Guams

Guams, also known as Gham or Gam, are a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of a savory pancake or crepe. The main ingredients are typically rice flour, turmeric, and coconut milk, which gives the batter a distinctive yellow hue and a slightly sweet, creamy flavor. Small amounts of other ingredients like mung beans or tapioca starch can be added for texture.

The filling of a guam is varied and can include ingredients such as pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and green onions. Some regional variations might incorporate other vegetables or seafood. The pancake is cooked thinly on one side until crispy, then folded over the filling.

Guams are often served as a snack or appetizer, and are frequently accompanied by a dipping sauce, typically a nuoc cham variant with a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes. Fresh herbs like mint and basil are commonly served alongside, allowing diners to customize their experience by wrapping pieces of the guam in lettuce leaves with the herbs. The dish is popular in Vietnam and has gained some recognition in other parts of the world as Vietnamese cuisine has become more widespread.