Bánh Cuốn is a beloved Vietnamese breakfast made with delicate steamed rice rolls wrapped around a savory filling and served with fresh herbs and a flavorful dipping sauce. This halal-friendly version uses seasoned beef mince instead of pork while keeping the traditional texture and taste that make this dish so popular.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a light yet satisfying meal, these homemade Vietnamese rice rolls are a fantastic choice. The silky rice sheets pair beautifully with the juicy beef filling, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs. They’re naturally gluten-free when made with rice flour, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner, and surprisingly fun to make at home.

Ingredients

Traditional Vietnamese beef rice rolls plated with cucumber, pickled carrots, bean sprouts, and fresh mint. — Freshly made Bánh Cuốn with classic Vietnamese accompaniments.

For the Rice Batter

1 package bánh cuốn flour
1 liter water
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cooking oil
Extra cooking oil for greasing the pan

For the Filling

200 g halal beef mince
50 g wood ear mushrooms, finely chopped
80 g dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and finely chopped
150 g jicama, julienned
1/2 onion, finely chopped
3 spring onions, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 shallots, finely chopped

Filling Seasoning

1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon halal fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (halal)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Garnishes

Lettuce leaves
Fresh mint
Vietnamese coriander
Fresh coriander
Bean sprouts
Julienned cucumber

Optional Toppings

Crispy fried onions
Pickled carrots and daikon
Halal Vietnamese beef loaf, thinly sliced
Crispy shrimp fritters

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the bánh cuốn flour, salt, and water until smooth. Stir in the cooking oil and let the batter rest for at least 15 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cooking oil, then sauté the onions and shallots for about 3 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic and spring onions and cook for another minute.
Add the julienned jicama and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
Add the beef mince, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. Season with oyster sauce, halal fish sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon powder, pepper, and sesame oil. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the mixture is dry. Allow the filling to cool.
Lightly grease a non-stick skillet and another serving plate with oil.
Pour about ¼ cup of batter into the hot skillet and quickly swirl to coat the base evenly with a very thin layer.
Cover with a lid and steam for 20–30 seconds until the rice sheet becomes translucent.
Carefully slide the rice sheet onto the oiled plate.
Place 1–2 tablespoons of the beef filling along the center and gently roll the rice sheet into a neat cylinder.
Repeat with the remaining batter and filling.
Serve the Bánh Cuốn immediately with fresh herbs, cucumber, pickled vegetables, fried onions, and Vietnamese dipping sauce.

Homemade Bánh Cuốn filled with seasoned beef, mushrooms, and fresh herbs served with Vietnamese dipping sauce. — Soft and delicate homemade Bánh Cuốn with savory beef filling.

Tips & Tricks

Allowing the batter to rest creates softer and more elastic rice rolls.
Always grease the pan lightly between each batch.
Keep the heat at medium to avoid overcooking the delicate rice sheets.
Cover the pan while steaming to create an even texture.
Prepare all garnishes before cooking since the rolls are best served fresh.
A non-stick skillet makes rolling much easier.

Details

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 servings

Category: Breakfast

Method: Pan Steamed

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Difficulty: Intermediate

Dietary Notes: Halal-Friendly, Dairy-Free

Delicate Vietnamese rice rolls topped with crispy fried onions and served alongside fresh vegetables. — Authentic Vietnamese rice rolls served with fresh herbs.

Notes

You can substitute chicken mince for beef if preferred.
Add finely chopped carrots for extra sweetness.
Serve alongside Vietnamese iced coffee for an authentic breakfast.
Leftover filling also makes an excellent fried rice ingredient.

Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 395
Protein: 24g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fat: 17g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 640mg

FAQ

What is Bánh Cuốn?

Bánh Cuốn is a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of thin steamed rice sheets wrapped around a savory filling and served with herbs and dipping sauce.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes. Refrigerate the batter for up to 24 hours and stir well before using.

Why are my rice rolls tearing?

The batter may be too thin or the rice sheet may not have steamed long enough. Let it cook until translucent before removing.

Can I freeze Bánh Cuốn?

Yes. Freeze the cooked rolls in a single layer before transferring them to freezer bags.

What dipping sauce goes best?

Traditional Vietnamese Nước Chấm made with halal fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, chili, sugar, and water pairs perfectly.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Steam for 5–7 minutes or microwave gently with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

Authentic Bánh Cuốn with soft steamed rice sheets wrapped around savory beef filling and garnished with herbs. — Traditional steamed rice rolls perfect for breakfast or brunch.

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