Bánh Cam (Southern Vietnamese) or Bánh Rán (Northern Vietnamese) is one of Vietnam’s most popular and enduring sweet treats. Known internationally as “Vietnamese Sesame Balls,” this dessert is a textural masterpiece: crispy and studded with sesame seeds on the outside, delightfully chewy in the middle, and filled with a sweet mung bean paste.
The Basics of Bánh Cam
What is it?
Bánh Cam is a deep-fried spherical pastry made from glutinous rice flour. It is rolled in white sesame seeds and filled with a sweetened paste, traditionally made from mung bean.
The Name Origin:
The term Bánh means “cake” or “pastry.” In the South, Cam means “orange,” referring to the dessert’s round shape and golden-orange color after being deep-fried. The recipe contains no actual orange fruit.
In the North, Rán means “fried,” so Bánh Rán simply means “fried cake.”
The Texture and Flavor Profile:
Exterior: Extremely crispy and crunchy, with a nutty, roasted flavor from the sesame seeds.
Shell: Made from a mix of glutinous rice flour (and sometimes a little regular rice flour or mashed potato/sweet potato to prevent cracking), giving it a pleasant, chewy, mochi-like elasticity.
Filling: A sweet, slightly dense paste made from steamed and mashed mung beans, often scented with vanilla or shredded coconut.
Types and Variations of Bánh Cam
The “types” of this dessert are mostly categorized by filling and topping, which often reflect regional preferences.
| Variation | Main Characteristic | Regional Association |
|---|---|---|
| Bánh Cam | Round, coated entirely in sesame seeds. No syrup, no jasmine essence. Filling may contain coconut. | Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) |
| Bánh Rán | Round, sometimes without sesame seeds. Eaten with a clear, sweet sugar syrup (nước đường). Traditionally scented with jasmine essence. | Northern Vietnam (Hanoi) |
| Bánh Vòng | A variation often sold alongside Bánh Cam. It is a ring-shaped donut (a vòng or "ring") with a hole in the center and no filling. | Southern Vietnam |
| Savory Bánh Rán | The Northern Bánh Rán also has a savory version (Bánh Rán Mặn) filled with minced pork, wood-ear mushrooms, and glass noodles. | Northern Vietnam |
How to Eat Bánh Cam
Bánh Cam is a street food dessert, meant to be eaten as a snack any time of day.
Eat it Hot: Bánh Cam is best enjoyed immediately after being pulled from the fryer when the outer shell is at its crispiest.
Simple Snacking (South): The Southern Bánh Cam is typically enjoyed as is, relying on the natural sweetness of the mung bean filling and the nutty crunch of the sesame seeds. They are often sold alongside other fried pastries at market stalls.
With Syrup (North): The Northern Bánh Rán is traditionally served with a clear, thin sugar syrup (nước đường), which is drizzled over the sesame ball or served on the side for dipping.
Regional Differences: North vs. South
The difference between Bánh Cam (South) and Bánh Rán (North) is a classic example of Vietnam’s regional culinary divergence, particularly in flavor preference.
| Feature | Southern Style (Bánh Cam) | Northern Style (Bánh Rán) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance/Coating | Covered in sesame seeds. Often has a glossy, golden-brown color. | May or may not be covered in sesame seeds. Often served glazed with clear sugar syrup. |
| Filling | Sweet mung bean paste, often includes shredded coconut and/or vanilla for a richer taste. | Sweet mung bean paste, traditionally scented with jasmine flower essence for an aromatic, subtle flavor. |
| Dough | Dough usually contains a mix of glutinous rice flour and regular rice flour (and sometimes mashed sweet potato) for optimal texture. | Dough tends to rely almost entirely on glutinous rice flour. |
| Regional Pairing | Eaten simply as a sweet snack. | Typically eaten with a sugar syrup drizzled over it. Also has a popular savory version (Bánh Rán Mặn). |
| Central Vietnam | The Central regions (e.g., Hue, Hoi An) serve a version very similar to the Southern Bánh Cam—fried, sesame-coated, and mung bean-filled—as a popular street food, reflecting the warmer climate and love for sweet snacks. |