Banh Trang Tron – Vietnamese Rice Paper Salad

Not luxury restaurants, what always makes me curious on every trip to Vietnam is street food. Known as a street food paradise, where even the world’s fast food giants have to sweat to compete, Vietnamese street food is always the top choice for international tourists and locals. One of the favorite dishes, not only of mine but also of many other tourists when coming to Vietnam, is banh trang tron- Vietnamese rice paper salad. 

This is a delicious and refreshing snack that you can find on many streets of Vietnam, especially in Saigon. It’s made of shredded rice paper mixed with various ingredients such as dried shrimp, beef jerky, quail eggs, peanuts, herbs and served in a plastic bag with chopsticks or skewers, and eaten on the go. It’s an ideal choice for beating the tropical heat and satisfying your hunger.

What is Banh trang tron?

Banh trang tron, a beloved street food in Vietnam, is particularly popular among young locals and students. It can be easily found in various spots like markets, sidewalks, parks, or even schools. Usually, vendors have carts or bicycles with enticing displays of all the ingredients needed for this delectable dish. 

The beauty of banh trang tron lies in its customizable nature. You have the freedom to select from a range of toppings, including dried shrimp, beef jerky, quail eggs, peanuts, fresh herbs, spicy chili, tangy kumquat juice, fish sauce, zesty lime juice, sugar, garlic, and more. Once you’ve made your choices, the vendor skillfully tosses everything together in a large bowl until all flavors meld perfectly. Feel free to adjust the dressing and spiciness according to your personal preference.

Once your delectable salad is ready, it is neatly packed either in a plastic bag or a box. The vendor will also provide you with a pair of chopsticks or skewers for convenience. If you prefer, you can even ask for some lettuce leaves to wrap the flavorful mixture. The best part is that bánh tráng trộn is incredibly affordable, typically costing around 10,000 to 20,000 VND (0.5 to 1 USD) per serving.

How to Make Banh Trang Tron at Home?

If you have returned from your trip to Vietnam but still can’t forget banh trang tron, don’t worry. You can still make banh trang tron at home with some simple ingredients that can be found at Asian grocery stores or online.

Ingredients (for about 2 to 5 people)

• 10 sheets of thin rice paper (cut into 1/2 inch strips)
• 1/4 cup of tamarind concentrate
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon of shrimp powder with chili (optional)
• 1 green mango (peeled and julienned)
• 1/4 cup of Vietnamese beef jerky (cut into small pieces)
• 12 quail eggs (boiled and peeled)
• 1/4 cup of roasted peanuts (crushed)
• 2 tablespoons of fried shallots
• A handful of rau ram (Vietnamese coriander) leaves

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the tamarind concentrate, sugar, fish sauce, and shrimp powder until well combined. This is the dressing for the salad.
2. In a large bowl, toss the rice paper strips with half of the dressing until they are slightly softened and coated with the sauce.
3. Add the green mango, beef jerky, quail eggs, crispy shrimp, peanuts, fried shallots, and rau ram to the bowl and toss well to combine everything.
4. Transfer the salad to a large platter or individual plates and drizzle the remaining dressing over it.
5. Enjoy your bánh tráng trộn with chopsticks or your hands.

Tips and Tricks

• You can customize the sugar, fish sauce, and shrimp powder to match your taste. Some prefer it sweeter, saltier, or spicier.
• Additionally, you have the option to include shredded chicken, tofu, dried squid, or fresh herbs like mint or basil in your salad.
• To save any remaining salad, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

I hope you enjoyed this post about banh trang tron and learned something new about Vietnamese cuisine. If you have sharings or any questions, feel free to leave them below. I’d love to hear from you.