Hue-style steam rice roll with grilled pork (banh uot thit nuong) is a favorite rustic dish for the people of Hue City. With simple ingredients, this dish captivates many diners with its distinctive and unforgettable flavor.
Steam rice pancake, or banh uot, is made from a mixture of rice flour and tapioca starch, steamed into thin layers and served fresh. Unlike rice paper, banh uot is used immediately after steaming, hence its name, which means “wet cake.” Banh uot is only made to order, ensuring that customers enjoy fresh, steaming hot rice rolls.
For the grilled pork, the cook selects pork with a balanced ratio of meat and fat, slices it thinly, marinates it with spices for several hours, and then grills it over charcoal. The grilled pork is also prepared upon request to maintain its tenderness, juicy sweetness, and rich flavor.
To create a complete dish of Hue-style steam rice roll with grilled pork, the cook layers banh uot, adds fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, and grilled pork on top, and gently rolls it all together.
The dish is served with a bowl of dipping sauce made from pure fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili. Diners can also enjoy it with thick soybean sauce topped with finely chopped garlic and crushed peanuts.