Bep Me In Bahn Xeo

Bánh Xèo is a type of Vietnamese crepe, which marries the crunch of its crispy yellow shell with the freshness of its fillings. Wanting to eat a good version of Banh Xeo, I made my way to Bep Me In (a Michelin Bib Gourmand rated eatery) located on Le Thanh Ton in Ho Chi Minh City. It is tucked away in an alley near the bustling Ben Thanh Market at District 1. Stepping in is like traveling back to Vietnam during the 80s. It is as if you have entered someone’s home (minus the many tourists), while the mother is cooking in the kitchen.

Must try is the Banh Xeo or Vietnamese pancake which comes in two variants: Vietnamese Pancake with Shrimp and Pork (VND139,000) and Vietnamese Seafood Pancake Banh Xeo Hai San (VND239000). The crispy shell is made from rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, which gives it a distinctive yellow hue. I’m not a fan of Viet food - but I get all the raving reviews about banh mi, and discovered there’s so much more depth of the cooking style here. This was an eye opener for me 7.5/10.

In particular the two clinchers for me were the banh xeo and the crispy pork trotters. These were 7.5/10 standouts. The rest of the dishes weighed in above 7/10.

The humble kangkung in garlic was masterfully executed. The meatballs was ok, a tad soft for me. These sauce was bolognese-y, tangy. 7/10

After seeing the next table brimming with joy after ordering the Dau Hu (tofu), I knew I had to order a plate (even though I was already quite full). The tofu came in 2 versions: Fried Tofu with Egg & Sesame Seeds (VND119,000) and Tofu with Mushrooms in Soy Sauce (VND99,000). The outer layer of the tofu was impeccably crispy, while the inside remained astonishingly soft and silky. And that green sauce… vibrant, tangy, slightly spicy, and so refreshing.

You can pair it up with steamed white rice or go a notch up with Fried Rice in Coconut with Shrimp and Egg (VND149,000) served in a coconut shell.

Bep Me In has received acclaim for its dedication to serving honest, flavourful food that captures the essence of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Good to go, especially if you are visiting Ben Thanh Market.