Bánh lá

Bánh lá, or "leaf cake" in Vietnamese, is a delightful culinary treat. It features a mixture of rice and various fillings wrapped in leaves. Each type of bánh lá boasts its own unique ingredients and preparation methods, rendering them a diverse and delicious component of Vietnamese cuisine.

For instance, bánh bột lọc is a cassava cake filled with shrimp, while bánh dừa consists of glutinous rice mixed with black bean paste, cooked in coconut juice, and wrapped in a coconut leaf. Bánh giò offers pyramid-shaped rice dumplings filled with pork and mushrooms. Bánh ít is available in two forms: bánh ít lá gai, a triangular dumpling wrapped in a ramie leaf, and bánh ít tro, often enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Other notable varieties include bánh nậm, flat rice flour dumplings from Hue, and bánh phu thê, also known as "husband and wife cake" made with rice or tapioca flour, gelatin, and mung bean paste. These cakes are not only delectable treats but also hold cultural significance, often featuring in celebrations such as the Dragon Boat Festival in Vietnamese culture.