 |
| A plate of Ninh Hoa steamed rice rolls. |
Making those thin yet chewy rice cakes is a meticulous process. The bakers usually wake up at dawn. The rice is washed thoroughly, soaked overnight, and then ground into a watery batter. According to experienced vendors, for the best-tasting cakes, they must use old rice so that the finished product achieves the characteristic softness, chewiness, and aroma.
Making pancakes is also an art that requires skill and quick hands. The cook must spread a thin, even layer of batter onto a cloth stretched over the steamer. After just a few dozen seconds, the translucent pancake is skillfully removed and placed on a plate while still steaming.
 |
| The person making the pancakes must be very quick and skillful. |
 |
| A hot pancake is taken out of the pan just a few dozen seconds after being cooked. |
What makes this dish so appealing is the glistening green chive oil brushed onto each layer of soft rice cake. The subtle, rich aroma of the fried chives enhances the dish's visual appeal and flavor. Next is a layer of finely shredded, red-colored shredded pork floss, usually made from shrimp, seasoned richly and sprinkled on top of the rice cake, creating an attractive visual effect.
 |
| Chives fat is eaten with steamed rice rolls. |
 |
| Shrimp floss is usually made from shrimp. |
But the soul of the dish lies in the dipping sauce. Ninh Hoa's fermented fish sauce has a harmonious balance of salty and sweet flavors, and a distinctive, strong aroma characteristic of the coastal region. Just a whiff of that aroma is enough to make many diners want to sit down and order several plates of hot, freshly made rice cakes.
 |
| A bowl of fermented fish sauce with a sprinkle of chives adds an enticing aroma that attracts many diners. |
The owner of Ngon steamed rice rolls shop in Tan Dinh ward, who has been involved in the business for many years, shared: "The characteristic of Ninh Hoa steamed rice rolls is that the dipping sauce must be really delicious, and the chives must be served hot. Especially, for the dipping sauce to be delicious, it must be made with anchovies, cooked, and then mixed with spices to get the authentic flavor."
Ninh Hoa steamed rice rolls are usually sold in small, roadside stalls with simple tables and chairs. However, it is precisely this simplicity that creates a sense of intimacy. The vendors steam the rolls while chatting with customers as if they were close friends.
 |
| A Ninh Hoa-style steamed rice noodle shop with a few simple tables and chairs, but it's always crowded with customers. |
In this region, everyone, from adults to children, loves this traditional dish. For young children who can't eat fermented fish sauce, the vendors will add a simple yet flavorful sweet fish sauce to suit their taste.
 |
| The fish sauce is simply prepared but tastes delicious. |
Ms. Nguyen Loc, a resident of Ninh Hoa ward, said: "Steamed rice rolls are sometimes my main dish, I love them so much, and my children are also very fond of them! The ingredients are all things we eat every day, like rice, shredded pork, and chives, so it feels very familiar. The dish is made with pure ingredients, without any fancy additives."
 |
| Eat until the stack of plates is almost as high as a chopstick, then you're full. |
And so, one person can eat up to a dozen plates of rice rolls, stacking them one on top of another until they feel full. It's just rice rolls, but Ninh Hoa rice rolls have a very unique flavor of the coastal countryside of Khanh Hoa . If you have the chance to visit this region, try stopping at a small roadside stall, ordering a few plates of hot rice rolls, dipping them in a little flavorful fish sauce, and fully savoring the taste of home in each thin, soft, fragrant layer of rice roll.
THAI NGOC HUY
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich-am-thuc/202605/banh-uot-ninh-hoa-moc-mac-vi-que-nha-e227d90/
Comment (0)