Bánh tráng trộn

Bánh tráng trộn (meaning mixed rice paper or rice paper salad in Vietnamese), is a popular Vietnamese street food made of rice paper mixing with a varieties of other ingredients. Originated as a snack for school students, bánh tráng trộn has since gained popularity in all over Vietnam and with oversea Vietnamese communities.

Ingredients and variations
Ingredients of bánh tráng trộn are varied regions by regions, but the core ingredients typically include rice paper strips/cuts, seasoned salt, chili powder, dried shrimp, flavoring oils and seasoned fried onions. Other popular ingredients are dried beef jerky strips, minced green mango, peanuts, fresh mint, basil, soft quail eggs and many kinds of sauces.

Bánh tráng trộn is known as a satisfying and enjoyable snack due to its many unique regional combinations of textures. The chewy rice paper mix is a combination of sour, sweet, nutty, spicy and richness and can be further enhanced by the addition of fresh herbs and dressings. Some chefs even offer prepackaged Vietnamese rice paper salad kits, which include most of the necessary ingredients for the dish. In Vietnam, the dish is often served by street vendors in plastic bags or box, along with a set of chopsticks for easy consumption.

In Vietnam culture
Bánh tráng trộn is often considered as one of symbols of Vietnamese street food culture, particularly in Southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. The dish gains international exposure and can now be found in various countries around the world, such as Australia and the United States. In 2021, Miss Grand winner Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien chose bánh tráng trộn as the representative food of Vietnam during her Miss Grand International pageant audition. Andrew Zimmern, a celebrity chef, has called bánh tráng trộn "Vietnam in a bag".