1 Hanoi floating cake is a typical winter day
Banh troi tau has long become a symbol of sweet food for the people of Hanoi and those who have the opportunity to visit here. The image of a bowl of hot Hanoi dumpling cake, filled with sugar water, reminds us of a warm feeling on cold winter days.
1.1 Banh troi – The quintessence of Hanoi cuisine
Banh troi is not simply a dish but also a culinary culture associated with Hanoi people. This type of cake is made from soft and smooth glutinous rice flour, covered with green beans and fragrant black sesame. When eaten, the cake is submerged in ginger sugar water, with a little thinly grated coconut added to enhance the flavor.
What makes Hanoi banh troi particularly attractive is the warm sugar water, mild sweetness mixed with a slight spiciness from ginger. This flavor not only warms the hearts of diners on a cold winter day but also helps the body fight colds when the weather changes.
1.2 The secret to making delicious Hanoi floating cake
A perfect bowl of Hanoi banh troi requires skill and meticulousness in each step of preparation:
Knead the dough: Sticky rice flour is mixed with water and kneaded thoroughly to achieve the ideal softness. Then, the dough is incubated for about 30 minutes.
Shape the cake: The dough is divided into small parts, rolled into balls and stuffed with green beans or black sesame.
Cook cake: The cake ball is boiled in boiling water until it floats, signaling that the cake is done.
Complete: Hanoi dumpling cake is scooped into a bowl, poured with hot ginger sugar water, and added grated coconut and roasted sesame. Some restaurants also sprinkle coconut milk to increase the richness of the dish.
2 Discover the best shops selling banh troi in Hanoi
2.1 Co Van floating cake – Traditional flavor for more than 20 years
Address: 98 D. To Hoang dike, Cau Den, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
With more than 20 years of existence, Ms. Van’s Hanoi banh troi restaurant on De To Hoang street has become a familiar address for many diners. Starting from a street vendor, Ms. Van has now stuck with this small street corner, bringing the traditional flavor of Banh Troi Tau that she inherited from her husband’s family. Here, you can choose from 3 unique fillings: mushroom meat filling, green bean filling, and black sesame. Each bowl of cake is a perfect blend of thin, soft crust, fragrant filling and rich coconut milk, sprinkled with roasted sesame, grated coconut and crushed peanuts. In addition to banh troi, the restaurant also serves traditional sweet soup such as cassava sweet soup, black bean sweet soup, and areca flower sweet soup.
2.2 Pham Bang Banh Mi – Taste of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Address: 30 Hang Giay Ward, Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Located in a small alley on Hang Giay street, the Hanoi banh troi restaurant of the late artist Pham Bang has left a deep impression in the hearts of diners for many years. The cakes here are soft and fragrant, mixed with brown ginger sugar, creating a characteristic sweet, warm flavor. Not only famous for its banh troi tau, the restaurant also serves two traditional sweet soup dishes: Luc tau xa (green bean sweet soup) and chi ma phu (black sesame sweet soup), both of which are highly appreciated by many Hanoi tourists for their simplicity. delicious and delicious.
2.3 Ba Thin sweet sticky rice – Immortal flavor in the heart of Hanoi
Address: 1 Bat Dan Ward, Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
When talking about the shop selling banh troi in Hanoi, it is impossible not to mention Mrs. Thin’s shop. Located at the intersection of Bat Dan street, this small restaurant is famous for its hot, meticulously prepared and delicious banh troi. Mrs. Thin’s Banh Trai Tau stands out with its soft, flexible crust and fragrant green bean and black sesame filling. The sugar water is cooked delicately, keeping the sweetness light and not boring at all. In addition to banh troi tau, the restaurant also has traditional sweet soup dishes such as sticky rice sweet soup, green bean sweet soup and areca flower sweet soup, suitable to enjoy in the cold weather.
2.4 Bich Beo Banh Canh Hang Dieu – The quintessence of sidewalk cuisine
Address: 80 Hang Dieu, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bich Beo floating cake shop, even though it’s just a small roadside shop, still attracts a large number of diners thanks to its unique flavor. Each bowl of cake here has a smooth, flexible crust, fragrant green bean or black sesame filling, combined with a thick, fragrant ginger sugar sauce, and a touch of fatty coconut milk. The special feature of the restaurant is that the sugar water is simmered on a charcoal stove, reaching a moderate consistency, keeping the sweet and spicy taste.
Diners can enjoy a bowl of hot cakes while enjoying the cold air of Hanoi. In addition to Chinese rice cake, the restaurant also serves moderately sweet cassava sweet soup, fragrant with palm sugar and ginger. This is definitely the ideal stop for those who love experiencing street food.
2.5 Steamed rice cake at 75 Tran Xuan Soan – Unforgettable spicy flavor
Address: 75 Tran Xuan Soan, Ngo Thi Nham, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Located on peaceful Tran Xuan Soan street, this Hanoi banh troi restaurant is famous for its spicy flavor, warming the hearts of diners on cold winter days. Each bowl of cake includes two green bean balls, two black sesame balls, served with hot ginger sugar water, sprinkled with sesame and shredded coconut, creating a perfect blend.
The sweetness of the sugar water, the mild spiciness of the ginger, combined with the fragrant filling will surely satisfy even the most demanding diners. According to travel experience, this is a snack not to be missed when visiting Hanoi in winter.
2.6 Miss Huyen Hong Mai’s driftwood cake – A hundred year old heirloom flavor
Address: 122 Ward Hong Mai, Bach Mai, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Hidden in a small alley on Hong Mai street, Ms. Huyen’s banh troi shop is a familiar place for many generations of diners. The cake here is shaped evenly, with a moderately soft and flexible crust, filled with fragrant black sesame and green beans, combined with lightly sweet ginger sugar water, bringing a rich, unforgettable flavor.
A special feature of the restaurant is that sweet soup dishes are cooked in rice cookers, keeping the heat and aroma. In addition to banh troi, Vietnamtravelio suggests you can enjoy areca flower sweet soup combined with sticky rice – a dish reminiscent of childhood memories.
Each restaurant has its own secret to creating a typical Hanoi bowl of banh troi. However, they all bring a warm, delicious flavor and an unforgettable feeling every time winter comes. Don’t forget to enjoy part of your journey to discover Hanoi’s specialties.