Authentic Thai flavors at Kim Ma Street
Located on the first floor of Giang Vo apartment complex, near the bustling Kim Ma street, Duong Thi An's sticky rice ice cream shop is like a peaceful corner in the heart of the bustling city. The shop's space is very simple, just over 20 square meters wide with typical small, low tables and chairs. The tables, chairs and glass counter are neatly arranged, giving a clean, tidy feeling.
The restaurant’s sign is a prominent red board, but because it is located in a small alley, first-time visitors may take some time to find it. However, the space inside the restaurant evokes a warm, familiar feeling, as if taking diners back to the simpler years, when Hanoi did not have high-rise buildings or the rush of people and vehicles like today.
Mr. An is 85 years old this year, of Vietnamese origin but was born and raised in Udon Thani province, Thailand. The years living in Thailand helped him preserve the recipes and culinary essence of the Golden Temple country. After returning to Vietnam at the age of 18, he always cherished the desire to introduce these typical dishes to the people of Hanoi.
The restaurant is nestled in a small alley on Kim Ma Street.
In the early days of opening the shop in 1985, it was still located on Phan Chu Trinh Street. At that time, Thai sweet soup and sticky rice ice cream were still very new to Hanoians. Thanks to the unique flavors and the old man's dedication, the shop quickly became famous. Later, although the shop moved locations many times, customers still came to enjoy the unique flavors that he brought.
Currently, Mr. An has transferred the management of the restaurant to his daughter, Ms. Mai, but he still maintains the habit of going to the restaurant every day to chat and meet customers. Ms. Mai shared: “Now that he has retired, I continue to sell the restaurant not only to preserve the family tradition but also to add joy to the family. I always try to maintain the way of making and the unique flavor that my mother created, so that the restaurant remains a familiar place for many generations of customers.”
Ms. Mai, Mr. An's eldest daughter,
still open every day
Sticky rice ice cream – A “famous” dish for nearly 40 years
Sticky rice ice cream is the dish that has made the name of Mr. An's shop. A small cup of sticky rice ice cream contains the sophistication and skill of the maker. Sticky rice is cooked from premium sticky rice, soaked and steamed thoroughly with fresh pandan leaves to create a cool green color and a unique aroma. Each grain of sticky rice is soft, not broken, both delicious and beautiful to look at.
Nearly "40 years old" sticky rice ice cream
The layer of vanilla ice cream on top of the sticky rice is handmade right at the shop. The ice cream is smooth, rich, not too sweet but very harmonious. The most special thing is the layer of crispy dried young coconut, with a little salty taste to balance the sweetness of the ice cream and sticky rice. All three ingredients blend together, creating a dish that is both rustic and very unique. With just a spoonful of sticky rice ice cream, you will feel all the hard work and dedication in each grain of sticky rice, each layer of ice cream. Many people have become regular customers of the shop for decades, just to enjoy this familiar flavor.
The restaurant menu is written on a blackboard, simple and uncomplicated.
In addition to sticky rice ice cream, the shop sells Thai sweet soup and cloud cakes. These are also very popular choices among customers at the shop.
Regarding the preparation of ingredients and the processing of all dishes at the restaurant, the kitchen is always kept clean, the sticky rice is carefully selected, and fresh pandan leaves are ground to create a natural color for the sticky rice. The ice cream is homemade to ensure smoothness and retain its distinctive flavor. The dried coconut - one of the highlights of the sticky rice ice cream - is meticulously prepared. The young coconuts are selected, then grated, washed and marinated according to the owner's own recipe to create a characteristic light salty taste at the restaurant.
The processing area is always kept clean.
A place associated with the memories of many generations
For nearly 40 years, An’s sticky rice ice cream and Thai dessert shop has not only been a place to enjoy food but also a beautiful memory for many Hanoians. The customers who were students in the past are now adults and bring their children and grandchildren to the shop. They not only want to enjoy the familiar taste but also want to share the story of their childhood restaurant with the next generation.
Many elderly people, even though they cannot eat much, still stop by just to ask about Mr. An’s health and chat for a few sentences. For him, the loyalty of customers is the motivation for him to maintain the restaurant for many years.
The space of the restaurant brings a familiar feeling of an old time.
In the heart of bustling Hanoi, An's sticky rice ice cream and Thai dessert shop is like a peaceful place for diners to stop. Normally, the shop opens from 10:30 to 21:30. The shop is often crowded at the following times: 12:00-13:00, 16:00-17:00 and 19:00-20:00. With only 20,000 VND per dish, you can enjoy a cup of sticky rice ice cream or a bowl of cool, sweet Thai dessert with a combination of new and familiar flavors.
