Sour shrimp rolls – A delicacy of Hue royal court in a simple, rustic dish

1 Sour shrimp rolls – Hue dish gradually falling into oblivion

Like an intersection between royal cuisine and folk cuisine, sour shrimp rolls are not only delicious but also clearly show the characteristics of Hue cuisine: small, sophisticated and full of philosophy. .

Sour shrimp rolls are a delicious Hue dish that is modified from the original wet cake and skillfully presented, captivating diners with a flavor imbued with Hue identity. The main ingredients to make this dish include sour shrimp, boiled meat, wet cakes and green vegetables… It seems that this dish is gradually falling into oblivion in the subconscious of young Hue people, the number of people who know Sour shrimp rolls really aren’t much.

To eat this banh cuon, diners have to watch the time and place to enjoy it. The ingredients for this dish are not difficult to find, it’s just that the preparation method is quite meticulous, you have to be skillful to have a delicious and beautiful finished product. Each cake is neatly rolled, cut and placed neatly on a pretty plate, with meat and sour shrimp on top. The Hue restaurant owner’s toothless smile and quick hands making cakes and entertaining stories make the dish more attractive.

See more: Return to the ancient capital to enjoy Hue tapioca cake with the quintessence of Central cuisine

A plate of sour shrimp rolls will have all the colors such as the bright green of the vegetables, the apricot yellow of the potatoes, the clear white of the vermicelli and the pink and red of the sour shrimp. The dipping sauce has a very attractive golden brown color. Pick up a beautiful roll of cake, dip it into a bowl of shrimp paste and enjoy, absorbing the rich sweetness and charm of Hue people in this delicious everyday dish.

Not only is it a dish once served in the Hue royal court, people here also view sour shrimp rolls as a delicious dish that contains the human philosophy of life. Because this dish combines all the flavors from salty, sweet, fatty, fleshy to sour, astringent, bitter, spicy, but each flavor is always clear. Slowly enjoying sour shrimp rolls, we will clearly feel the spices that make up life.

For Hue people, whether main dishes or side dishes, dishes sold on the street or luxury restaurants, are prepared and presented very meticulously, showing the ingenuity and care with each dish. Most of the food in Hue is usually small and pretty, not too big or too much, making it easy for diners to enjoy it elegantly and eat it many times. And sour shrimp rolls are no exception.

Gently spread each wet cake out on a plate, arrange raw vegetables, sweet potatoes and vermicelli, a little of each. Roll the cake up neatly, cut it into pieces, about the length of two fingers, then arrange on a plate. Place a slice of pork belly and a sour shrimp on top of the roll. Prepare some raw vegetables like lettuce and herbs. The leaves have been removed from the spinach stalks, only the crispy young parts are taken so that when chewed, the vegetable sounds very pleasant, contributing to the aroma – color – taste of the dish.

2 Ma Hanh’s sour shrimp roll cake shop is famous in the capital

2.1 Rare shop of sour shrimp rolls at the foot of Kho Ren bridge

Sour shrimp rolls bring the soul and essence of Hue cuisine and are both delicious and eye-catching. The green of the leaves, the white of the cake, the red of the shrimp, the yellow of the potatoes… combine to create a poetic dish. If you come to Hue, don’t forget to try this delicious Hue dish

In the afternoon, at closing time at 4 – 5 p.m., visitors can stop by Kho Ren bridge (Phan Dinh Phung street, Hue city) to fill their stomachs with Ma Hanh’s sour shrimp rolls. It’s just a small shop, but everyone is willing to line up to wait for mom to cut and wrap it. It feels like waiting for mom to come home from the market, buy some gifts for her and then share them.

Address: At the foot of Kho Ren bridge, Phan Dinh Phung street, Hue city.

Reference price: 25,000 VND/serving

2.2 Ingenuity is packed into each roll of cake

Going around the foot of Kho Ren bridge, you will see the image of an old man in his 70s, hunched over his street vendor’s basket. Whenever there are customers, she will stop and roll each cake for diners along the road. Customers who want to buy the cake will have the cake wrapped in fresh banana leaves before putting it in a bag. A little simple, a little careful, a little safe, a little delicate. All wrapped up in one word “Khe” that anyone who buys once will remember forever.

Sour shrimp and pork belly remain on the cake. Pick up each cake mold, dip some broth, eat and feel, you will be surprised that the rustic taste is still here as if it has never been forgotten. Each mold of cake gradually melted, blending in each person’s passion.

2.3 The process of completing the dish is elaborate and thorough

To eat Mrs. Hanh’s wet cake rolled with sour shrimp, many people have to “stalk” and wait for places she often passes by. There are only three dishes, but the most popular is sour shrimp rolls. Taking out a bamboo tray tinted with the glossy brown color of kitchen smoke, spreading banana leaf sticky rice on top, she prepared a cake that only appeared in the meals of ancient Hue families.

The process of completing the dish was so elaborate and thorough that five or seven people waited, but absolutely no one urged them. The cut pieces of cake look as luxurious as the food in a restaurant with all the colors. Pick up a handful of carrots, papaya mixed with sour shrimp and place it on each tube of cake, add a little pork belly and sprinkle it on, wrap it in banana leaves at both ends, add sauce for customers to take away.

Although sour shrimp rolls are simple, they were once very popular with kings. This dish was often present on the king’s dining table. Nowadays there are very few restaurants selling this dish. It looks simple, but the steps must be meticulous and sophisticated, making not only the maker but also the eater feel the effort and enthusiasm poured into each roll of cake.

With many years of experience in the profession, Me Hanh’s sour shrimp roll cart is definitely a place to enjoy this unique dish of Hue. If you have the opportunity to visit the dreamy ancient city, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy Hue’s royal delicacies to enhance your culinary experience.

Inspired by the soul and essence of Hue cuisine, sour shrimp rolls are a simple, rustic dish with sophisticated preparation that is very popular with the people of the capital. Although this dish has gradually been forgotten by tourists from far away, sour shrimp rolls are still a favorite dish and appear regularly on the dinner trays of Hue people. Pack your backpack and remember to bring your experience to Hue on your own to enjoy more of the famous specialties here!