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When talking about the specialties of Quảng Ngãi, one cannot ignore the unforgettable crispy pancakes paired with savory fish sauce—a simple dish that leaves a lasting impression on many travelers. Also known as white crispy pancakes, they are made from rice flour and served with a special fish sauce. Despite its seemingly straightforward ingredients, this dish has etched itself into the memories of countless explorers. Join us at Fish Sauce Tĩn as we unravel the recipe and explore the best places to savor these delightful crispy pancakes in Saigon!
Essential ingredients for crafting the crispy pancakes
The crispy pancakes with dipping sauce are crafted using basic ingredients such as rice flour, onions, fish sauce, chili, garlic, and more.
Mastering the art of creating simple yet flavorful crispy pancakes
Step 1: Prepare the batter
Depending on the type of flour you acquire, the process of preparing the pancake batter may vary. However, there are two main methods commonly used for making crispy pancake batter as follows:
For ready-made pancake mix: Simply pour it into a clean bowl, then gradually add water following the instructions on the packaging. Be cautious to pour the water slowly to avoid making the batter too thin. Use chopsticks to stir continuously. Scoop up some batter with a tablespoon and pour it down to check if the consistency meets the requirements. If it feels dense and slightly sticky, you're good to go.
For dry rice flour: Pour the flour into a bowl, prepare some warm water, and slowly pour the warm water into the flour. While pouring the water, use chopsticks to stir continuously to ensure the flour dissolves completely. Similarly, for pre-mixed flour, use a tablespoon to scoop up the batter and pour it down to gauge its consistency. Avoid making the batter too thin or thick, as it can result in either a sticky or dry pancake surface, causing cracks.
Finally, add chopped green onions and mix thoroughly. For dry rice flour, season with a pinch of salt and sugar to enhance the pancake's flavor. Regularly stir the batter to prevent it from settling at the bottom of the bowl.
Preparing the batter is a crucial step that directly influences the deliciousness of the pancakes
Step 2: Pour the pancake batter
Heat the pancake mold on the stove, add a bit of cooking oil, wait until the oil is hot, then ladle the red pancake batter in. Flip it evenly to spread the batter across the pan's surface, cover, and wait for the pancake to cook.
After about 1-2 minutes, uncover, flip half of the pancake into a crescent shape. Wait another minute, then flip the remaining half, and wait for another minute until the pancake is fully cooked. Use tongs to lift it out and let it drain excess oil.
The pancake shell, once poured, may appear white and not as crispy as typical pancakes. The cooked batter emits a fragrant rice aroma, maintaining a chewy yet non-sticky texture with just the right level of firmness.
Repeat this process until the batter is used up. Note that you shouldn't let the freshly poured pancakes be too close to each other to prevent sticking. Pour the pancake batter neither too thick nor too thin, adjusting based on the mold size, using 1-2 scoops of batter.
The pancake shell, without any filling, is poured relatively thick and lacks the crispiness found in other types of pancakes.
Step 3: Prepare the dipping sauce
For the pineapple, peel off the outer skin, remove the eyes, and clean it with water. Cut ¼ of the pineapple, store the rest in the fridge. Slice the pineapple thinly, then finely chop it.
After purchasing garlic, peel off the outer skin, wash it with water, and finely chop it. For the chili, remove the stem, wash it, and chop it along with the garlic.
Prepare a small bowl, combine finely chopped garlic, chili, and pineapple with a bit of sugar. Finally, add fish sauce and mix thoroughly until all ingredients dissolve. Taste and adjust to your family's preference before serving.
The dipping sauce, made with pineapple, garlic, and chili, helps mellow the fish sauce, creating a delightful flavor for the dish.
Step 4: Finished dish - Crispy pancakes with dipping sauce
The finished dish features crispy pancakes with a fragrant rice flour aroma, paired with a touch of the dipping sauce. Everything blends harmoniously to create an unforgettable, rich flavor.
The end product is a plate of bite-sized crispy pancakes, paired with a savory and flavorful dipping sauce.
Address for enjoying crispy pancakes with dipping sauce in Saigon
Bình Định-style Crispy Pancakes – Phú Nhuận
On a rainy day when hunger strikes and you're unsure of what to eat, quickly head to the Bình Định-style Crispy Pancakes restaurant in Phú Nhuận. Making a plate of these crispy pancakes with a delightful dipping sauce is incomparable. The friendly owner, easy-to-find location, and affordable prices make the dining experience even more enjoyable. In addition to the crispy pancakes, the restaurant also offers delicious mini savory pancakes.
The eatery only opens in the morning, so if you crave their food, make sure to visit and grab some for takeout. With an average price ranging from 10,000đ to 15,000đ per portion of crispy pancakes and mini savory pancakes, it's affordable and always attracts a crowd due to its delicious offerings.
The Bình Định-style Crispy Pancake restaurant in Phú Nhuận is consistently busy and sells out every morning.
Beefsteak restaurant – Thủ Đức
Located on Street No. 3, Hiệp Bình Phước, Thủ Đức, the beefsteak restaurant is one of the popular places for crispy pancakes. The pancakes, not too thick and fragrant, are elegantly presented on a plate with a side of dipping sauce, providing a delightful experience for the taste buds.
The crispy pancakes with dipping sauce at the Beefsteak restaurant in Thủ Đức are a popular hangout for young people every weekend.
Crispy Pancakes – Bình Định Delights – Gò Vấp
Bình Định Delights is a must-visit for hardcore fans of crispy pancakes. This place offers a variety of pancakes, from traditional ones to those filled with shrimp, meat, or egg.
Each serving of pancakes comes with fresh vegetables and dipping sauce. The restaurant is bustling with customers, mainly students and office workers. It opens from 9 am to 7 pm, so make sure to arrive early.
Bình Định Delights in Gò Vấp is renowned not only for its crispy pancakes with dipping sauce but also for offering a variety of different pancakes.
Closing Thoughts
With the recipe for crispy pancakes with dipping sauce and the top places to get pancakes in Saigon, we hope this helps you satisfy your hunger with your favorite dish. May you find success with the provided recipe.
Posted by: Ngọc Quý
Keywords: Crafting Bình Định's Specialty Crispy Pancakes with Dipping Sauce
