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DISHES THAT BRING NOSTALGIA TO THE CAPITAL CITY
When mentioning Hanoi, people often think of signature dishes like pho, bun cha, bun thang... However, there is a simple yet distinctly Hanoian dish that not everyone knows about: mung bean porridge.
Hidden among the simple street vendors along ancient, moss-covered streets, mung bean porridge has become an unmissable, humble dish, deeply rooted in Hanoi's identity, especially during difficult times.
Bean and eggplant porridge - a familiar street food of Hanoi residents.
This simple, unpretentious dish doesn't use expensive ingredients or have a complicated recipe, yet it leaves a lasting impression on the people of Hanoi. Besides its delicious taste and refreshing nature, mung bean porridge is also a part of the childhood memories of many who once lived in the capital city.
Bean and pickled eggplant porridge is a dish associated with many generations of Hanoi residents, once known as the "poor man's" porridge. As the name suggests, the main ingredients are mung bean/black bean porridge, fried beans, and pickled eggplant.
In an instant, street vendors selling mung bean porridge have become an indispensable part of the daily life of Hanoi residents. A steaming bowl of porridge, with its delicate aroma of rice, the nutty flavor of mung beans, the mild sourness of pickled eggplant, and the pungent saltiness of shrimp paste, all blend together to create an unforgettable culinary symphony.
Simple, rustic dishes associated with memories of Hanoi evoke a lasting sense of nostalgia.
Bean and eggplant porridge is not only a light and easy-to-eat dish, but also a symbol of the resilience and fortitude of the people of Hanoi during difficult times. When food and clothing were scarce, this simple bowl of bean and eggplant porridge became a source of comfort and encouragement for the people here.
For generations of Hanoians born and raised during difficult times, mung bean porridge is not just a simple dish, but also a part of their childhood memories. Recalling those years, we picture street vendors selling mung bean porridge, weaving through the narrow streets, the resounding calls of the sellers, and the moments of family gathering around a steaming bowl of porridge.
Bean and carrot porridge has become a delicious and irreplaceable dish in the hearts of Hanoi residents and diners from near and far.
DELICIOUS DISHES FOR HOT DAYS IN HANOI
Despite being a humble dish, it has been elevated to become a distinctive culinary feature of Hanoi. Although considered somewhat rustic, pickled bean and eggplant porridge is carefully prepared to satisfy even the most discerning diners. Many believe this dish has cooling properties, making it particularly popular in the summer, especially on hot days.
Diners can imagine simple ingredients like: soft-cooked rice, blended with the sweet and nutty flavor of mung beans or black beans, the rich creaminess of crispy fried tofu, and the tangy taste of pickled vegetables, all combining to create a captivating culinary symphony.
This porridge is made from simple ingredients.
The crispy, flavorful tofu pieces are an indispensable part of the dish.
Thanks to its main ingredients of rice, mung beans or black beans, and pickled eggplant, mung bean and eggplant porridge has a cooling effect, effectively relieving body heat. This dish is cooked until tender and smooth, making it easy to digest and suitable for those who are sick or have a weak digestive system.
As the name suggests, the main ingredients of the dish are mung bean or black bean porridge, fried tofu, and pickled eggplant. One of the ingredients that contributes to the dish's flavor is pickled eggplant. After purchasing the eggplant, it is sun-dried until slightly wilted to make it crispy, then cleaned and soaked in diluted salt water and pressed for 4 days.
The dish attracts customers from all over.
One of the ingredients that contributes to the flavor of the dish is pickled eggplant. After buying the eggplants, they are sun-dried until slightly wilted to make them crispy, then cleaned and soaked in diluted salt water and pressed for 4 days.
Wandering through the narrow streets, you'll see street vendors huddled on the sidewalks, a few small stools set out. A steaming pot of porridge is ladled into bowls, then sliced beans and pickled vegetables are added. The secret recipe, passed down through generations for decades, remains unchanged. The customers are mostly familiar faces; they measure out the porridge just by looking at the person's face, without much questioning.
Not only does it score points for its simple, healthy ingredients, but the dish also boasts an eye-catching appearance thanks to the colorful combination of beans and eggplant. The bowls of porridge have a natural light yellow color from mung beans or a deep red from black beans, prominently topped with delicious slices of fried beans and round pickled eggplant.
With each spoonful of the smooth, creamy porridge, diners will taste the nutty flavor of the beans combined with the rich, fragrant tofu, creating a very pleasant sensation. Adding a bite of the crunchy, salty pickled eggplant further enhances the appeal of the bowl of porridge.
These smooth, creamy bowls of porridge are a light afternoon treat for the people of the capital.
This dish is also served with braised pork ribs, chicken stir-fried with mushrooms, and minced meat, giving customers a variety of choices. The price of each bowl of porridge ranges from 12,000 VND. Additionally, if customers order extra salted eggs or dried radish, they pay an additional 5,000 - 10,000 VND.
Although it's a simple, rustic dish with basic ingredients, the skillful preparation of the vendors makes it irreplaceable in the hearts of Hanoi residents and visitors from near and far. If you have the opportunity to travel to the capital, don't forget to try this specialty dish!
