Bánh bao bánh vạc

Bánh bao bánh vạc are a regional specialty of Vietnamese cuisine peculiar to Hội An. The rice paper is translucent and wrapped to resemble a flower shape . Said to be made with water from a certain well in Hội An, this dumpling is not found anywhere else. The filling is prepared with a mix of shrimp, mushrooms, bean sprouts and spring onions. The dough is made by mixing rice flour with water and pounding the mixture in a mortar. The preparation of the dough is rumored to be a family secret. The full meal banh bao ban vac consists of seven bao style dumplings filled with shrimp paste, and three shell-shaped vac dumplings filled with shredded vegetables. The finished dish is topped with fried shallots and served with nước mắm chấm .