Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crisp, golden Vietnamese savory pancakes filled with shrimp, mung beans, and crunchy bean sprouts, pan-fried to perfection and served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired snacks ready in about 70 minutes turns rice flour, turmeric powder, coconut milk into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup rice flour, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 1/4 cups coconut milk, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth and free of lumps. Stir in 2 sliced green onions. Let batter rest 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/3 cup soaked and drained yellow mung beans to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened; remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: Wipe skillet clean and heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Pour 1/3 cup batter into skillet, swirling to coat bottom thinly. Cook 1 minute until edges crisp.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 3 shrimp, 2 tbsp mung beans, and 1/4 cup bean sprouts on one half of the pancake. Drizzle with 1 tsp vegetable oil and cook 1-2 minutes until underside is golden and crispy.
  6. Step 6: Fold pancake in half over filling and slide onto a plate. Repeat to make 5 more pancakes.
  7. Step 7: Mix dipping sauce by combining 1/4 cup fish sauce, 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp chopped chili until sugar dissolves.
  8. Step 8: Serve pancakes hot with fresh lettuce leaves and mint for wrapping, accompanied by the dipping sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (40 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Fried Vietnamese Banh Xeo with Shrimp and Bean Sprouts?

Vietnamese snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes