1 Some details about lotus leaf sticky rice at Pham Van Hai market
Address: 35 Ngo Thi Thu Minh, Ward 3, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City (next to Pham Van Hai market).
Opening hours: 06:30 – 09:00
Every early morning, from 6 o’clock, when Ms. Pham Bich Hanh’s family’s sticky rice cart arrived at the beginning of the alley, there was already a long line of customers waiting. At 35 Ngo Thi Thu Minh (Tan Binh district), a small space of less than 10 square meters, Ms. Hanh and her family are still busy packing hot sticky rice for the first customers. The shop has no sign, just a small corner with a few plastic tables holding baskets of golden sticky rice, emitting a delicious aroma. The ingredients are all neatly and conveniently prepared, helping her quickly complete each package of sticky rice in just a few minutes.
The restaurant received support from many people right from the moment it opened. Photo: vnexpress
Customers coming here are mainly familiar people who have enjoyed this sticky rice dish since her family first started the business. However, there is no shortage of curious diners who come because they heard about the restaurant through social networking sites. No matter how crowded the guests are, Mrs. Hanh is still agile and never stops serving delicious sticky rice.
In 2011, Ms. Hanh’s family moved from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to start a business. Before that, her husband’s family had a tradition of selling sticky rice, but instead of wrapping it in lotus leaves like today, they used young almond leaves or banana leaves. From being a state civil servant, her husband decided to quit his job to follow his mother’s footsteps, selling sticky rice on the sidewalk. When hearing friends talk about the easy life in Saigon, Ms. Hanh’s family decided to move to the South and open a sticky rice shop.
Located at a corner on the side of Pham Van Hai market so it will be easy to find and visit. Photo: Hoa BT
More than a decade has passed, every day, her family wakes up at 3 a.m. to prepare ingredients and prepare goods. At exactly 6:30, they were at the restaurant again to serve the first customers. After selling out, the whole family returned home to rest and prepare for the new day. The work is hard, but the passion for this special sticky rice dish is always burning in the hearts of Mrs. Hanh and her whole family.
2 Special things about this sticky rice shop
It is no coincidence that Ms. Hanh’s sticky rice shop has become famous and crowded for many years, even though it is only a small sticky rice shop right at the corner of the market. Let’s join Vietnamtravelio Travel Guide to learn more about the special things about the restaurant. This sticky rice!
2.1 Lotus leaf sticky rice is the most popular in Saigon
Every day, Ms. Hanh’s family prepares about 20kg of sticky rice, 15kg of corn and 3kg of green rice to serve guests. On full moon days, the amount of rice must increase to 30kg because people’s vegetarian demand increases.
Just opened for sale, Ms. Hanh’s family’s sticky rice shop was already crowded with people waiting. Photo: tienphong
Previously, the restaurant used to deliver sticky rice to the place, even moving it to other provinces, but now, with so many customers, Mrs. Hanh only cooks enough for the morning and sells it all the same day. She shared: “The restaurant is so crowded that even if we cook more, we cannot satisfy them all.”
2.2 Types of sticky rice are very diverse
The sticky rice here is divided into three main types: sticky rice with sticky rice, sticky rice with green rice and sticky rice with corn, each type has a combination of different ingredients, bringing unique flavors. In particular, the sticky rice here is cooked in the Northern style, with golden sticky rice grains that are smooth and shiny and still retain their softness until noon.
Lotus leaf sticky rice shop has 3 types, including sticky rice with corn, sticky rice with corn and sticky rice with green rice. Among them, sticky rice is the most popular type. Photo: vnexpress
Depending on the customer’s preferences, the restaurant can add spices such as cotton floss, pork sausage, fried onions for salty sticky rice, or sugar and coconut for sweet sticky rice. Green beans are an indispensable ingredient in both types of sticky rice, creating a harmonious flavor.
All ingredients are made by Mrs. Hanh and her husband according to ancient flavors. Photo: tienphong
Among them, sticky rice is always the most popular dish, but sticky rice with green rice is no less attractive. Com is cooked from good quality sticky rice, combined with green beans and coconut, giving it a unique aroma. Sticky rice nuggets have a bright green color and are cooked just right so they are not too sweet but very easy to eat, making everyone who enjoys them admire them.
2.3 Associated with the image of lotus leaves
The special thing that makes the sticky rice here different is the way the sticky rice is wrapped in fresh, dark green lotus leaves, keeping the sticky rice warm and flexible. Ms. Hanh shared: “Lotus leaves not only help retain heat, but also bring natural fragrance, contributing to environmental protection.” The longer it is left, the slightly bitter taste of the lotus leaf blends into the sticky rice, creating an indescribable “top taste” flavor, making the enjoyer feel like they are returning to childhood memories.
On average every 5 days, Ms. Hanh imports more than 2,000 lotus leaves from Dong Thap and Long An provinces to ensure fresh leaf quality.
The green beans at Mrs. Hanh’s sticky rice shop are praised by customers because they are both fatty and fragrant, so the sticky rice is also more delicious. Photo: tienphong
2.4 Reasonable price
Even though prices have increased, Ms. Hanh has kept the prices stable for many years: sweet sticky rice is 12,000 VND, salty sticky rice is 15,000 VND and sticky rice with rolls is 20,000 VND. It is this reasonable price that has helped the restaurant gain a loyal customer base over the past ten years. Many people, even though they live far away, have to travel up to 5-6km, are still willing to come to enjoy this special sticky rice dish.
The sticky rice here is sold at a very reasonable price and of stable quality. Photo: vnexpress
It’s not because of the stable price that the quality or presentation has gone down. Each piece of sticky rice, regardless of type, is packed very carefully by the restaurant, wrapped with 2 layers of lotus leaves, which both create fragrance and preserve the flavor. keep the sticky rice hot for as long as possible. This is also a very impressive feature of Mrs. Hanh’s lotus leaf sticky rice shop that Vietnamtravelio thinks if you have the opportunity to visit Tan Binh, you should enjoy it once to feel it most clearly.
Each basic portion of lotus leaf sticky rice will include a super large fried patty and fragrant green beans. Photo: Pham Daliet
2.5 Sell other cakes
Besides typical sticky rice, the restaurant also serves traditional Northern cakes such as banh gai, banh chung and sausage. These dishes are made by Mrs. Hanh according to Northern recipes, with unique flavors, helping diners have more choices when visiting the restaurant. Soft and flexible banh gai, fragrant banh chung with dong leaves, and delicious sausage, all make diners feel like they are returning to their homeland, bringing a full and complete culinary experience.
You can also buy other types of banh gai and banh chung to clearly experience Hanoi cuisine. Photo: vnexpress
3 What do customers say about the sticky rice products at Pham Van Hai market?
Having eaten sticky rice here since the first days of selling it, three times a week Mrs. Phuong Anh would drive nearly 5 km from home to buy it for the whole family. “I’m originally from Hanoi, so it suits my taste. I like sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves the most. It’s delicious and retains the tradition,” the 50-year-old woman said.
Ms. Phuong Anh is one of the restaurant’s loyal customers. Photo: vnexpress
“I saw that this restaurant was known to many people, so I stopped by to try it today. The first impression was that the price was reasonable, the sticky rice was plentiful, and the lotus leaf package looked very rustic,” said Thanh Ngan, 19 years old.
Each portion of lotus leaf sticky rice is a nutritious breakfast for Thanh Ngan. Photo: vnexpress
Sticky rice products are also highly appreciated for their stable quality, from sticky rice seeds to green beans as well as accompanying toppings. However, if it’s too crowded, you’ll still have to wait a bit. The aunties are always quick to sell you the most delicious sticky rice.
Green beans are highly appreciated for their delicious flavor and texture. Photo: Pham Daliet
Many customers are also very satisfied with the quality but at an affordable price, suitable for many ages. 1 portion of sticky rice here can be eaten for 2 people for 1 breakfast, which is also very stable.
The sticky rice is of super quality but the price is extremely reasonable for many young people’s budgets. Photo: Thao Nguyen Thi Phuong
Lotus leaf sticky rice is an impressive dish and deserves to be on the check-list of Saigon culinary dishes that you should definitely enjoy once. Feel the wonderful blend between the fragrant flavor of sticky rice and the coolness and gentleness of lotus leaves. Each package of sticky rice here is meticulously prepared, preserving the sophistication of the traditional dish, but also not lacking in creativity in combining ingredients. If you are a lover of simple yet flavorful dishes, this sticky rice restaurant will bring you a memorable culinary experience.
