Pairing Banh Xeo correctly — a note on Vietnamese iced coffee

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Banh Xeo. I ordered it with Vietnamese iced coffee and the clean and deeply savoury elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. star anise broth in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Vietnamese cuisine shows French colonial influence alongside traditional Southeast Asian techniques. The a Hoi An restaurant is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Banh Xeo with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.