Bánh khọt — tiny crispy rice flour cups — are like bánh xèo adorable little siblings. Each miniature cup is crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, and topped with a whole shrimp. Finding them in Seattle is a treasure hunt, but a few spots do them exceptionally well.
Tamarind Tree top-pick
Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM
Tamarind Tree banh khot are a crowd-pleaser served as an appetizer with the full lettuce-wrap treatment. The little cups arrive hot from the kitchen with edges that are audibly crispy, and the center is soft and steamy. They came with fresh lettuce, mint, and dipping sauce for wrapping like tiny perfect tacos.
Xóm best-value
Tue-Sun 11AM-9PM
Xom is a newer addition to the Seattle Vietnamese scene, and their banh khot are exceptional. They achieved that ideal thin-crispy-bottom texture with a center that is barely set — almost like a custard. The shrimp on top are sizable and fresh with beautiful plating.
Lotus Pond Vietnamese Cuisine hidden-gem
Daily 10AM-9PM
Lotus Pond banh khot occasionally appears as a special, and when they do, they are worth the trip north. Their chef-driven approach means attention to the right oil temperature for maximum crispiness and the right batter consistency for that custardy center. Call ahead to check availability.