Golden, crispy, and savory, banh cong (cong cake) is a beloved specialty that captures the warmth and richness of Southern Vietnamese cuisine. In particular, this deep-fried delight is a must-try in Can Tho.

1. Overview of Cong cake

Cong cake is a deep-fried, savory cake that originated from the Khmer community in Southern Vietnam. The name comes from the unique metal mold (cong) used to fry the cake, which is cylindrical with a flat base.

At first glance, cong cake may resemble other fried treats like Vietnamese pancake, but its ingredients and preparations are truly distinctive. The batter is a blend of rice flour, soybean flour, and seasonings, into which a mixture of minced pork, mung beans, and chopped scallions is added. A whole shrimp is placed on top before the mold is submerged in hot oil. The result is a crispy golden cake with a nutty interior and topped with juicy shrimp.

Traditionally, banh cong is served with lettuce, herbs, pickled vegetables, and a tangy-sweet dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili. It can be enjoyed on its own or with vermicelli as a hearty main dish. Humble yet satisfying, banh cong has become a signature dish of the Mekong Delta, especially in Can Tho.

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2. Step-by-step recipe for making Cong cake

Here’s a detailed cong cake recipe:

2.1. Ingredients

200g of minced pork with fat
200g of whole shrimp
100g of whole mung beans
200g of rice flour
50g of crispy frying flour
50g of all-purpose flour
2g of turmeric powder
Greens: lettuce, mint, mustard
Pickled vegetables: 1 white radish, 1 carrot, 1 small taro
Vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, salt, seasoning powder

2.2. Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Clean the shrimp, remove the heads and legs but keep the tails and shells.
Julienne the radish, carrot, and taro.
Soak the mung beans overnight (or for 15-30 minutes in warm water if short on time), rinse, and steam until soft.

Step 2: Season the meat and shrimp

Marinate the minced pork with salt, sugar, pepper, and seasoning powder. Sauté with minced shallots until fragrant.
Season the shrimp lightly with salt, sugar, and seasoning powder.

Step 3: Make the batter

Mix rice flour, frying flour, all-purpose flour, turmeric powder with 180ml of water until smooth and lump-free.

Step 4: Fry the cake

Heat oil in a deep pan.
Preheat the mold in oil to prevent sticking.
Layer in the mold: 2 tbsp of batter → 1 tbsp of cooked pork → 1 tbsp of steamed mung beans → batter → shredded taro → batter and shrimp.
Submerge the mold in hot oil and fry for 5-7 minutes until golden.
Remove the cake from the mold and repeat.

Step 5: Make the pickled vegetables

Soak the julienned radish and carrot in salt water, lightly squeeze, and rinse.
Mix with vinegar and sugar, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to ferment slightly.

Step 6: Make the dipping sauce

In a saucepan, dissolve 100g of sugar, 60ml of fish sauce, and 100ml of water. Simmer briefly and let cool.
Add lime juice, minced garlic, and chili for a sweet-savory-spicy dip.

When fried to perfection, the cong cake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The shrimp is juicy, the mung beans are creamy, and the batter delivers an irresistible crunch, especially when paired with herbs and pickled veggies.

Step-by-step recipe for making Cong cake

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3. Best places to enjoy Cong cake in Can Tho

3.1. Banh Cong Co Ut

Address: 28 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ninh Kieu Ward
Opening hours: 1 PM - 9 PM
Hotline: 0292 2210 758

A long-standing favorite among locals, Banh Cong Co Ut is famous for its consistently crispy cakes, generous fillings, and nostalgic flavors. This eatery offers a clean, casual atmosphere and quick service.

3.2. Banh Cong Hue Vien

Address: 22 De Tham Street, Ninh Kieu Ward
Opening hours: 8 AM - 9:30 PM
Hotline: 0946 173 262

The cong cake at Banh Cong Hue Vien is known for its crispy crust and perfectly seasoned pork-mung bean mix. The menu also includes vermicelli and rice dishes. The staff are attentive and the seating is spacious.

3.3. Banh Cong Ba Ut Lu

Address: 45 Ly Chinh Thang Street, Tan An Ward
Opening hours: 10 AM - 8:30 PM

This eatery is a hidden gem with a loyal following. Banh Cong Ba Ut Lu serves cong cake fresh to order, ensuring each bite is hot and crispy. The mung beans here are especially creamy, and the shrimp are tender.

3.4. Banh Cong Vo Van Kiet

Address: 252 Vo Van Kiet Street, Cai Khe Ward
Opening hours: 10 AM - 8:30 PM
Hotline: 0917 558 771

At Banh Cong Vo Van Kiet, the cong cake is golden and crunchy while the accompanying herbs are fresh and plentiful. It's a popular pick among locals during lunch hours. The seating is casual and the owner is friendly.

3.5. Banh Cong Co 9 Ca Mau

Address: 176 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ninh Kieu Ward
Hotline: 0913 863 926

Although relatively new, Banh Cong Co 9 Ca Mau has earned praise on social media for its flavorful cakes and creative presentations. The shrimp are extra-large, and the cakes are served with both noodles and greens.

*The details in this guide are for reference only and may change over time. If you are planning to visit these eateries in Can Tho, it is recommended that you contact them for the most up-to-date information.

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Cong cake is not just a snack, it’s the taste of the Mekong Delta’s culinary soul. Whether you are a foodie or a first-time visitor to Can Tho, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this comforting cake. From street stalls to family-run eateries, each offers a unique take on the beloved delicacy. So, dig in! You are in for a crunchy, savory treat like no other.

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