Best Bánh Bèo Chén in Chicago

Bánh bèo chén — literally "water fern cake in small bowls" — is a delicate Central Vietnamese specialty thats surprisingly hard to find in most American Vietnamese restaurant scenes. These tiny steamed rice cakes, served in small ceramic or porcelain saucers and topped with dried shrimp, crunchy fried shallots, scallion oil, and a drizzle of sweet-savory fish sauce, are one of the most elegant street foods in Vietnam. In Chicago, theyre a rare treat that rewards the dedicated seeker, with only a handful of restaurants serving them authentically.