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More than just a simple snack, candied fruit is known as a symbol of sophistication and sentiment from the people of Hanoi. Above all, when talking about candied fruit, one cannot forget the charming little boxes containing the quintessential flavors of the capital, creating a unique and captivating appeal.
Candied fruit is an exquisite gift, a harmonious blend of sweetness and traditional flavors, like a unique work of culinary art.
Simple yet exquisite dishes
Hanoi's culinary map has long recognized Hang Duong Street with its countless shops selling delicious candied fruits. However, today very few long-standing traditional candied fruit brands still exist in the Old Quarter.
Located on Hang Da Street, Van Loi candied fruit shop is one of the rare brands that still retains its traditional flavor. Many tourists visiting Hanoi even try to queue up just to buy a few hundred grams of candied fruit.
Located on Hang Da Street, Van Loi candied fruit shop is one of the rare brands that still retains its traditional flavor.
Inside, the shop retains its original style with a rustic, old-fashioned layout.
Few people know that it's rumored the owner of Van Loi candied fruit shop is the brother of the owner of the famous Gia Loi shop on Hang Duong Street. Decades ago, Van Loi also opened on Hang Duong Street but later moved to Hang Da Street. Legend says that Van Loi is a descendant of a family that has been making candied fruit for three or four generations. The descendants of this family have divided the business among themselves, each opening a shop around the Old Quarter and preserving their unique identity in their own way.
Nowadays, the shop has been renovated into a modern multi-story building, but the interior still retains its old-fashioned, rustic decor. Preserved fruits are stored in large glass jars arranged closely together on the shelves, each with its name and price written by hand (per gram). In addition, the shop also sells Northern Vietnamese specialties such as black tea, rice flour cakes, tapioca flour, and sticky rice cakes, all packaged in a distinctly traditional way, creating a unique Hanoi atmosphere.
Candied fruits are popular because of their unique combination of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors.
Candied fruits are stored in large glass jars arranged closely together on the shelves, each with its name and price written by hand, calculated by weight.
The shop offers nearly 70 types of candied fruits with incredibly rich flavors such as pickled star fruit, fresh ripe star fruit, pickled star fruit, stir-fried plums, stir-fried fresh apricots with ginger, various stir-fried apricots, carambola, apricots with licorice, sweet and salty lemons… Customers from different regions have different preferences; people in the South often like pickled star fruit and pickled star fruit, while people in the North are fond of apricots with ginger, apricots with licorice, and lemons to suck on during the cold season.
The main ingredients for making candied fruits are characteristic fruits such as apricots, plums, tamarind, hog plums, peaches, star fruit, persimmons, kumquats, carambola, mangoes, jackfruit, etc. Each type of fruit brings its own unique flavor and subtle combination, creating a unique and unmistakable blend.
The shop offers nearly 70 varieties of candied fruits with incredibly diverse flavors.
The process of making candied fruit is an art form, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.
To achieve its distinctive color and flavor, the shop preserves its long-standing family secrets. The process of making candied fruit is an art form, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Making delicious candied fruit requires meticulous attention to detail and skill in many steps. This includes selecting the right fruit, marinating with spices, and skillfully drying the fruit to create a unique and unmistakable flavor.
Hanoi's candied fruit (ô mai) boasts a wonderful blend of sweet fruit flavors and tangy, spicy seasonings. Each piece offers a journey through aromas and tastes, constantly stimulating and exploring the palate. It's not just a culinary experience, but also an adventure in discovering the traditional flavors and dedication of the candied fruit makers.
The flavor of Hanoi's candied fruit is a wonderful blend of the sweet taste of the fruit and the sour, spicy flavor of the spices.
The different types of candied fruits are clearly divided into separate categories, packaged in simple trays and boxes with transparent packaging for easy viewing.
A true connoisseur of candied plums knows how to enjoy them in the traditional way. The plums, already covered in a white powder, are savored little by little. Even the pit is held in the mouth to fully release the sweet, fragrant flavor of licorice, before being bitten open to reveal the nutty, slightly bitter taste of the apricot kernel.
A true connoisseur of candied fruits knows how to enjoy them in the traditional way.
An elegant gift imbued with the rich cultural identity of Hanoi.
Preserved fruit (O Mai) is a delicate gift, a harmonious blend of sweetness and traditional flavors, like a unique work of culinary art. It also serves as a cultural bridge, allowing those who enjoy it to appreciate the depth and distinctive style of Hanoi, where the sweet taste of preserved fruit is considered incredibly precious.
People from far away, whenever they have the chance to visit Hanoi, always make sure to buy these sour and salty candied plums to take home as gifts.
People from afar, whenever they have the chance to visit Hanoi, always make sure to buy sour and salty candied fruits to take home as gifts. Candied fruits from Hanoi are not only delicious but also a wonderful way to convey affection and care. For Hanoians, candied fruits are not just a specialty, but also a symbol of pride in their homeland, an indispensable part of daily life, and a way to connect with family and friends.
Candied fruits are popular because of their unique sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors; once you taste them, you'll want more, and you'll never forget their rich taste. A regular customer of Van Loi candied fruit shop, Ms. Thanh Hoa (Long Bien district, Hanoi) shared: “Even without Tet (Lunar New Year), I often come here to buy candied fruits for my family to enjoy or to give as gifts to friends far away. During the changing seasons in Hanoi, I usually choose candied apricots with ginger and apricots with licorice for my family.”
The vibrant yellow color of the canned stir-fried kumquats, with their distinctive shape resembling a plum blossom.
