Not just a simple dish, dried apricot is known as a symbol of sophistication and affection from Hanoi people. Above all, when talking about dried apricot, we cannot help but mention the small, pretty boxes containing the quintessential flavors of the capital, creating a unique and very charming feature.
Dried apricot is a delicate gift that blends sweetness and traditional flavor like a unique work of culinary art.
Simple yet sophisticated dish
Hanoi’s culinary map has long been famous for Hang Duong Street with countless shops next to each other selling delicious dried fruit. However, today, very few traditional dried fruit brands still exist in the Old Quarter.
Located on Hang Da street, Van Loi dried fruit shop is one of the rare brands that still retains the traditional flavor. Many tourists when visiting Hanoi also try to stand in line and wait just to buy a few ounces of dried fruit.
Located on Hang Da street, Van Loi dried fruit shop is one of the rare brands that still retains its traditional flavor.
The inside of the counter remains the same with rustic, antique decor.
Few people know that the owner of Van Loi dried fruit is rumored to be the brother of the owner of the famous Gia Loi shop on Hang Duong street. Many decades ago, Van Loi shop was also opened on Hang Duong but later moved to Hang Da street. Legend has it that Van Loi is a descendant of a family that has been making dried fruit for three or four generations. The descendants of this family have divided the business among themselves, each opening a shop around the old town and preserving their own identity in their own way.
Nowadays, the store has been renovated into a modern high-rise building, but the interior of the counter still retains the old style with a rustic, ancient layout. The candied fruits are stored in large glass jars arranged close together on the shelves and have their names and prices written by hand. In addition, the store also sells special gifts from the North such as man tea, banh khao, tapioca flour, banh com... with traditional packaging, creating a unique feature for Hanoi.
Dried apricots are popular with many people because of their unmistakable sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors.
The dried apricots are stored in large glass jars lined up on the shelves with handwritten names and prices per ounce.
The shop has nearly 70 types of dried fruit with extremely rich flavors such as young apricots, fresh ripe apricots, pickled apricots, stir-fried plums, stir-fried fresh apricots with ginger, stir-fried apricots of all kinds, star fruit, apricots with licorice, sweet and salty lemons... Customers from each region have different preferences. Southerners often like pickled apricots and young apricots, while Northerners are passionate about apricots with ginger, apricots with licorice, and lemons to suck on during the cold season.
The main ingredients for making dried fruit are typical fruits such as apricot, plum, tamarind, green mango, peach, sour plum, canarium, kumquat, star fruit, mango, jackfruit... Each type of fruit brings its own unique flavor and delicate combination, creating a unique and unmistakable blend.
The shop has nearly 70 types of dried fruit with extremely rich flavors.
The process of making dried fruit is an art, a harmonious combination of tradition and creativity.
To have the unique color and flavor, the shop still keeps intact the long-standing family secrets. The process of making dried fruit is an art, a harmonious combination of tradition and creativity. To make delicious dried fruit, the maker must also perform many steps that require carefulness and sophistication. That is the way to choose the fruit, marinate the spices, the skillful drying process, creating a unique flavor that cannot be mistaken.
The taste of Hanoi's dried apricots is a wonderful blend of the sweetness of fruit and the sour, spicy taste of spices. Each piece of dried apricot brings a journey through aromas and flavors, making the taste buds of the connoisseur constantly awaken and explore. This is not only a culinary experience but also an adventure in search of the traditional flavor and passion of the dried apricot maker.
The flavor of Hanoi apricot is a wonderful blend of the sweetness of fruit and the sour, spicy taste of spices.
The types of apricots are clearly divided into separate lines, packed in simple trays and boxes with transparent covers for easy observation.
A connoisseur of dried apricots knows how to enjoy them the old way. The powdery white apricots are savored bit by bit, even the seeds are sucked to get the full sweetness of the licorice, then the seeds are broken to taste the nutty, bitter taste of the apricot seeds.
A connoisseur of candied fruit is someone who knows how to enjoy it the old way.
An elegant gift imbued with the identity of Hanoi
Dried apricot is a delicate gift that blends sweetness and traditional flavor like a unique culinary work of art. The dish is also a cultural bridge, making those who enjoy it feel the depth and unique style of the capital Hanoi, where the sweet taste of dried apricot becomes extremely precious.
People from far away, whenever they have the chance to visit Hanoi, always buy sour and salty dried apricots to bring back as gifts.
People from far away, whenever they have the opportunity to visit Hanoi, always buy sour and salty dried apricots to bring back as gifts. Dried apricot gifts from Hanoi are not only delicious but also a great way to convey feelings and care. For Hanoians, dried apricots are not only a specialty, but also a symbol of pride in their homeland, an indispensable part of daily life and a way to connect with relatives and friends.
Dried apricots are loved by many people because of their unmistakable sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors. Just one taste and you will want to eat more, you will never forget that rich flavor. As a regular customer of Van Loi dried apricot shop, Ms. Thanh Hoa (Long Bien district, Hanoi) shared: "I don't need to wait until Tet, I still often come here to buy dried apricots for the whole family to enjoy or buy as gifts for friends far away. On the days when Hanoi changes seasons, I often choose ginger apricot and licorice apricot for my family."
The bright yellow color of the stir-fried kumquat boxes with the characteristic shape like apricot blossoms.
