Flip and pat to even out the banh nam. 
• Repeat this process with the remaining batter and filling and steam for about 15 minutes 
• Serve still warm as a snack or with nuoc cham.

Cooking Information

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Assembly: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours

Expert Cooking Tips

• If you want to be creative with the filling, don’t use just one type of meat or vegetable in a single turn. 

You can mix and match or try something new by adding some tofu to the mix.

• Use fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones, adding more flavor and texture to your dish.

• If you want a thicker sauce, use the one that contains coconut milk, as it will give your dish a richer flavor profile without making it too heavy on the stomach!

• Allow the batter to cool slightly so that it will be less sticky and easier to spread with a silicone spatula or back of wet spoon.  

You should also Keep the batter covered to prevent drying. 

• For the annatto oil, steep about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil with 1 teaspoon of annatto seed. Then heat and stir occasionally until the oil becomes dark red color remove from heat and drain seeds. 

This can be done a day ahead. 

Nutritional Information

• Sodium: 405mg 
• Calcium: 35mg 
• Vitamin C: 1mg 
• Vitamin A: 10IU 
• Sugar: 1g 
• Fiber: 1g 
• Potassium: 105mg 
• Cholesterol: 61mg 
• Calories: 147kcal 
• Saturated Fat: 2g 
• Fat: 7g 
• Protein: 8g 
• Carbohydrates: 13g 
• Iron: 1mg

What to serve Banh Nam with

Banh nam can be served with peanut butter and jelly. It’s also good with Nutella or any other kind of chocolate spread.

You can make banh nam sandwiches by filling them with your favorite sandwich toppings like ham, cheese, and avocado.

It can also be topped with fresh fruits like bananas and strawberries for a sweet treat.

Storage Information

To store leftover Banh Nam, ensure that it has cooled completely before you start storing it in an airtight container.

Line the bottom of the container with parchment paper or waxed paper to avoid getting stuck to the container when you take it out later on.

Pour it into the container, making sure that there are no air bubbles trapped underneath it, to avoid molding issues over time if left unchecked!

Cover it using another piece of parchment paper or waxed paper before sealing it tightly with an elastic band around its opening edge so that no air can get inside once more to prevent any additional moisture loss from occurring while also keeping things sanitary inside!

Then store the container in a cool place away from direct sunlight where temperatures stay between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion

Banh Nam is one of Dong Thap’s folk dishes that originated from the Southern region of Vietnam. 

It is a soft rice cake made from white glutinous rice and yellow glutinous rice mixed with fillings such as mung beans, sugar, mashed green banana, and pork meat. 

It is an important food for people in the Mekong Delta region, especially during the Tết (Lunar New Year) and Tet (Spring Festival). 

This dish is considered a symbol of good luck, joy, and prosperity. 

Banh Nam is wrapped in banana leaves which are either boiled in hot water or dried under the sun. The banana leaves are spread with oil before the paste and fillings are added. 

Then, wrapped in a rectangular shape and tied with banana leaf string. 

It can be served after being steamed for about 15 to 20 minutes. It is best to enjoy it when it is still hot. 

You can also make the vegan recipe of Banh Nam, where you will use green beans instead of using shrimp and pork as fillings.

Because of its healthy ingredients and delicious taste, everyone can eat it, and it is usually eaten as breakfast or snack by the locals.

You can store the left Banh nam in an airtight container following the procedure explained above. 

We hope you found this recipe guide helpful. Don’t forget to check back for a more exciting recipe guide. 

FAQS