By Doan Le

"Banh cam" or "Banh ran" is one of the most famous and beloved Vietnamese sweet treat. A golden brown ball, which is deep fried to satisfy the crispiness on the outside, chewy on the inside and then covered in white sesame seeds. Moreover, the sweetness and moisture of mung bean coconut filling balance the texture and increase the incredible taste of this delicious treat.

"Banh cam" or "Banh ran" is not similar depends on different areas in Vietnam: the South and the North.

“Banh ran” vendor in Hanoi, Vietnam

The North – Banh ran

People in this area often call it "Banh ran", which means fried cake. It has an elegant aroma due to Jasmine essence. You can find two types of “Banh ran” from any Northern vendors: the one with covered sesame and the other has caramel coating.

“Banh cam” in Southern Vietnam

South Vietnam – Banh cam

Different with northern “Banh ran”, people do not add any essence of flower into it and the filling include freshly shredded coconut. The mung bean filling in the South are often mixed with some drops of vanilla extract instead.

Photo credit: internet