TOP 10 VIETNAMESE CAKES FOR SWEET LOVER

Discovering Vietnamese cakes is a pleasant way to get to know the core of Vietnamese cooking. It’s difficult to resist the sweet and cultural experience these cakes offer, with options ranging from inventive modern concoctions to traditional recipes passed down through the years. I will introduce you to the top 10 most exquisite cakes to sample during your travels in Vietnam.

The exquisite combination of flavors and textures found in Vietnamese cakes

The best Vietnamese cakes to fill up on sweetness

1. Bánh Chuối Nướng (Vietnamese banana cake)

Vietnamese banana cake is a beloved traditional dessert that showcases bananas in a variety of delicious ways. Among the many creative variations, the baked banana cake stands out as the most popular. When talking about Vietnamese banana cake, it’s often this baked version that comes to mind. The main components of this Vietnamese cake are mashed bananas, wheat, eggs, sweetened milk, raisins, sesame seeds, and oil. You can guarantee that your taste buds will be delighted by the combination’s harmonious blend of textures and flavours.

Bánh Chuối Nướng – Vietnamese banana cake

Here are some other well-loved types of Vietnamese banana cakes:

–Chuối Hấp (Steamed Banana): A classic treat where ripe bananas are steamed to create a soft and flavorful dessert.

–Chuối Nếp Nướng (Grilled Banana with Sticky Rice): This unique dessert pairs ripe bananas with aromatic sticky rice and is grilled to perfection.

–Chuối Chiên (Fried Banana): Featuring a crispy exterior and a tender interior, fried bananas offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

–Bánh Tét Chuối (Glutinous Rice Cake with Banana): This variation combines glutinous rice with sweet bananas, resulting in a deliciously harmonious and satisfying dessert.

You can visit Sonia’s Bakery, which is the bakery deserves Bánh Chuối Nướng

Address: No. 96/42, Nguyen Van Thuong Street, Binh Thanh District.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Monday to Saturday.

Prices: 30.000 to 80.000 VND (1.2 to 3.2 USD)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoniasBakery/

2. Bánh Bò (Vietnamese honeycomb cake)

Varieties of Vietnamese honeycomb cake include grilled, steamed, and coconut-flavored varieties. The distinctive sponge-like texture of this Vietnamese cake makes it easy to identify. The unique flavour and scent of Banh Bo are created by the use of coconut milk, which is one of its specific ingredients.

Bánh Bò – Vietnamese honeycomb cake

White and somewhat fragrant with rice flour and an unusual yeast aroma, freshly steam banh bo is delicious. Simplicity and delicious flavours are personified in this cake. The popular cake known as Bánh Bò is soft and chewy, tastes excellent, and is quite easy to consume.   

Bánh bò Tân Châu

Address: No. 32, Co Bac Street, District 1.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily

Prices: 60.000 to 100.000 VND (2.4 to 4 USD)

Bánh Bò Nguyễn Sơn

Address: No. 6, Le Tu Tai Street, Phu Nhuan District.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily

Prices: 60.000 to 150.000 VND (2.4 to 6 USD)

3. Bánh Gai (Vietnamese thorn leaf cake)

A classic Vietnamese cake called Bánh Gai is filled with a sweet filling and has a dark dough color. A paste or powder formed from the gai (ramie) leaf, a member of the nettle family, is mixed with rice flour to make the dough.

Bánh gai – Thorn Leaf Cake

Mung beans, shredded coconut, sesame seeds, lotus seeds, sugar, and pig fat are the standard filler ingredients. Optional flavours can be enhanced with ginger, pumpkin jam, or roasted peanuts. Dry banana leaves are used to wrap the cakes before steaming.

Bánh gai, which has its roots in the Red River Delta, was once reserved as a celebratory dessert. The banana leaves aren’t necessary for serving these cakes chilled.

This Vietnamese cake has a beautiful scent, a velvety texture, and a flavour that is a harmonious medley of sweetness, richness, and aroma.

4. Bánh Da Lợn (Vietnamese steamed layer cake)

The southern region is famous for its beloved Bánh Da Lợn, a type of steamed layer cake. No one knows for sure where the first cake came from or who prepared it.

The name “pig skin cake” is supposedly derived from the fact that the cake resembles pig skin due to its shape, which is characterised by several thin and fragile layers.

Bánh Da Lợn – Vietnamese steamed layer cake

The cake gets its name from its unusual shape, which is made up of numerous thin layers of cake that alternate with one another to create lovely colors and patterns that resemble pig skin. The flavor of pig skin cake is sweet, chewy, rich from shredded coconut, and fragrant with pandan leaves.

You may find this dessert in many southern markets or even on street corners. Some restaurants, hotels, and parties also serve it as a dessert.

Quán A Muỗng

Address: No. 270, Vo Van Tan Street, District 3.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily

Prices: 10.000 to 50.000 VND (0.4 to 2 USD)

Bánh Da Lợn Cô Dung

Address: No. 186, Thanh Thai Street, District 10.

Opening Hours: 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM daily

Prices: 12.000 to 30.000 VND (0.48 to 1.2 USD)

Co Dung Vietnamese steamed layer cake food stall

5. Bánh Cốm (Vietnamese green sticky rice cake)

A green dessert called Bánh Cốm is prepared with mung beans and green sticky rice. A sweet mung bean paste is tucked away in the heart of this flawlessly green, gooey square. Due to the association of these little green squares with weddings and other special occasions, this unique treat, which originates from Northern Vietnam, is occasionally referred to as wedding cake.

Bánh Cốm – Vietnamese green sticky rice cake

The cake’s sticky, glutinous exterior texture is achieved through the pounding and processing of a unique variety of green sticky rice. To give the core of the bánh cốm its unique sweet flavour, the mung bean paste within is marinated with sugar, coconut, and grapefruit juice.

Đặc Sản Thanh Phương

Address: No. 86B, Nguyen Thong Street, District 3.

Opening Hour: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily

Prices: 10.000 to 30.000 VND (0.4 to 1.2 USD)

6. Bánh Đậu Xanh (Vietnamese mung bean cake)

Vietnamese mung bean cake is a specialty of the northern countryside that, despite its seeming simplicity, has the precious traditional secrets that distinguish it. Making this Vietnamese cake requires a lot of careful attention to detail. Cake materials including mung beans, sugar, coconut oil, grapefruit blossom essential oil, and fat or cooking oil are hand-picked.

Bánh Đậu Xanh – Vietnamese mung bean cake

To achieve a distinctive and genuine cake flavour, these ingredients are mixed in precise amounts. Every bite of Bánh Đậu Xanh is a celebration of the northern countryside’s culinary heritage, a dish that embodies tradition and meticulous attention to detail.

A cup of green or lotus tea is traditionally served with slices of Bánh Đậu Xanh.

Hương Việt Mart

Address 1: No. 95, Nguyen Thai Binh Street, District 1.

Address 2: No. 156, Thich Quang Duc Street, Phu Nhuan District.

Address 3: No. 236, Nguyen Hong Dao Street, Tan Binh District.

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM from Monday to Sunday. 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday.

Prices: 30.000 to 50.000 VND (1.2 to 2 USD)

In addition, Huong Viet Mart also sells many other specialty cakes

7. Bánh Xu Xê (Vietnamese husband and wife cake)

The traditional Vietnamese cake Bánh Xu Xê, sometimes called Bánh Phu Thê, has been around for quite some time. For special occasions like engagements, this cake flavor is a common sight. It is also served as a dessert at wedding receptions in some regions. Bac Ninh province is where banh xu xe first appeared. After some time had passed and the recipe had been passed down from generation to generation, this location came to be known as the banh phu capital of Vietnam.

Bánh Xu Xê (Vietnamese husband and wife cake)

The red exterior of the cakes or the boxes they come in represent good fortune and happiness for the happy couple on their wedding day. In its delicate form, this Vietnamese wedding cake symbolises the inseparability of husband and wife.

Đặc Sản Thanh Phương

Address: No. 86B, Nguyen Thong Street, District 3.

Opening Hour: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily

Prices: 15.000 to 30.000 VND (0.6 to 1.2 USD)

8. Bánh Tổ (New Year Cake)

On every occasion of Tet, if on the Vietnamese altar there must be Bánh Chưng, Bánh Tét or Bánh Tổ.

Bánh Tổ is a delightful confection crafted from glutinous rice flour, sugar, fresh ginger root, and aromatic roasted white sesame. This Vietnamese cake is elegantly wrapped in tender banana leaves, presenting a modest yet appealing appearance.

Bánh Tổ – New Year Cake

The subtle fragrance of ginger blends harmoniously with the deep flavor of sesame, creating a memorable taste experience. To truly grasp its unique and delightful sweetness, one must try it, as it stands out distinctly from other cakes.

You can buy this cake at the market on Phung Hung Street, District 5, which sells many types of cakes such as pomegranate cake, sugar cake, fortune cake, bustling with buyers and sellers on the days before Tet.

Phung Hung Market in District 5

Address: No. 214, Phung Hung Street, District 5.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday.

Prices: 15.000 VND to 30.000 VND (0.6 to 1.2 USD)

9. Bánh Trôi Nước (Vietnamese glutinous rice balls)

One of the most delicious and distinctive Vietnamese delicacies is Bánh Trôi Nước (Glutinous rice balls), which has its own distinct qualities thanks to its chewy cake, green bean paste within, sweet and fatty coconut milk, and the aroma and spicy flavour of ginger.

Bánh Trôi Nước – Vietnamese glutinous rice balls

A delicious, sweet slurry flavored with fragrant ginger is a common accompaniment. These sweets not only satisfy the taste buds, but they also unite the community in a shared appreciation of heritage and cuisine.

Giò Chả Minh Châu

In addition to Bánh Trôi Nước, Minh Chau food stall also deserves such as Chả Lụa (Vietnamese Pork Roll) and Xôi (Vietnamese Sticky Rice).


Address: No. 76, Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily

Prices:  20.000 to 50.000 VND (0.8 to 2 USD)

10. Bánh Khoai Mì (Vietnamese cassava cake)

Bánh Khoai Mì, also known as Vietnamese cassava cake, is a cherished dish in Vietnamese cuisine, reflecting the enduring importance of cassava for nourishment and health. Making this traditional cake is a detailed process: cassava tubers are boiled and finely grated into a smooth puree.

Bánh Khoai Mì – Vietnamese cassava cake

This puree is then mixed with ingredients such as coconut water, sugar, and a hint of salt. The outcome is a delightful fusion of cassava’s soothing qualities with the luxurious richness of coconut milk.

Bánh Khoai Mì Nướng Cô Châu

Address: No. 220, Le Quang Sung Street, District 6.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

Prices: 8.000 to 21.000 VND (0.32 to 0.84 USD)

Co Chau Vietnamese cassava cake Food stall

Tiệm Bánh Nướng Tít Mít

Address: No. 216A, Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Tan Binh District.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily

Prices: 5.000 to 50.000 VND (0.2 to 2 USD)

Here are some tips for tourists to fully appreciate the diverse and delectable world of Vietnamese cakes:

1. Sample a Variety: Try different types of cakes to experience the range of flavors and textures. Each region in Vietnam has its own specialties, so don’t miss out on regional variations.

2. Visit Local Markets: Explore local markets and street food stalls where you can find authentic and freshly made cakes. Vendors often have a variety of traditional treats that are not available in restaurants. Many markets you can visit are Ben Thanh Market, Tan Dinh Market, Phung Hung Market, and Binh Tay Market.

3. Ask for Recommendations: Seek advice from locals or your tour guide about the best places to enjoy Vietnamese cakes. Locals can point you to hidden gems and lesser-known delicacies.

4. Learn About the Ingredients: Take note of the key ingredients in each cake, such as glutinous rice, coconut, or cassava. Understanding these components can deepen your appreciation of the flavors and textures.

5. Attend Cooking Class: If possible, participate in a cooking class to learn how to make Vietnamese cakes yourself. This hands-on experience can give you a deeper understanding of the preparation process.

6. Consider Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions, inquire about the ingredients beforehand. Many Vietnamese cakes are made with rice or coconut, but it’s always good to check for specific allergens.

Every cake is a representation of the nation’s culinary mastery, adding to the flavor and memorability of your trip. Savor your exploration and let Vietnam’s varied flavors linger on your palate.