Town cuisine

If you only have one afternoon to experience the culinary delights of Phu Tho town, many people would probably choose to visit Me Market, the oldest and most beloved "foodie spot" in the town. Right in the middle of the main market, it's easy to find rows of stalls selling all kinds of local specialties. This whole world of cuisine is etched in the memories of those who have stayed here. Every morning, after their market day, the mothers and grandmothers never forget to stop by to buy a few items as breakfast treats for their grandchildren.

When talking about the local cuisine , one cannot fail to mention "bánh tai" (ear-shaped cake), a characteristic breakfast treat that has been associated with the town's residents for generations. The cake is made from plain rice flour and filled with pork. Its shape resembles an ear, hence the name "bánh tai." While seemingly simple, achieving a soft, chewy, and fragrant cake requires meticulous preparation at every stage, from selecting, soaking, and grinding the rice to kneading the dough and steaming. The best way to enjoy bánh tai is immediately after it's taken out of the steamer, still steaming hot, dipped in a sauce seasoned with sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, offering an unforgettable taste experience.

Ms. Dinh Thi Hoan, a specialist in making and selling "tai" cakes at Me Market, shared: "I've been involved in making 'tai' cakes for almost 22 years now. Every day I wake up before 3 a.m. to make the cakes. The process involves many steps: soaking the rice the day before, grinding it finely, sifting the flour until smooth, and then kneading it... The cake may look simple, but to preserve its traditional flavor, it must be made very carefully and meticulously; otherwise, the batch will be ruined. That's why many regular customers, some of whom have been away for decades, always seek out Ms. Hoan's 'tai' cakes when they return to the town."

While talking to us, Ms. Hoan's hands were still nimbly wrapping cakes for customers. Her hands were so accustomed to the work that she could do it skillfully without even looking. Most people who eat at Ms. Hoan's shop buy more to take home. It was only nearly 8 am, but her batch of several hundred ear-shaped cakes was already sold out.

Through research, we learned that in the past, the most famous ear-shaped cakes were made by Mrs. Gian Dinh in Gieng Thanh, Bach Dang Street, Au Co Ward. The craft was then passed down to her descendants. Currently, ear-shaped cakes are produced at several well-known locations such as Chien Lap shop in Phong Chau Ward, and Co Hoan's ear-shaped cakes at Me Market... Over the years, the town's ear-shaped cakes have quietly "kept" customers coming back with their simple, rustic flavor, just like the people of the town themselves.

Beyond just the "banh tai" (ear-shaped rice cake), every morning, tucked away in small alleys or along main streets, are small but always crowded breakfast stalls. Among them, the "banh cuon" (steamed rice rolls) is a familiar dish favored by many diners.

The most famous is undoubtedly Ms. Tam's eatery, modestly located behind Sa Dec Secondary School in Hung Vuong Ward. Without a sign or flashy advertising, anyone who has been there will never forget the taste of Ms. Tam's rice rolls. Her rice rolls are made fresh on the spot, only to order. The filling consists of minced meat and wood ear mushrooms, rolled to perfection, with a translucent, soft, and thin wrapper. They are served with grilled pork sausage, a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, a few slices of fresh red chili, and pickled vegetables, creating a unique and well-rounded flavor.

Another well-known spot worth mentioning is the small, over 30-year-old steamed rice roll stall of Ms. Vu Thi Tien at Me Market. Ms. Tien's stall is modestly situated amidst the bustling food court, without a sign, just a few plastic tables and wooden chairs, yet it's always crowded with customers. The prices are incredibly affordable, ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 VND per serving, suitable for all budgets.

Particularly noteworthy in Phu Tho town is its long-standing tradition of mooncake making, spanning nearly a century. Since 1930, Mr. Hoang Quy, originally from Noi Am village in Hanoi , brought the craft to Phu Tho town, establishing the Quang Hung Long shop. Over generations, his descendants have developed the trade into well-known brands such as Hoang Van, Ta Quyet, Thu Thuy, Tuan Anh, and Luan Sang. There are two main types of mooncakes: baked and soft. The ingredients may seem simple, but the family secrets in mixing the dough, cooking the sugar syrup, selecting the fillings, and infusing with pomelo blossom fragrance create the difference. Baked mooncakes are soft but not dry, rich but not greasy, while soft mooncakes are mildly sweet and perfectly chewy. Especially, the affordable prices make them a popular choice for meaningful gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In addition, when visiting the town, people can also discover other delicious snacks such as papaya salad, mixed sweet soup, various types of fried cakes, rice cakes, sticky rice cakes, pork sausage cakes, boiled snails, etc.

Ninh Giang – Ha Trang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/am-thuc-thi-xa-232825.htm