2 Ways to Make Delicious, Crispy, and Authentic Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepes at Home

Savory crepes are a simple yet very appealing and delicious dish. Each region has its own way of making them. Today, Dien May XANH will guide you through 2 ways to make Northern-style savory crepes to treat your family on weekends. Let’s get started!

1. Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe with Shiitake Mushrooms

• Preparation

  40 minutes

• Cooking

  20 minutes

• Difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients for Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe with Shiitake Mushrooms (Serves 6)

Coconut flavored crepe batter 500 gr
Ground pork 500 gr
Shrimp 500 gr
Chicken eggs 2
Shiitake mushrooms 50 gr
Carrot 1
Bean sprouts 200 gr
Onion 1
Scallions 50 gr
Shallots 4
Chili peppers 2
Garlic 1 clove
Limes 2
Turmeric powder 1/3 tsp
Beer 100 ml
Vinegar 2 tsp
Cooking oil
Fish sauce 4 tbsp
Common seasonings (salt/sugar/pepper/seasoning powder/MSG)

Equipment

How to choose good quality shiitake mushrooms

• For dried shiitake mushrooms: Choose mushrooms that are not broken and have a light brown cap. Avoid buying mushrooms with a strange smell or white mold.
• For fresh shiitake mushrooms: Buy mushrooms that are not bruised and are medium-sized. Prioritize mushrooms with a tightly closed cap and a yellowish-brown color. Also, choose mushrooms with a natural, characteristic aroma.

Instructions for Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe with Shiitake Mushrooms

• 1
  

  Mix the crepe batter

  Combine 500gr coconut flavored crepe batter, 100ml beer, 1 tsp salt, 1/3 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp MSG, 2 eggs, 50gr chopped scallions, and 450ml water.

  Whisk the mixture until the batter is completely dissolved.

• 2
  

  Prepare the filling

  First, wash the shrimp, peel, and devein.

  Then, peel and slice the onion. Soak 50gr shiitake mushrooms until softened, rinse with clean water, and chop.

  Next, peel and mince the garlic and shallots. Peel, wash, and shred the carrot, reserving some for slicing into rounds for the dipping sauce.

  Tip for quickly softening shiitake mushrooms:

  • For dried shiitake: soak in water for 1-2 hours, then rinse with clean water and drain before cooking. To soften them faster, soak in warm water (60-80°C) for 6-7 minutes.
  • For fresh shiitake: soak in warm water for 1-2 minutes to remove dirt and sawdust.

  See details:

• 3
  

  Stir-fry the filling

  Heat some cooking oil in a pan and sauté the minced shallots until fragrant.

  Add shrimp and pork to the pan with 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp MSG, 1/3 tsp salt, and 1 tsp fish sauce. Stir-fry over medium heat until cooked through.

  Add the onion, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms and continue stir-frying until the vegetables are cooked.

• 4
  

  Cook the crepe

  Heat a new pan with some cooking oil. Once hot, pour in a small amount of batter and swirl to coat the pan thinly.

  Add the filling on top of the batter, spread evenly, and top with some bean sprouts. Fold the crepe in half. Cook over low heat until both sides are golden brown and crispy.

  Tip: The less batter you use and the thinner it is, the crispier the crepe will be.

• 5
  

  Make the dipping sauce

  In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp fish sauce, 6 tbsp water, 1/4 tsp MSG, 5 tsp sugar, the juice of 2 limes, 2 tsp vinegar, some pepper, sliced carrots, and some minced garlic and chili.

  Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Adjust seasoning or add more chili to taste.

• 6
  

  Finished product

  The Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe with Shiitake Mushrooms has a crispy crust, a light aroma, and is served with a savory and fatty shrimp and pork filling and sweet vegetables. Dipped in the sweet, sour, and spicy fish sauce, it’s incredibly delicious.

2. Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe

• Preparation

  1 hour

• Cooking

  20 minutes

• Difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients for Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe (Serves 6)

Crepe batter 500 gr
Crispy frying flour 100 gr
Shrimp 500 gr
Pork shoulder 500 gr
Coconut milk 100 ml
Lime 1
Fresh herbs 200 gr (lettuce/mustard greens/aromatic herbs)
Garlic 2 cloves
Chili peppers 2
Shallots 4
Beer 500 ml
Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Fish sauce 2 tbsp
Scallions
Common seasonings (sugar/salt/pepper/seasoning powder)

Equipment

Ingredient Image

Instructions for Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe

• 1
  

  Prepare the ingredients

  First, wash, peel, and devein the shrimp, then marinate with 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp seasoning powder, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp sugar.

  Wash and thinly slice the pork, then marinate with 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp seasoning powder, and 1 tsp pepper.

  Wash the chili peppers and 2 peeled garlic cloves, then mince. Peel, wash, and mince the shallots.

  Wash and chop the scallions. Remove any damaged or bruised parts from the bean sprouts and fresh herbs, then wash and drain.

• 2
  

  Mix the batter

  Combine 500gr crepe batter and 100gr crispy frying flour in a bowl. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, chopped scallions, 500ml water, 500ml beer, and 100ml coconut milk. Whisk well until the batter is dissolved.

  Let the batter rest for 1 hour.

• 3
  

  Make the dipping sauce

  Combine the minced garlic and chili with 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp water. Mix well until the sugar dissolves.

  Adjust the seasoning to your liking.

• 4
  

  Stir-fry the ingredients

  Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a pan. Once hot, sauté the minced shallots until fragrant, then add the marinated shrimp and cook until done.

  Remove the cooked shrimp and set aside. Stir-fry the pork in the same way.

• 5
  

  Cook the crepe

  Heat a non-stick pan. Lightly brush with oil. Once hot, pour a thin layer of batter, swirling to coat the pan evenly.

  Add the cooked shrimp, pork, and a sufficient amount of bean sprouts. Cook over medium heat until the edges of the crepe turn golden brown, then fold in half. Brush with a little more oil and cook both sides until golden brown and crispy.

• 6
  

  Finished product

  The Northern Vietnamese Savory Crepe, with its appealing golden color and enticing aroma, is now ready. The crispy crust and delicious filling will surely captivate you.

  Serve with lettuce, mustard greens, and fresh herbs for a more flavorful and less greasy dish.

How to choose fresh shrimp

• Choose shrimp with translucent legs that are firmly attached to the body, as this indicates freshness. Avoid shrimp with discolored or loose legs.
• Look for shrimp with a slightly curved body, firm flesh, intact shell, and head firmly attached to the body.
• Do not buy shrimp with a fanned-out tail, loose body, missing tail fin, or tail that doesn’t fold neatly, as these may be signs of older shrimp or shrimp treated with preservatives.

How to choose fresh pork

• Buy pork that is bright red or dark red, glossy, with a dry outer membrane and even texture.
• Choose pork that is firm and elastic to the touch and has a natural pork aroma.
• Avoid pork that is dark red or pale and watery, as this indicates spoilage.
• Also, avoid pork with a foul odor, mushy texture, or lack of elasticity, as it may be spoiled and harmful to your health.
• You can use ground pork or thinly sliced pork shoulder for better savory crepes.

Where to buy crepe batter

• You can easily find crepe batter at Bach Hoa XANH, grocery stores, markets, or supermarkets near you. You can also order online via bachhoaxanh.com.
• The price for a package of crepe batter ranges from 10,000 VND/150gr package to 38,000 VND/1kg package (Prices updated as of November 2021).

Tips for keeping crepes crispy

• Use the correct amount of water when mixing the batter. Too much water will result in soft, non-crispy crepes.
• The thinner the batter and the longer the cooking time, the crispier the crepes will be. However, you need to flip them frequently to prevent burning.
• After frying, place the crepes on paper towels or a wire rack to cool and prevent them from becoming soggy from trapped steam.

Tips for storing crepes

If the crepes are filled with shrimp and pork, consume them within 1-2 days. Reheat them in a pan before serving.

Dien May XANH has just shown you 2 ways to make beautiful and appealing savory crepes. Quickly jot down the recipe to make this dish for your family! We wish you success.

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