Best Banh Xeo in Da Nang: Where Locals Send You

What makes Da Nang "banh xeo" different

"[Banh xeo](/posts/banh-xeo-vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)-sizzling-pancake)" — the sizzling yellow crepe — arrives thinner and crispier here than in Saigon or Can Tho. The turmeric-to-flour ratio is lighter, the edges almost lace-like when done right, and the fillings lean toward shrimp and pork belly without the dense beansprout load of southern versions. The dipping sauce tends toward fish sauce with a touch more lime and fewer chilis. It's a Central Vietnam thing, not always obvious to visitors ordering blindly at tourist-heavy spots.

Banh Xeo 48B Hang Luoc

This is the spot Da Nang locals will name-check first. Tucked on a narrow side street in District 1 (48B Hang Luoc), it opens at 6:30 a.m. and sells out by 11 a.m. on weekends. One pancake costs 25,000 VND; two with extras (shrimp, squid, extra filling) run 50,000–60,000 VND. The owner, Mrs. Huong, has been making them the same way for 22 years—no shortcuts, no batch-cooking. Each pancake is made to order. The shrimp is whole and snappy; the pork belly is rendered just enough. Order with the rice-paper wraps and herbs on the side; the lettuce here is fresh enough to eat raw.

Go early. The line forms by 7:30 a.m., and by 10 a.m., you're watching people leave empty-handed.

Banh Xeo Ba Duong (Nguyen Hue branch)

This place is less of a secret, but it's reliable and open longer than most (6 a.m. to 2 p.m., then 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Located on Nguyen Hue Street, near the Saigon Tourane Hotel, it's easier to find than Hang Luoc and draws a mix of locals and expats who've figured out Da Nang (다낭 / 岘港 / ダナン)'s food scene. Pancakes here are 20,000–25,000 VND, and they'll cook extra if you ask. The filling is generous without being sloppy; the crispy-to-chewy ratio is fair. Service is fast, no-frills table seating.

Come between 7 and 9 a.m. for the morning rush (when the batter is freshest) or after 4:30 p.m. if you want lunch without crowds.

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Banh Xeo 40 Tran Cao Van

Smaller operation, one woman and a cramped kitchen, but this is where some Da Nang food writers eat. Tran Cao Van is in the old quarter, walking distance from the Han Market. Pancakes run 22,000–28,000 VND depending on fillings. The turmeric here is heavier than the other two spots—closer to a Hoi An style—which appeals to people who prefer earthier, less delicate crepes. She also makes a squid-and-shrimp variant that's unusual and worth ordering if available.

Hours are strict: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., no exceptions. Closed Mondays.

Banh Xeo at Han Market (multiple vendors)

If you're already exploring Han Market (Cho Han) in the morning, there are two or three banh xeo (반세오 / 越南煎饼 / バインセオ) stalls inside the market proper, near the prepared-food section. Not as polished as the dedicated shops, but prices drop to 15,000–18,000 VND, and locals doing their morning shopping eat there standing up. Quality is uneven—some days crispy, some days soft—but the experience is genuine. You're eating where construction workers and grandmothers eat.

Photo by Kirandeep Singh Walia on Pexels

How to order and eat

Point at the pancake. Say "mot" (one) or "hai" (two). If you want extra shrimp or squid, say "them tom" (add shrimp) or "them muc" (add squid). Most vendors don't have menus; they assume you know the deal.

When it arrives, tear off a piece, wrap it in rice paper or lettuce, add herbs (mint, coriander, dill—grab what's in front of you), dip in fish sauce, and eat in two bites. The pancake cools fast. Eat it hot.

What to avoid

Don't order banh xeo at tourist restaurants or hotels. The crepes will be thick, oily, and over-filled—more like a Vietnamese crepe at a cooking class than the real thing. Stick to the standalone spots and the market.

Some vendors also serve "banh xeo" at dinner, but they're often leftovers from lunch kept warm. Morning and early afternoon are the only times banh xeo is worth your money here.

Practical notes

Cost is 15,000–28,000 VND per pancake depending on location and fillings. Most dedicated shops close by 11 a.m., so come early. Bring cash; card readers are rare. All of these spots are in District 1, within walking distance or a 20,000 VND taxi ride from each other. Pick one, eat there, and ask where locals go next.