Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant steamed Vietnamese bánh featuring lotus leaves encasing soft rice flour dough filled with lightly sweetened mung bean paste. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 55 minutes pairs glutinous rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup split mung beans thoroughly. In a small pot, cover mung beans with water and boil for 20 minutes until soft, then drain.
  2. Step 2: Transfer cooked mung beans to a bowl and mash with 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth. Set aside to cool.
  3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup glutinous rice flour, 1/4 cup tapioca starch, and 1/4 cup sugar. Gradually add 3/4 cup warm water while stirring until a smooth, thick batter forms.
  4. Step 4: Prepare lotus leaves by soaking in warm water until pliable, then pat dry and brush each with 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
  5. Step 5: Place one lotus leaf square on a steaming rack. Spoon 2 tbsp of the rice flour batter onto the center, then add 1 tbsp of mung bean filling on top. Cover filling with another 2 tbsp of batter.
  6. Step 6: Fold lotus leaf around the batter to form a packet. Repeat for remaining leaves and filling.
  7. Step 7: Steam bánh over boiling water for 20 minutes until the dough is translucent and set. Remove from steamer and let cool slightly before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 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 Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep glutinous rice flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling?

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 Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Steamed Lotus Leaf Bánh with Sweet Mung Bean Filling?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes