Banh tom (Sweet potato shrimp fritters)

Banh tom is a specialty of Hanoi where the dish is called Banh tom Ho Tay. Ho Tay is the largest lake in Hanoi located in the center of the city where the dish originated. Banh tom needs little preparation if you eat it as a snack. After frying, the julienned orange sweet potatoes get the shape of a bird’s nest. The crispy sweet potato fritters are highly addictive. In Hanoi, this dish is made with a thicker batter, making the nests become more like slices or small pancakes. Eat Banh tom just as a snack with the basic fish dipping sacue Nuoc cham or with sweet chili sauce. Without sauce they are also delicious. Roll with lettuce and garnish with fresh herbs, cucumber and pickled vegetables if you have more time. For a complete meal you can cook rice flakes (Banh uot) as side dish. Finish wtih fresh herbs and dried fried onions.