Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac is a rustic dish but has the typical features of the old town, likened to a pure "white rose" in the heart of Hoi An. Each cake is made from smooth sticky rice flour, rich shrimp and meat filling, bringing an elegant flavor. If you have the opportunity to visit Hoi An, do not miss the opportunity to discover Hoi An White Rose Banh Bao Banh Vac to fully experience the culinary quintessence of Quang Nam.
Origin of Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac - a famous specialty in the old town
Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac is not only a famous specialty of the old town but is also known to international tourists with the beautiful name "White Rose" - White Rose. According to the story of long-time cake makers, the name "Banh Bao Banh Vac" comes from the shape of the cake. Until one day, when a foreign guest visited Hoi An and enjoyed this cake, he exclaimed "Beautiful white rose!". From there, the name Hoi An White Rose was born and has been passed down to this day.
In terms of origin, Hoi An Banh Vac appeared more than 130 years ago, created by a Chinese family. Through many generations, the secret of making the cake has been preserved, developed and become a dish associated with the typical culinary culture here. Although originating from Chinese dim sum, the flavor of Hoi An Banh Vac Banh Bao has a strong Vietnamese imprint.
The two types of cakes are often eaten together: Banh Bao is round, with the mouth spread out like a blooming rose, while Banh Vac has a smaller shape, thin, clear and slightly chewy dough crust. When enjoying, the pure white cakes are mixed with rich shrimp and meat filling and the typical sweet and sour dipping sauce.
How to make Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac
The secret to making Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac skin
To create the thin, clear and chewy skin typical of Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac, the baker must choose delicious rice with even and firm grains. The rice is soaked thoroughly in water to completely remove sand and chaff, then ground finely. In particular, the water used to grind the flour must be Ba Le well water that is not alum, not salty and pure, helping the crust to have a natural white color, smooth and not turn yellow. After that, the flour is filtered many times (about 15-20 times) to remove the cloudy water, keeping only the fine settled flour. It is this meticulousness that creates the chewy and smooth crust of Hoi An Banh Bao Banh Vac.
How to make fillings
The fillings of Hoi An dumplings and banh vac have distinct differences, creating a unique flavor for each type. The dumpling filling is mainly made from fresh shrimp, then finely ground into patties and seasoned with onions, pepper, and salt to create a rich, delicious flavor. The banh vac filling is more sophisticated when combining many ingredients such as shrimp, minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, green onions, fresh bamboo shoots, and spices. All are mixed well in a large bowl, then stir-fried in a pan to create a fragrant aroma.
How to shape Hoi An dumplings and banh vac
When the dough has been kneaded to the standard, is smooth and not sticky, the maker begins to shape the cakes. The dough is rolled into long strands, then lightly rubbed with a layer of cooking oil on the hands to prevent the dough from sticking. Next, break off each small ball of dough, use your fingers to flatten it, and roll it out into a thin, even crust. Use your thumb to gently press the middle of the dough to create a space, put the prepared filling in the middle, then skillfully fold and pinch the edges to cover it. Each cake is delicately shaped, evenly, and looks beautiful like small flowers. After shaping, place the cake in a steamer, steam for about 10-15 minutes until the cake becomes clear and smooth. When the cake is cooked, place it on a plate, sprinkle with fried onions until golden brown and you can enjoy it right away.
Which restaurant is good for Banh Bao Banh Vac in Hoi An?
Bong Hong Trang Restaurant - The place to enjoy authentic Banh Bao Banh Vac in Hoi An
- Address: 533 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An
- Opening hours: 07:00 - 22:00.
- Reference price: 75,000 - 100,000 VND
When mentioning delicious Banh Bao Banh Vac restaurants in Hoi An, you cannot miss Bong Hong Trang Restaurant, which is considered the "cradle" of this famous dish. This is the most famous address specializing in serving authentic Banh Vac in Hoi An, attracting a large number of tourists. From the stage of choosing rice ingredients, kneading dough, to making fillings and shaping, all are done meticulously and manually.
In particular, when coming to the restaurant, you can not only enjoy the traditional flavor but also directly observe the cake making process performed by artisans. The cozy space of the restaurant, the friendly and attentive staff always make visitors feel comfortable. It is the sophistication and quality that has helped Bong Hong Trang become the best place to eat Banh Vac in Hoi An that everyone should try at least once.
Hoi An Market
- Address: 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An
- Reference price: 20,000 - 50,000 VND
Hoi An Market is located right in the center of the old town, at the intersection of busy streets such as Bach Dang, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu, a culinary paradise visited by many tourists. This is an ideal place for you to enjoy rustic Hoi An banh bao banh vac. The Hoi An banh vac here is handmade, the cake crust is soft and chewy, the shrimp and meat filling is rich, when dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, it creates an unforgettable flavor. In addition to banh bao banh vac, Hoi An market is also a place where many famous specialties such as cao lau, Quang noodles, fried wontons, banh beo, corn sweet soup...
Trung Bac Restaurant
- Address: 87 Tran Phu, Hoi An
- Reference price: 50,000 - 110,000 VND
Trung Bac Restaurant is one of the delicious banh bao banh vac restaurants in Hoi An. Although it does not have a long history like Bong Hong Trang restaurant, the quality of the cakes here is still highly appreciated by many diners. Hoi An banh vac at Trung Bac has a thin, soft crust, a moderately fragrant and fatty filling, rich in traditional flavor without being greasy. The restaurant space bears the imprint of the ancient town's architecture, both cozy and luxurious. In addition to banh bao banh vac, Trung Bac Restaurant's menu also includes many other Hoi An specialties that are worth experiencing during your trip to Hoi An.
When traveling to Hoi An, in addition to exploring the unique cuisine, visitors should choose an ideal place to stay for convenient travel. Fivitel Hoi An is one of the highly rated hotels near the center of Hoi An ancient town.
This is a 4-star coastal resort paradise with full modern amenities. Located just a 7-minute walk from Cua Dai beach, Fivitel Hoi An Hotel offers an ideal accommodation space with an outdoor swimming pool, a communal lounge, a luxurious bar and a team of friendly, professional staff. The hotel has 5 floors with 80 rooms, delicately designed and equipped with high-class furniture, giving visitors a feeling of absolute comfort and relaxation during their stay in Hoi An.
Hoi An dumplings and banh vac are traditional dishes imbued with the soul of Hoi An. The special feature of this cake comes not only from its delicate shape like white roses but also from its delicious, harmonious flavor made from familiar, rustic ingredients.
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