Banh Duc Bac is a distinctive Vietnamese dish that you can't miss when visiting San Francisco. Below are our recommended places to enjoy this dish. These are our favorite places to enjoy Banh Duc Bac in San Francisco. Come and experience the authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine!
Bắc Việt top-pick
Bac Viet, as a Northern Vietnamese restaurant, is the most likely place in San Francisco to have Banh Duc Bac on the menu. When available, their version is excellent — the rice cake is made fresh, with the perfect jelly-like consistency that's firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to yield to the tooth. The topping of ground pork, wood ear mushrooms, and fried shallots is savory and aromatic, and the mixed fish sauce is balanced and bright. It's served warm with fresh herbs and cucumber slices. Call ahead to check availability — it's not always on the menu.
Yummy Vietnamese Restaurant best-value
Yummy Vietnamese occasionally features Banh Duc Bac as a special, particularly on weekends. Their version is more rustic — a slightly denser rice cake with a generous topping of seasoned pork and crispy shallots. The fish sauce is on the sweeter side, which works well with the savory cake. It's not as refined as Bac Viet's version, but it's satisfying and authentic.
Little Vietnam Cafe hidden-gem
Little Vietnam Cafe is another spot where Banh Duc Bac sometimes appears on the menu. Their version features a well-textured rice cake topped with a savory minced pork and mushroom mixture, crispy shallots, and fresh herbs. The dish comes with a side of their house fish sauce and fresh lettuce for wrapping. As with all Banh Duc Bac in San Francisco, it's worth checking before you go — this is a dish that follows the seasons and the chef's inspiration.