Vietnamese clear shrimp pork dumpling with banana leaves

(VNF) - Vietnamese transparent dumplings or “bánh bột lọc” is a specialty of the central region of Vietnam, specifically Hue and Da Nang. Banh bot loc is a fun snack and can be eaten throughout the day.

Translucent, almost gelatinous cakes of sticky tapioca flour filled with sauteed whole shrimp and sliced fatty pork. (Source: FB/Địa Chỉ Ăn Ngon Hà Nội)

Shrimp and Pork Dumplings (Banh Bot Loc) is one of amazing Vietnamese food recipes. It came from Hue city. However, it becomes more popular now.

It made of tapoica flour which becomes clear and translucent when cooked. While the shrimp and pork filling in these dumplings are similar to many Asian dumplings, what sets this apart is its characteristic chewiness. While it shouldn’t be jaw-numbing, the chewy and sticky consistency is a textural delight that we love.

Banh bot loc can either be steamed or boiled and wrapped with or without banana leaf. With the banana leaf wrapping, it is called banh bot loc la, meaning "clear shrimp pork dumpling with banana leaves." Without the banana leaf wrapping, it is called banh bot loc tran, meaning "naked shrimp pork dumpling." The filling is traditionally a whole grilled shrimp with the shell on and a slice of pork belly, but variations have had the filling be shrimp without the shell, no pork belly, ground pork, mushrooms, and onions. In addition to tapioca flour, corn starch and rice flour have also been known to be added in the making the translucent wrapper.

A popular snack food, these scrumptious banh bot loc are completely addicting. The combination of chewy and slippery dumpling skin filled with flavorful meat morsels and then dipped in a sweet fish sauce dipping sauce will have your taste buds jumping for joy!

How to eat it? Dip the cake with a sauce, then put it in your mouth… (Source: backuaiake)

Where to Eat in Hanoi? For those who have never been to Vietnam, some of the best foods are not in restaurants, but at food stalls in markets or make shift restaurants along the street.

You can come Nem Lui Hue - An La Like (Lane 4, Thuy Khue Str., Ba Dinh Dist.); 138 Bui Thi Xuan Str., Hai Ba Trung Dist.; 23 Hoan Kiem Lake Str. or 43 Hang Buom Str. in Hoan Kiem Dist; 243 Ngoc Lam Str., Long Bien Dist.; 21 Dang Tran Con Str., Dong Da Dist., etc.

A plate of banh bot loc (5-7 cakes per plate) costs about VND 20.000-25.000-35.000 (USD 1- 1.1-1.54)./.

VNF