• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking with Lane
  • Home
  • Vietnamese Recipes
  • Lao Recipes
  • Thai Recipes
  • About Lane
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vietnamese Recipes
  • Thai Recipes
  • Lao Recipes
  • Meet Lane
  • Shop Ingredients
  • Shop Cooking Tools
  • FREE Resource Library
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » What is the difference between banh cuon and banh uot?

    What is the difference between banh cuon and banh uot?

    Last Updated Date: Dec 13, 2020 | Published: Nov 24, 2019 by Lane Souvannalith

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Email

    Table of Contents

    • Are you wondering what the difference is between banh cuon and banh uot? Look no further, I've delved down into the minute ingredient details so you can determine which dish you prefer!
    • What is the difference between banh cuon and banh uot?
    • What is banh cuon?
    • What is banh uot?
    • What are some other names for banh out and banh cuon?
    • What does banh cuon versus banh uot taste like?
    • What dipping sauce is used for banh cuon versus banh uot?
    • What kind of banh cuon steamer set should I get?
    • Can I make banh cuon without a steamer set?
    • What's the best way to eat banh cuon and banh uot?
    • Summary
    • Other Vietnamese Dishes You May Love

    Are you wondering what the difference is between banh cuon and banh uot? Look no further, I've delved down into the minute ingredient details so you can determine which dish you prefer!

    Vietnamese cuisine among various regions may share the same name for dishes and share the same ingredients, but often there are just a few niche variations that make one region's dish different than the others.

    difference between banh cuon and banh uot

    What is the difference between banh cuon and banh uot?

    While both are Vietnamese rice flour roll dishes, the difference is that banh cuon is usually made of minced grill pork as the main filling whereas banh uot is made of minced ground pork as a filling. 

    Ultimately, both share the similarities of using an opaque rice flour sheet to wrap it's delicious filling that comprises of rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, the pork protein, onions, garlic and sprinkled with fried shallots and garlic, and served on a bed of chopped lettuce, bean sprouts, sliced cucumber, and Vietnamese pork meat loaf.

    What is banh cuon?

    Banh cuon (pronounced baan quoon) is a Vietnamese dish that means a snack that is wrapped, but is often also referred to as rolled cakes. The name in itself refers to the steamed rice sheets. It is made of finely ground rice paper batter that is then steamed and cooked so that the wrapper is translucent and thin.

    The Filling Inside Banh Cuon

    Banh cuon is filled with a marinated grilled pork called thit nuong that is minced into small pieces. It is then usually mixed with wood ear mushrooms, onions which is then wrapped around the steamed rice flour batter into a translucent and opaque wrapper.

    Thit nuong literally means grilled meat. In this case, the grilled meat is a pork that is then minced and added as a filler to banh cuon.

    What is banh uot?

    Banh uot (pronounced baan uot) is a Vietnamese cuisine that literally means wet snack, but is also referred to as a rice crepe or rice pancake. The dish is made with steamed rice sheets that are rolled and filled. It uses the same batter as banh cuon.

    The Filling Inside Banh Uot

    Banh uot is filled with ground pork that is mixed with chopped onions and wood ear mushrooms. It is wrapped around a rice flour batter that is translucent and opaque.

    What are some other names for banh out and banh cuon?

    If you have ever gone into a Vietnamese restaurant, you may find that banh out and banh cuon may be hidden on the recipe menu by other names. If you are wanting to devour some of these rice flour rolls, here are some other monikers you'll find them as:

    • Banh Uot
    • Banh Cuon
    • Banh Uot Thanh Tri
    • Ban Chuon Thanh Tri
    • Rice Sheet Wraps
    • Rice Noodle Roll
    • Rice Flour Pancakes
    • Rice Cakes with Filling
    • Steamed Rice Noodles
    • Vietnamese Rice Cakes

    A rose by any other name is still a rose. And these are some delicious roses! Banh out and banh cuon pretty much are similar. Think of it like a pizza - do you want pepperoni or sausage?

    What does banh cuon versus banh uot taste like?

    Often in western conversation, it is often referred to as a Vietnamese ravioli or Vietnamese pancake. I disagree with this sentiment.

    To me, it can be compared to eating an omelette made with a delicious outside batter that is soft and delicious.

    difference between banh cuon and banh uot pork meat loaf

    What dipping sauce is used for banh cuon versus banh uot?

    For both dishes, there are two main types of dressings that are shared across both cuisines: nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce) and peanut butter dipping sauce (normally eaten with Vietnamese spring rolls).

    Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Sauce for Banh Uot and Banh Cuon

    This is the most popular way to eat banh cuon and banh out is to drizzle it with nuoc mam, which is a Vietnamese sweet and sour fish sauce. It provides a refreshing contrast when eating these light and flavorful crepes. 

    Peanut Dipping Sauce for Banh Uot and Banh Cuon

    Dark brown peanut dipping sauce is the less common way to dress banh uot and banh cuon. Vietnamese peanut sauce recipes are normally based with peanut butter and provide a delicious contrast when eating them with Vietnamese spring rolls. 

    How is banh uot and banh cuon normally served?

    They are normally served with toppings like cucumbers, bean sprouts, julienned cucumbers, Vietnamese pork meat loaf (cha lua), and fried shallots.

    What kind of banh cuon steamer set should I get?

    If you are truly wanting to make banh cuon or banh uot at home and make it authentically, you can purchase this banh cuon steamer set which will definitely take your banh cuon and banh uot to the next level. In general, the wrapper for banh cuon and banh out is made by pouring the rice flour batter over a piece of cloth that has been stretched over a steamer. This allows that rice flour to steam into a paper thin batter that is the perfect texture to roll the filling around.

    difference between banh cuon and banh uot

    Can I make banh cuon without a steamer set?

    Banh cuon and banh uot can definitely be made without a steamer set. Using a non-stick skillet that is brushed with oil, you can pour the batter in and cover it with a lid for 30 seconds before removing the rice flour sheet. Generally, you'll get thicker batter sheet versus using a steamer set.

    I've listed out instructions on how to make banh uot here, which shows you the exact instructions on getting the perfect sheet using just a skillet.

    What's the best way to eat banh cuon and banh uot?

    Banh Uot and banh cuon need to be eated when the sheets are still hot! You should pile blanched muong bean sprouts along with crispy, fried shallots - this ingredient is the BEST to provide the crunchiness to this delicious dish. Finally, add chilled pork meat loaf (yes, I said chilled) because it makes the difference in texture that much more wonderful.

    Summary

    The differences between banh cuon and banh uot are minimal. Banh cuon and banh uot are generally the same Vietnamese dish with the differences in the type of filling. A thin sheet of steamed rice batter noodles rolled up with some amazing fillings dressed with your favorite sauce can make any day a treat! While pho is trending these days, banh uot and banh cuon are some amazing Vietnamese noodle delights that may surpass your ideas of truly the best Vietnamese noodle dish around.

    Other Vietnamese Dishes You May Love

    • Banh Uot Recipe with Premade Fresh Rice Noodle Sheets
    Banh uot and banh cuon


    Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CookingwithLane.com receives a small comission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. CookingwithLane.com is a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


    Are you too intimidated by your local Asian grocery store?

    Let me help you out!  I'll send you a free shopping list to your email inbox that will help you navigate your next visit. 

    Sign up now to open up a whole new world of flavor!

    « Vietnamese Banh Uot – Steamed Rice Rolls Recipe
    Banh Xeo Recipe - Authentic Vietnamese Crepe Pancake »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Lane

    lane souvannalith
    Hi, I'm Lane! I love sharing my love of authentic Vietnamese, Lao, and Thai food! I moved into the states in the 1980s. During my life change, I brought along with my delicious recipes from Vietnam (my descent), Laos (where I was born), and Thailand (where I was a refugee during the war). I'm passionate about showing how anyone can make these delicious cuisines and how you can make it right at home! Learn more ...

    Recipe Search

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Lane
    • Web Stories
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Contact Me

    Recipe Index

    • Asian Desserts
    • Asian Noodles
    • Asian Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Asian Food Comparisons
    • Asian Soups
    • Southeast Asian Rice

    Asian Ingredients

    • Coconut Cream
    • Fish Sauce
    • Kaffir Lemon Leaves
    • Palm Sugar
    • Shallots
    • Sticky Rice

    Copyright © 2021 Cooking with Lane, Sengerson LLC

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Print