Bánh khọt — miniature crispy Vietnamese cups filled with shrimp and topped with scallion oil — is a rarity in Philadelphia. Most restaurants serve bánh xèo instead, but a couple of spots offer these bite-sized cousins or something very close.
Gabriella's Vietnam top-pick
Gabriella's Vietnam is the best bet for banh khot in Philadelphia. Their menu includes open-faced water fern dumplings (banh beo) which share the same small-plate, steamed-cup DNA as banh khot, and their savory crepe (banh xeo) program means they understand the crispy-batter craft. Call ahead to check if banh khot is available — their menu rotates seasonally.
Vietnam Restaurant best-value
Vietnam Restaurant's sprawling 40-year-old menu includes small appetizer plates that occasionally feature banh khot or similar items. Their crispy crepe is the gateway, and the kitchen has the skill to execute these delicate mini-pancakes when they appear on the menu. The dim, wood-paneled Chinatown institution is always worth checking.
Nam Phuong hidden-gem
Nam Phuong's enormous menu spans the full breadth of Vietnamese cuisine, and their Vietnamese crepe (banh xeo) is the closest regular menu item to banh khot. While dedicated banh khot isn't always listed, their kitchen can produce it when requested. The Little Saigon setting means the kitchen staff knows the dish even if it's not on the printed menu.nnBanh khot may be the smaller cousin of banh xeo, but these crispy bite-sized cups are worth the extra asking. Philadelphia's Vietnamese kitchens that know banh xeo know banh khot — sometimes you just have to ask.