Banh Xeo in Ottawa — Authentic Vietnamese Sizzling Crepe at Vietnam Palace
Craving banh xeo in Ottawa? If you’ve been searching for “banh xeo near me” or the best Vietnamese pancake in Ottawa, you’ve found it. At Vietnam Palace, right in the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown on Somerset Street, we’ve been hand-making crispy, golden banh xeo the traditional way since 1989. This is the sizzling, coconut-scented crepe that makes Vietnamese food unforgettable — and it tastes even better when it’s made fresh to order.
What Is Banh Xeo?
Banh xeo (pronounced “bahn say-oh”) literally means “sizzling cake” — named for the loud xeo sound the batter makes when it hits a screaming-hot pan. It is a large, thin, savoury Vietnamese crepe made from rice flour, water, turmeric (which gives it that signature sunny yellow colour) and coconut milk. The crepe is folded like a taco or omelette around a generous filling of shrimp, thinly sliced pork, bean sprouts and sometimes mung beans. The edges fry up lacy and shatteringly crisp while the centre stays tender — that contrast is the whole point.
The Origin and Regions of Banh Xeo
Banh xeo comes from Vietnam and has two famous regional styles. In central Vietnam (around Hue and the coast) the crepes are smaller, thicker and served in individual portions. In the south (Saigon and the Mekong Delta) they are enormous, extra-crispy and loaded with coconut milk for richness — this is the style most people picture. The southern version, with its wide golden fan of crepe and pile of fresh herbs, is what most Ottawa diners fall in love with. Wherever it comes from, banh xeo is street-food comfort at its finest.
How Banh Xeo Is Made
Great banh xeo is all about technique. The batter is whisked from rice flour, turmeric, a splash of coconut milk and cold water, then rested so it cooks up thin and crisp. A wok or wide skillet is heated until it’s almost smoking, oiled, and the shrimp and pork are seared first. The batter is swirled in a thin layer — that’s the xeo sizzle — then bean sprouts pile on top, the pan is covered for a moment to steam the filling, and finally the crepe is folded and slid out golden and lacy. It has to be served immediately, while the edges still crackle. That’s why we cook every order fresh at Vietnam Palace rather than letting it sit.
Key Ingredients
A classic banh xeo brings together a handful of simple, fresh ingredients: rice-flour batter tinted with turmeric, creamy coconut milk, plump shrimp, thin slices of pork, crunchy bean sprouts, and green onion. It arrives with a mountain of fresh herbs and lettuce — mint, perilla, Thai basil, cilantro — and a bowl of nuoc cham, the sweet-sour-garlicky fish-sauce dip that ties everything together.
How to Eat Banh Xeo (the Right Way)
Here’s the fun part. Banh xeo is a hands-on, wrap-it-yourself dish. Tear off a crisp piece of the crepe, lay it inside a leaf of lettuce, pile on fresh herbs, roll it into a little bundle, and dunk it in nuoc cham. The lettuce and herbs keep everything light and fresh while the crepe stays crunchy. One bite gives you crisp, savoury, herbal, sweet and tangy all at once. Don’t be shy — in Vietnam this is finger food, and getting your hands involved is half the joy.
Flavor Profile
Banh xeo is a masterclass in texture and balance. The crepe is crispy and rich from coconut and a good sear; the filling is savoury and juicy; the herbs and lettuce bring cooling freshness; and the nuoc cham adds bright acidity, a hit of garlic and gentle sweetness with a touch of chili heat. Nothing is heavy or greasy when it’s made properly — it’s light, aromatic and deeply satisfying.
Why Vietnam Palace’s Banh Xeo Stands Out
At Vietnam Palace we don’t cut corners. Our banh xeo is cooked to order in a blazing-hot pan so it reaches your table with the edges still crackling, folded around fresh shrimp and pork and a generous handful of bean sprouts. We serve it the authentic way — with a full plate of fresh herbs, crisp lettuce and house-made nuoc cham — so you get the true Vietnamese experience, not a shortcut version. Decades of family cooking go into every crepe. Pair it with a starter of Vietnamese spring rolls and a bowl of Ottawa’s best pho for the full spread.
Serving Ottawa’s Chinatown Since 1989
Vietnam Palace is a Somerset Street institution. For over three decades we’ve been part of the fabric of Ottawa’s Chinatown, feeding students, families, downtown workers and visitors who come from across the city for a taste of home. Our location at 623 Somerset St W puts us minutes from downtown, Little Italy and the ByWard Market — easy to reach whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout. When people search for authentic Vietnamese food in Ottawa, they end up on Somerset — and they end up at our door. See where we fit among the top Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa.
Banh Xeo at a Glance
| Element | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Crepe | Rice flour + turmeric + coconut milk, fried crispy and golden |
| Filling | Shrimp, sliced pork, bean sprouts, green onion |
| Served with | Fresh lettuce, mint, perilla, Thai basil, cilantro |
| Dipping sauce | Nuoc cham (sweet-sour-garlic fish sauce) |
| How to eat | Wrap crepe pieces in lettuce & herbs, dip, enjoy |
| Flavor | Crispy, savoury, herbal, bright and fresh |
Perfect Pairings for Banh Xeo
Banh xeo shines alongside fresh spring rolls and a bright, herby noodle salad. Part of the joy of eating at Vietnam Palace is building a spread. Start with a shareable appetizer, add banh xeo, and round things out with a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Vietnamese meals are meant to be communal, colourful and balanced — a mix of textures, temperatures and flavours across the table. Our servers are always happy to suggest combinations, whether you’re dining with a big group or just treating yourself to a solo feast. Wash it all down with a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee or a refreshing herbal drink for the full experience.
Dine In, Take Out, or Order for a Group
However you like to eat, Vietnam Palace makes it easy. Dine in and enjoy banh xeo fresh from the kitchen in our welcoming Chinatown dining room, or call ahead for takeout when you’re on the move. Planning a family gathering, office lunch or celebration? We regularly cater to larger groups and can help you put together an order that feeds everyone. To order or reserve, call us at (613) 232-8666 or book a table online. You can always browse the full lineup on our menu page before you decide.
Why Ottawa Keeps Coming Back for Banh Xeo
Ottawa’s Vietnamese food scene is centred on Somerset Street, and Vietnam Palace has been at its heart for over 35 years. Diners return again and again because we stay true to authentic recipes and fresh ingredients rather than chasing shortcuts. Students from nearby campuses, downtown professionals, families and food lovers from across the National Capital Region all find their way to our tables. When people search for “banh xeo near me” in Ottawa, they’re looking for the real thing — and that’s exactly what we’ve served since 1989. Come taste the difference that decades of experience and genuine Vietnamese hospitality make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find banh xeo near me in Ottawa?
Vietnam Palace at 623 Somerset St W in Ottawa’s Chinatown makes authentic banh xeo fresh to order. If you’re searching “banh xeo near me” in Ottawa, we’re a short trip from downtown, Centretown, Little Italy and the ByWard Market.
What is banh xeo?
Banh xeo is a crispy Vietnamese sizzling crepe made from rice flour and turmeric, filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, and eaten wrapped in lettuce and fresh herbs with nuoc cham dipping sauce.
Is banh xeo gluten-free?
Traditional banh xeo batter is made from rice flour, which is naturally gluten-free. However, the fish-sauce dip and shared cooking surfaces may introduce gluten, so please let our staff know about any allergies and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
How do you eat banh xeo?
Break off a piece of the crispy crepe, wrap it in lettuce with fresh herbs, roll it up, and dip it in nuoc cham. It’s a hands-on, build-your-own-bite dish — fresh, crunchy and fun.
Does Vietnam Palace do takeout for banh xeo?
Yes. You can order banh xeo for takeout by calling (613) 232-8666. Because the crepe is crispiest fresh, we recommend eating it soon after pickup for the best texture.
What’s the difference between banh xeo and a regular pancake?
Unlike a sweet breakfast pancake, banh xeo is a savoury, thin, crispy rice-flour crepe coloured yellow with turmeric and filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts. It’s eaten with herbs and dipping sauce, not syrup.
Is banh xeo spicy?
The crepe itself isn’t spicy. The heat comes from the nuoc cham dipping sauce and any fresh chili you add, so you can control the spice level to your taste.
Order or Reserve at Vietnam Palace
Ready to taste the real thing? View our full menu, call us at (613) 232-8666, or book a table online. Vietnam Palace has been serving Ottawa’s Chinatown from 623 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5K5 since 1989 — walk in, take out, or reserve for your group.