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One of the cultural features is the cuisine, with many delicious and unique dishes. Among them, Hanoi's special cakes are an indispensable part of the meals of the capital's residents, as well as meaningful gifts for visitors to Hanoi. In this article, we will introduce to you the 8 oldest special cakes of Hanoi, along with their origins, how to make them, and addresses to buy reputable cakes. Let's discover!
The green rice cake of Hanoi, a culinary symbol, is a delicate mix of young sticky rice and soft mung beans. The natural green color and gentle fragrance add a special allure to the cake. With its mild sweetness, the green rice cake not only satisfies the palate but also serves as a refined gift for any occasion. Its combination with pork roll, chicken, or green bean sweet soup further enhances its flavor.
Among the famous green rice cake brands in Hanoi, Nguyen Ninh, with a history dating back to 1865, is a pride of traditional cuisine. The handmade production process involves finely grinding young sticky rice, combining it with cooked mung beans, and then baking over a charcoal stove, creating an unforgettable flavor.
At 11 Hang Than, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Nguyen Ninh invites diners to enjoy. The price ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per box, depending on size and quantity, a worthy price for a genuine culinary experience.
Thanh Tri rolled cake, a distinctive flavor of Hanoi, stands out from other versions across Vietnam. This dish's highlight is its ultra-thin, translucent, soft wrapper, harmoniously combined with a unique formula of rice flour, water, and salt. The special feature is the absence of meat filling, focusing only on the flavor of the cake and the uniquely blended dipping sauce, made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, chili, and lime juice, offering a unique taste experience.
Originating from Thanh Tri commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, during the Ly dynasty, the dish reflects the simple culinary style of farmers. Today, Thanh Tri rolled cake has become a culinary symbol of Hanoi, attracting a large number of food lovers.
To explore this unique flavor, visit famous rolled cake restaurants in Hanoi such as Ba Hoanh at 66 To Hieu, Cau Giay, Gia An at 25 Thai Phien, Hai Ba Trung, or Phuc Hung at 26B Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem. The price of each portion of Thanh Tri rolled cake ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 VND, depending on the restaurant and the serving size.
West Lake shrimp cake, a culinary pride of Hanoi, harmoniously combines the sweetness of fresh shrimp with a crispy, golden fried batter. Each cake is an artistic creation, with a curved shape, a thin crispy batter layer embracing the fresh shrimp, creating a distinctive culinary symbol. The crispy flavor of the cake combined with the soft sweetness of the shrimp achieves perfect balance. The dipping sauce, made from fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, chili, and lime juice, adds an interesting twist to the dish.
West Lake shrimp cake is not only a delicious dish but also a witness to the history and culture of Hanoi. Originating from the simple combination of field shrimp and rice flour by West Lake fishermen, shrimp cake has become a familiar culinary symbol, attracting numerous diners.
To discover the traditional flavor of West Lake shrimp cake, visit the following addresses:
- West Lake Co Ngu Shrimp Cake: Located at 1 Thanh Nien, Tay Ho, the quaint restaurant by West Lake serves shrimp cake with crispy batter and delicious fresh shrimp.
- Hong Phuc West Lake Shrimp Cake: At 55 Thanh Nien, this restaurant impresses with its delicious, crispy shrimp cakes and a peaceful view of West Lake.
- Tay Ho Shrimp Cake: Located at 55 An Duong, Tay Ho, this restaurant offers traditional shrimp cakes in a spacious setting, with reasonable prices.
Rice balls and floating rice balls, two traditional culinary images of Hanoi, become especially meaningful during the Cold Food Festival (the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month), reflecting the spirit of respect and gratitude to ancestors. They are not only spiritual dishes but also sophisticated gifts for family and friends during the festival.
Rice balls, with their small white appearance containing dark red sugar filling, symbolize sweetness and warmth. When cooked, they are sprinkled with sesame and sesame seeds, creating a rustic flavor from rice, both sweet and chewy.
On the other hand, floating rice balls, larger and round in shape, contain a smooth mung bean filling, cooked with arrowroot powder. Each floating rice ball has a mild sweet taste, a soft and cool sensation, often served with shredded coconut and lotus seeds, bringing a relaxing and gentle experience.
In terms of symbolism, rice balls and floating rice balls represent various images: rice balls symbolize the earth, while floating rice balls represent the moon; alternatively, they signify male and female elements. They are emblems of Hanoi's culinary culture, embodying deep spiritual and cultural values.
To taste traditional rice balls and floating rice balls, you can visit famous locations in Hanoi such as Rice Balls Tau at 11 Hang Hom, Hoan Kiem, Rice Balls Ba Phuong at 52 Hang Chieu, or Rice Balls and Floating Rice Balls Hong Lam at 1A Bat Dan. The price ranges from 10,000 to 30,000 VND per portion, depending on the location and quantity, each place offering a unique experience with these traditional Hanoi treats.
Che Lam cake, a sweet flavor characteristic of Hanoi, is made from a blend of sticky rice, sugar, coconut, and the rich aroma of pandan leaves. The highlight of Che Lam cake is its unique cylindrical shape, cool green color from pandan leaves, combined with a sweet, rich flavor. Enjoying Che Lam cake when cold, cut into thin slices, is an unforgettable culinary experience.
Originating from the North, initially a simple dish of farmers, Che Lam cake has now become one of the famous specialties of Hanoi, winning the hearts of gourmets and becoming an ideal choice for gifts.
To find quality Che Lam cake, you can visit well-known shops in Hanoi such as Hong Lam Che Lam at 1A Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Huong Mai Che Lam at 52 Ly Quoc Su, or Ngoc Son Che Lam at 16 Hang Duong. Prices range from 50,000 to 100,000 VND per stick, depending on size and quality, each shop offering a distinct flavor of Hanoi's Che Lam cake.
Chung cake, a distinctive feature of Vietnamese culinary culture, is an essential item during the Lunar New Year celebration. Made from sticky rice, mung beans, pork, and wrapped in dong leaves, Chung cake has a square shape, symbolizing the earth, blending the sweet flavor of rice with the distinct aroma of dong leaves.
A unique version of Chung cake is the Tranh Khuc Chung cake, originating from Tranh Khuc village, Thanh Tri, Hanoi. The special feature of Tranh Khuc Chung cake is the layer of purple sticky rice on the outside, creating an attractive purple color. Along with the traditional mung bean and pork filling, this cake balances savory and sweet flavors, resulting in a sweeter, softer, and chewier taste than the usual Chung cake.
As a famous specialty of Hanoi, Tranh Khuc Chung cake is highly sought after during the Tet holiday. To purchase this cake, you can refer to reputable shops in Hanoi such as Hong Lam Tranh Khuc Chung at 1A Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Huong Mai Tranh Khuc Chung at 52 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem, or Ngoc Son Tranh Khuc Chung at 16 Hang Duong, Hoan Kiem. The price of each Tranh Khuc Chung cake ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 VND, depending on the serving size and quality.
Banh Khuc, a sweet flavor characteristic of Hanoi, is a fine blend of green rice, mung beans, sesame, and oil. The cake resembles a bun, with a distinctive green outer layer, filled with a mung bean and sesame filling. The sweet and nutty flavor of Banh Khuc, combined with the distinct aroma of green rice, creates a unique culinary experience.
Originating from Northern Vietnam, Banh Khuc is part of the simple culinary culture, closely associated with the life of farmers. Over time, this cake has evolved into a famous specialty of Hanoi, attracting the liking of many and often chosen as a top choice for gifts.
To experience the authentic taste of Banh Khuc, you can visit famous shops in Hanoi. One such place is Banh Khuc Cao Thang, located at 189 Cao Thang, Hai Ba Trung, where you will find the true traditional flavor of Banh Khuc.
Banh Duc of Hanoi, a traditional sweet dish, is a subtle mix of rice flour, sugar, coconut, and turmeric powder. This cake stands out with its rectangular shape, yellow color from turmeric, enticing with its sweet, rich flavor and the intense aroma of turmeric. Banh Duc is usually enjoyed cold, cut into thin slices, offering a cool and pleasant sensation.
Originating from Northern Vietnam, Banh Duc is intimately connected with the rustic life of farmers. Today, Banh Duc has become one of the unique specialties of Hanoi, endearing itself to a wide audience and often chosen as a gift.
To try delicious Banh Duc in Hanoi, you can visit well-known spots such as Banh Duc Co Lan at 16 Hang Than, Ba Dinh, Banh Duc Co Tam at 26 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem, or Banh Duc Co Ha at 24 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem. The price for each serving of Banh Duc ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 VND, depending on the restaurant and the serving size.
You can enjoy these cakes when visiting Hanoi, or buy them as gifts for relatives and friends. They are meaningful presents, rich in flavor and sentiment, reflecting the heart and soul of the capital's people.
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