Bánh căn is a simple yet extremely unique and impressive dish from the South Central region of Vietnam. What is Bánh căn? Where is this specialty from? Will eating this make you gain weight? Join me in exploring these questions related to Bánh căn.
What is Bánh căn?
Bánh căn is a small cake made from a diluted rice batter and is baked in small molds placed over a grill. Because the cakes are so small, they are usually counted in pairs.
With simple ingredients, Bánh căn stands out as a remarkable representation of Nha Trang cuisine and the South Central region
The cakes come with various fillings such as shrimp, minced meat, squid, and eggs. When consumed, the cakes are dipped in a sweet and spicy garlic and chili fish sauce. However, depending on the region, different dipping sauces are used. Common accompaniments include green mango, sour star fruit, or aromatic herbs.
To make delicious Bánh căn, one must select a blooming type of rice, soaked for 3-6 hours. Additionally, there should be sun-dried cold rice, approximately 1/5 of the rice quantity. After soaking, the rice and dried rice are mixed and then ground into a watery batter.
Bánh căn is baked over a charcoal stove, poured into clay trays
When baking, the first step involves stacking wood, igniting it, and fanning the flames until they blaze and the smoke reduces. Once the grill is hot, the mold, already brushed with a layer of grease on the bottom, is placed on it. When the mold is very hot, the batter is ladled in, followed by the various fillings. The lid is then covered, and the cakes are baked for about 1.5 minutes. Once cooked, the lid is removed, and a small spatula is used to lift the cakes. At this point, chopped green onions are sprinkled on top, and then two cakes are paired together. The process continues until all the batter is used.
Where is Bánh căn a specialty?
The true origin of Bánh căn can be traced back to the Cham community in the Ninh Thuận and Bình Thuận regions. Over time, the cake became a popular dish in the provinces of the South Central coast, and is especially famous in places like Khánh Hòa, Đà Lạt, Đà Nẵng, and more.
When the Vietnamese adopted and popularized it, the original, simple Bánh căn of the Cham people underwent modifications and creative twists, making them more distinctive and turning them into one of the prominent representatives of the culinary world of the South Central region.
The Vietnamese rendition of Bánh căn stands out with its rich and enticing accompaniments
Does eating Bánh căn make you gain weight?
Bánh căn is primarily made from rice flour, combined with other ingredients such as shrimp, minced meat, squid, and quail eggs. A plate of about 5 pairs of Bánh căn contains approximately 810 calories.
Regarding the question of whether eating Bánh căn leads to weight gain, it’s hard to give a definitive answer.
Eating Bánh căn moderately doesn’t necessarily lead to weight gain
– How much Bánh căn can you consume? You can eat as much as you wish, but ensure that the total calories you ingest do not exceed your body’s daily caloric requirement, then you won’t gain weight.
– To consume Bánh căn and still maintain your weight, it’s best to eat in moderation and accompany it with various vegetables. If you happen to overindulge in Bánh căn, you should reduce your intake of other high-calorie foods that day to prevent weight gain.
The above answers detailed questions about Bánh căn. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of this small cake and can appreciate it as a distinct culinary delight from the South Central region.