Banh xeo is a famous dish in all provinces of the Southwest. The golden, crispy cakes captivate visitors from far away.

However, the pancake dish in Cam Mountain (Tinh Bien, An Giang) is different because it is eaten with about 40 types of wild vegetables, many of which can only grow naturally in the forest, depending on the weather, so they are also considered "heaven-sent" vegetables.

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Wild vegetable pancakes are a specialty of Cam Mountain, An Giang. Photo: Duong Viet Anh

On the way to the top of Cam Mountain, visitors can come across many stalls selling banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes with wild vegetables). On the dining table, the stall owners place large, fresh plates of vegetables, with dozens of different types of vegetables. Some stalls even set up large tables, covered with young vegetables, looking very appealing.

Ms. Tuong Vy, owner of the Huy Hoang pancake restaurant, which is very popular on the top of Cam Mountain, said that the pancakes here are served with about 40 different types of wild vegetables. Even if a customer only orders one serving, the staff still serves a large plate of vegetables of all kinds. After the customer finishes eating, they can go to the table and choose their favorite vegetables to eat more, completely free of charge.

"Each type has its own flavor, sour, astringent, bitter... many types are traditional medicines that are good for health. When combined together, they bring a unique, delicious flavor to the pancake," said Ms. Vy.

Baskets of wild vegetables are prepared to serve diners eating banh xeo. Photo: Duong Viet Anh

Cam Mountain is located in An Hao Commune, Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province with an altitude of about 710m above sea level, also known as Thien Cam Son, more than 250km from Ho Chi Minh City. This is the highest mountain of That Son, a unique and special mountainous area not only of An Giang, but also of the whole Mekong Delta.

The cool climate and soil conditions make this area a place to grow many types of wild vegetables that are both fresh, have unique flavors and are good for health.

The most prominent vegetable on the vegetable plate served with Banh Xeo Nui Cam is wild perilla with its eye-catching bright red, slightly purple color. The vegetable has a slightly sour taste, helping to reduce the richness of the dish.

According to Ms. Vy, another vegetable that creates a distinctive aroma for banh xeo is sassafras. This vegetable usually grows in damp, cool climates and has a similar shape to basil leaves. The leaves have a natural, pleasant aroma.

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Ms. Vy introduces wild vegetable pancakes to diners. Photo: Duong Viet Anh

Another indispensable type is Garcinia leaves with a sour, cool taste and strong aroma, helping to stimulate the taste buds.

In the plate of wild vegetables there are also royal poinciana, orchid, fig shoots, mango shoots, Chinese clematis, Chinese coriander, Chinese clematis, Chinese clematis...

"Normally, each kilogram of wild vegetables costs from 20,000 VND. During the rainy season, the vegetables will be younger and tastier. Many types are only delicious when picked in the forest, but do not have that flavor when grown in the home garden," said Ms. Vy.

The way to make banh xeo here is similar to other Western regions. The batter is made from rice flour, turmeric powder, coconut milk, and eggs.

The batter is poured into large, deep, hot cast iron pans. The chef rotates the pan so that the batter spreads evenly, not too thick or too thin. The crust when cooked must be a beautiful golden color and crispy.

The filling includes minced meat, shrimp, bean sprouts, water mimosa flowers, and cassava. Each experienced chef at the restaurant can make 12-14 pans of banh xeo at a time.

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The pancake is quite large, with a thin, crispy edge that melts in your mouth. Photo: Duong Viet Anh
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The cake served to customers must be still hot. Photo: Duong Viet Anh

"The dipping sauce is also the soul of this dish. I usually mix a sweet and sour dipping sauce from fish sauce, sugar, lemon, garlic, chili, radish and carrots," said Ms. Vy.

Crispy pancakes, lots of fillings, served with sour, astringent, and bitter vegetables, then dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce will satisfy even the most demanding diners. Each vegetarian pancake costs 15,000 VND, and the savory pancake costs 25,000 VND.

"When climbing to the top of a high mountain, maybe because of fatigue, hunger and the fresh climate here, the banh xeo becomes even more delicious," said Mr. Duong Viet Anh, a tour guide at Cam Mountain.

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The busiest time for banh xeo rau rung restaurants is from January to April of the lunar calendar every year. Photo: Duong Viet Anh

Cam Mountain has historical and religious relics, along with a diverse and rich forest ecosystem, unique and attractive natural landscape. Cam Mountain tourist and pilgrimage area is shaped into an important tourist route of An Giang.

The image of a foreign guy quickly grilling grilled spring rolls and enthusiastically serving banh xeo at a sidewalk restaurant on Phan Dinh Phung Street (Ba Dinh, Hanoi) is attracting attention.