A dish of bánh tráng trộn

Bánh tráng trộn (meaning mixed rice paper or rice paper salad^[1] in Vietnamese), is a popular Vietnamese street food made of rice paper mixing with a varieties of other ingredients. Originated as a snack for school students, bánh tráng trộn has since gained popularity in all over Vietnam and with oversea Vietnamese communities.^[2][3][4][5]

Ingredients and variations

A food vendor selling bánh tráng trộn in Vietnam

Ingredients of bánh tráng trộn are varied regions by regions, but the core ingredients typically include rice paper strips/cuts, seasoned salt, chili powder, dried shrimp, flavoring oils and seasoned fried onions.^[6][7] Other popular ingredients are dried beef jerky strips, minced green mango, peanuts, fresh mint, basil, soft quail eggs and many kinds of sauces.^[8][6][9][1]

Bánh tráng trộn is known as a satisfying and enjoyable snack due to its many unique regional combinations of textures.^{[10][11][9][6][12]} The chewy rice paper mix is a combination of sour, sweet, nutty, spicy and richness and can be further enhanced by the addition of fresh herbs and dressings.^[13][12] Some chefs even offer prepackaged Vietnamese rice paper salad kits, which include most of the necessary ingredients for the dish.^[14] In Vietnam, the dish is often served by street vendors in plastic bags or box, along with a set of chopsticks for easy consumption.^[15][16]

In Vietnam culture

Bánh tráng trộn is often considered as one of symbols of Vietnamese street food culture, particularly in Southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City.^[12] The dish gains international exposure and can now be found in various countries around the world, such as Australia and the United States.^[17] In 2021, Miss Grand winner Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien chose bánh tráng trộn as the representative food of Vietnam during her Miss Grand International pageant audition.^[18] Andrew Zimmern, a celebrity chef, has called bánh tráng trộn "Vietnam in a bag".^[1]

References