Delicious cakes from Hue

Article and photos:Han Han

When you come to Hue, if you have time, live slowly. Hue is as gentle as the peaceful Perfume River that reflects this small city every day. There are few vehicles in Hue. On the small, tree-filled roads outside the inner city or inside the city, people have the feeling of not wanting to go too fast or startle Hue with the sound of car horns.

Hue is as vast, sweet, gentle and ancient as the old Truong Tien bridge, in the clanging sound of the cyclo that runs over the bridge every day, in the purple of a high school girl. Many people visit Hue because they want to have the most peaceful moments when the noise of life is washed away by worries and busyness... and to enjoy the delicacies in the typical Hue cakes.

At night, the mist has fallen, Hue people invite each other to have a late night snack. In the citadel, there are few people, the delicious banh it and banh nam stalls make people passing by stop to enjoy. The flickering oil lamp hanging on the shoulder pole reminds of a Hue from long ago.

Just like the soul of Hue, the scenery of Hue, the simple cakes are made in their own ways, both simple and sophisticated. Hue people make cakes not to fill their stomachs, but to enjoy the flavor. Each type of cake is a crystallized product from sticky rice flour, shrimp, and meat, all of which are locally available ingredients, creating cakes with Hue's own flavor.

Hue people do not make cakes to fill their stomachs, but to enjoy the flavor. Each type of cake is a crystallized product from sticky rice flour, shrimp, and meat, all of which are locally available ingredients, creating cakes with Hue's own flavor.

There are many types of Hue cakes sold and each shop has its own delicacies. The names of banh ram it, banh beo, banh bot loc, banh khoai, banh nam… just hearing them makes you want to try them, want to see them with your own eyes.

The flour used to make banh ram it, banh beo or banh nam is carefully selected white sticky rice, soaked in just enough water to avoid sourness and then ground finely. Fresh, thin-shelled shrimp have a sweet and fragrant flavor. Each type is processed in a different, elaborate and meticulous way.

Banh Beo

The Banh Beo is made in the shape of a pretty water fern with a mold made of tiny cups. Scoop spoonfuls of thin rice flour into the mold. It looks simple, but to make the Banh Beo evenly cooked, without the flour spilling out, is also an art. Steam for about 5 minutes until the cake is done. Take the cake out and put it on a small tray, sprinkle the yellow shrimp on top and add a small piece of crispy fried pork skin. Banh Beo is served with a sweet dipping sauce with a characteristic shrimp smell. One or two spoonfuls is enough to finish a plate of Banh Beo. Many people can eat dozens of plates without getting bored. The tall stack of bowls on the side is pleasing to the eye.

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Banh Nam

Pure white banh nam with pink shrimp pistil, rectangular in shape, thinly sliced, wrapped in dong leaves and served with shrimp patties. Banh nam is soft, easy to eat and not greasy.

Khoai cake

Banh khoai is more elaborate and somewhat similar to banh xeo. It is made from rice flour, mixed with turmeric powder, eggs, water and spices such as fish sauce and salt, beaten until smooth and thick. The additional ingredients of banh khoai are bean sprouts, pork paste and shrimp. Banh khoai is eaten with raw vegetables including figs, green bananas, sliced star fruit and broth.

Tapioca Cake

There are two types of Banh Bot Loc. The type wrapped in banana leaves or the type made from tapioca starch. The chewy cake comes with the sweet aroma of shrimp and fatty meat. When eaten, it is dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. Both delicious and easy to eat.

Wet Cake

Banh uot is made quite similar to banh cuon in the North. But Hue people sprinkle a little bit of dried shrimp on top, it tastes very fragrant.

Ram It cake

Banh it is made from sticky rice flour with a filling of fatty pork and shrimp. The cake is skillfully wrapped in banana leaves and tastes delicious. There are two types of banh it: white banh it and black banh it.

There are hundreds of delicious cakes, each with its own way of making and meaning. Most cake shops in Hue sell all kinds. You should only order a few of each type to try and enjoy the flavor of the cake. Because the cakes are made from rice flour, they fill you up quickly. Don't be tempted to order too many of one type of cake, or you'll run out of room when you move on to another. If you want to enjoy them all, order a mixed plate. The seller will make you a plate of all kinds. When you find a cake you like best, order more. If you can't find a good cake shop, you can stop by Dong Ba market to enjoy the cakes.

The cake stalls in the market are open from morning to afternoon, always bustling with people coming and going. Wandering around Hue at night, it is easy to see the enthusiasm of Hue people in cuisine. And especially, eating Hue cakes must be enjoyed with the mouth, with the eyes and with the ears to fully enjoy the rich flavors and the inherent sophistication.