How to Make Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake with Egg (Banh Bot Chien)?

Bot Chien, also known as Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake with Egg, is a beloved street food delicacy that hails from the vibrant culinary landscape of Vietnam. This delectable snack is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike, offering a mouthwatering combination of crispy rice flour cakes, savory eggs, and a burst of flavors from the accompanying sauce. Let’s dive into the delightful world of Bot Chien and explore its origins, preparation, and unique taste.

Bot Chien is made from simple yet flavorful ingredients that come together to create a tantalizing experience for your taste buds. The combination of crispy rice flour cakes, savory eggs, and aromatic green onions creates an alluring aroma and taste that captures the essence of Vietnamese street food.

Bot Chien Recipe

Cooking notes

• Yield: 4 servings
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Course: Snack
• Cuisine: Vietnamese
• Equipment:
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Pan or Skillet

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 pound pork belly, thinly sliced (substitute with preferred protein for a vegetarian option)
• 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions

Creating Bot Chien at home is a delightful experience that allows you to savor the authentic flavors of Vietnam. Here is a step-by-step recipe to prepare this mouthwatering snack:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, tapioca flour, water, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well until you have a smooth batter.
2. Heat one tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan or skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the sliced pork belly to the pan and cook until it turns golden brown and crispy. Remove the pork from the pan and set it aside.
4. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of cooking oil and pour in half of the rice flour batter, spreading it evenly to form a thin layer.
5. Crack one egg onto the batter and spread it gently across the surface.
6. Sprinkle half of the chopped green onions on top of the egg.
7. Let the mixture cook until the bottom of the rice flour cake is crispy and golden.
8. Carefully flip the entire cake to cook the other side until it achieves a crispy texture.
9. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients (rice flour batter, egg, and green onions) to make another rice flour cake.
10. Once both cakes are cooked and crispy, cut them into bite-sized squares.
11. Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce (commonly a mixture of fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili peppers, and crushed peanuts).

The Irresistible Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake Sauce

Banh Bot Chien Sauce is a key component that elevates the flavors of Bot Chien. It’s a combination of sweet, savory, and tangy elements that perfectly complement the crispy cakes. The sauce typically includes:

• Fish sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Garlic
• Chili peppers
• Crushed peanuts

The balance of these ingredients creates a sauce that adds an irresistible dimension to the already delectable Bot Chien.

Tips to make Bot Chien better

• For a crispier bot chien, you can add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter.
• To make the bot chien more flavorful, you can add chopped scallions, shrimp, or chopped vegetables to the batter.
• Serve the bot chien with your favorite dipping sauce, such as sweet and sour sauce, chili sauce, or soy sauce.

Nutrition facts of Bot Chien

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
• Calories: 345 kcal
• Total Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 116mg
• Sodium: 260mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 9g
• Vitamin D: 1mcg
• Calcium: 24mg
• Iron: 1mg
• Potassium: 171mg

Banh Cu Cai Bot Chien: A Unique Variation

In some regions of Vietnam, you’ll find a delightful variation of Bot Chien known as “Banh Cu Cai Bot Chien.” In this version, the traditional pork belly is substituted with pickled radish (cu cai), giving the dish a tangy twist. The pickled radish adds a unique flavor profile to the dish, making it an exciting option for those seeking a different taste.

FAQs

Can I use other proteins instead of pork belly for Bot Chien?

Absolutely! While pork belly is a popular choice, you can experiment with various proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu to suit your preferences.

Is Bot Chien a vegetarian-friendly snack?

The traditional Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake recipe contains eggs and pork belly, but you can easily adapt it to a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables.

Where can I find banh bot chien sauce outside Vietnam?

Banh bot chien sauce may be available in Asian grocery stores or online retailers that specialize in Vietnamese products.

Can I make the rice flour cakes in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the rice flour cakes in advance and store them in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the cakes on a pan until they become crispy again.

Is Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake a spicy dish?

The spiciness of Bot Chien depends on the amount of chili peppers used in the banh bot chien sauce. You can adjust the spice level according to your preference.

Conclusion

Vietnamese Fried Rice Cake, embodies the essence of Vietnamese street food with its aromatic flavors and crispy texture. Making this delectable snack at home not only provides a delightful culinary experience but also offers a glimpse into the rich food culture of Vietnam. Whether you enjoy the traditional version or the unique banh cu cai bot chien, this dish will undoubtedly leave you craving for more.

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as you explore the savory world of Bot Chien, and don’t forget to try the flavorful banh bot chien sauce that enhances the taste to new heights. So, gather your ingredients, head to the kitchen, and indulge in the authentic taste of Vietnam with this mouthwatering Bot Chien recipe.