Ba Xuan rolls keep the traditional flavor of Hanoi

1 Special rolling cake shop in Hanoi is made by Michelin

Address: Hoe Nhai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Opening hours: 6h – 13h | 16h – 0h

Price: about 35,000 – 40,000 VND/interest

Hanoi street food is famous for delicious dishes such as pho and bun cha, but among those familiar names, Ba Xuan roll cake is the only rolling shop that appears on the list suggested by Michelin. Located in an ancient house on the slope of Hoe Nhai, this cake shop is not only loved by locals but also attracts Hanoi tourists.

2 Journey to preserve a traditional profession

Ba Xuan roll shop has a history of more than 30 years, originating from Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bac’s family – who was later known after her husband’s name as Mrs. Xuan. Her husband’s family has a tradition of making noodles, then switched to making noodles, then sticking to the cake. Since the first days of just a land painting shop, the mother and son carrying baskets to the market, so far the shop has become a familiar address of food believers.

After Xuan died, Mr. Xuan continued to preserve the shop until he died because of the influence of Covid-19. Before leaving, he told his children and grandchildren: “Try to keep the family’s traditional job.” Today, the children U60, U70 of grandparents, especially Mrs. Yen and Ms. Oanh, continue to maintain the shop with the original formula.

3 The special features of Ba Xuan roll shop

3.1 Small but especially attract visitors

No flashy signs, the space of Ba Xuan rolls is relatively small but always crowded. In order to have a hot plate of rolled rolls, diners are ready to wait from 30 to 40 minutes. Simple plastic tables, stone tea chairs close to the sidewalk become a place for those who patiently wait for their turn.

One special thing is that although the shop is always crowded, the atmosphere here is very orderly. No one won the place, no one complained. The patrons also took the initiative to eat fast to make room for the next. It is that patience that somewhat expresses the attraction of this famous rolls.

3.2 The unique flavor of Ba Xuan rolls

Ba Xuan rolls are hand -over on the spot, ensuring thinness, softness, hotness when coming to customers. The fish sauce is served on the table with cinnamon rolls and herbs. In particular, egg rolls are a favorite dish even though they often have to serve the last.

Although there are diners commenting that the fish sauce is slightly pale or the rolling cake is not the best, it is the sophistication in the way of processing, the heat of the dish and experience watching live artisans who make many people come back again.

3.3 The secret to making a brand: The stone mortar is nearly 100 years old

In the middle of the modern machinery, the shop still holds the traditional powder mill – an heirloom that has passed nearly a century. Previously, his grandfather used it to grind the flour to make noodles, then the Xuan’s father’s life was used to make noodles, and now it is to grind rolls.

Thanks to this manual grinding method, the cake layer becomes thin, softer, more supple, not as friable as a grinding powder. Despite the more time and effort, this is the secret to making the different flavor of Ba Xuan rolls.

3.4 Michelin fever and “dark eyes” days

According to travel experience, since Michelin Guide called the name, the shop is not only more crowded but also welcomes more foreign tourists. The number of visitors doubled on the weekend, causing Xuan’s children to divide the shift to ensure the best service.

Although the number of guests increased sharply, Ba Xuan roll shop still did not expand the scale or change the formula. Each day there are only two people with rice paper, one specialist in egg cake, one person with regular rice paper, two more people cook fish sauce, carry and clean. All stages remain the same as for decades.

4 Why is “extreme”, but many people still like to enjoy once?

Hearing about 40 minutes waiting to eat Ba Xuan rolls, many people will be afraid. But those who have come to once understand that waiting here is not meaningless. For older people, it is the feeling of reviewing the traditional rolls. For foreign tourists, this is an opportunity to see the manual rolls. As for groups of friends, it is the opportunity to talk together in the waiting.

The rolls at the restaurant are made from selected rice from Cao Bang, soaked in full hours, grinded with stone mortar, thinly coated on the traditional boiler. When the cake is cooked, people skillfully use bamboo sticks to get the cake, roll the minced meat, then cut each soft piece.

Fish sauce is made of standard taste, not too sour or too harsh. Comes with cinnamon rolls, greasy rolls, and onions that make themselves crispy, with fresh herbs, all blend into the old Hanoi flavor. In addition to traditional meat rolls, the shop is also famous for the egg roll – steamed eggs just cooked, smooth, greasy peaches without fishy.

5 Review and tips from diners for Ba Xuan roll shop

Review Ba Xuan rolls shop:

– Thin, soft, non -sour hand rice paper, made from Cao Bang rice selected.

– The filling includes ground meat and wood ear, marinated fits, crispy natural sweetness.

– Standarded dipping sauce, light bar, bone taste, guests can adjust by clogged, chili, pepper, vinegar.

– Onions that make themselves crispy, do not smell as oil as industrial pilots.

– Topping includes cinnamon rolls, fatty rolls, nuggets and fried sausages (although not the best type according to the evaluation of some customers).

– Egg rolls with greasy peaches, served separately to keep the flavor.

– Guests can observe the baking process while waiting, feeling meticulous and elaborate in each layer of cake.

However, although the quality of the cake is highly appreciated, the service style is the biggest minus point of the shop. For example, the number of diners reflects the service staff is indifferent, not enthusiastic. Moreover, the shop also has a family model, serving in the style of “guests to wait, it’s my turn to ask”, making many people unfamiliar to feel inconvenient.

Tips when coming to eat:

– Avoid rush hour (early in the morning or after 9pm) so you don’t have to wait long.

– If you are not used to eating cinnamon rolls, you can order more fat rolls or sausages.

– Be patient if the shop is crowded because the craft rice paper cannot be done quickly.

– Adjust the dipping sauce according to the taste of kumquat, chili, pepper, vinegar available on the table.

– If you want to eat thinner rice paper, you can notice that she is more full of bread because of the experience of diners, she is thinner than the other person.

Although the shop is small, the space is simple, but Ba Xuan rolls are still a memorable mark in the hearts of every customer visiting. If you are looking for an old Hanoi roll shop, where you still retain the original taste, manual method and love for the profession for many generations, then Vietnamtravelio is sure that this is an indispensable stop.