Hanoi Xu Xe Cake: Sweet gift from Hang Than Street

Not only a traditional wedding gift, banh xu xe is also a specialty that bears the cultural mark of Hanoi. Discover the most famous flavors and addresses on Hang Than Street.

Banh xu xe, also known as banh phu the, is a traditional sweet cake that is indispensable in weddings in the North. Originating from Dinh Bang village (Bac Ninh), this cake has become a part of Hanoi's culinary quintessence, sought by many tourists as gifts when visiting the capital.

Banh xu xe is one of the famous specialties of Hanoi .

Traditional flavors packed in a small cake

Hanoi's banh xu xe is made from simple but carefully selected ingredients, including tapioca starch, mung beans, fresh coconut and sugar. The cake's crust made from tapioca starch is chewy and transparent, revealing the golden mung bean filling inside. When enjoying, diners will feel the harmony between the sweetness of sugar, the richness of mung beans and the faint fragrance of grapefruit flower water, creating a sophisticated culinary experience.

The cake is usually wrapped in a thin layer of plastic wrap, and on important occasions such as weddings, the cake is also decorated with the red word "double happiness", symbolizing joy and happiness of the couple.

The story behind the name "Husband and Wife Cake"

The name "phu the" (husband and wife) of the cake is said to have been given by King Ly Anh Tong, symbolizing the steadfast and lasting love between husband and wife. The cake contains the philosophy of Yin and Yang and the five elements of Eastern culture through the colors of the ingredients: yellow of the bean paste, white of coconut and tapioca flour. The square shape of the cake box symbolizes the fulfillment, fullness and complete happiness of the couple.

The cake filling is made from mung beans and coconut, has a characteristic sweet and fatty taste.

Hang Than: The street of matchmaking cakes

When asked about the best place to buy banh xu xe in Hanoi, many locals will immediately point to Hang Than Street. This place has long been famous for its traditional cake shops, preserving the original flavor.

Hang Than Xu Xe Cake has a smooth, chewy crust and moderate sweetness. The special thing is that the color of the cake is completely natural, created from ingredients such as gac fruit, pandan leaves or turmeric, without using industrial colorants. It is the meticulousness in the manual process and the use of natural ingredients that has created the brand of Hang Than Xu Xe Cake, making diners remember it forever after eating it once.

Hang Than Xu Xe Cake is famous for its traditional flavor and natural color.

Notes on enjoyment and preservation

To enjoy banh xu xe to the fullest, you need to note the following points:

• Shelf life: Fresh cakes usually only keep for 2-3 days at room temperature. If kept in the refrigerator, the time can be extended to 4-5 days. When taking the cake out of the refrigerator, you should steam it again to make the cake softer and tastier.
• Choose delicious cakes: Avoid buying cakes with a very long shelf life (from one week to one month) because they often contain preservatives that are not good for your health.
• Note on calories: According to nutritionists, banh xu xe is not too high in calories. Eating the cake in moderation and avoiding eating it at night will not cause weight gain.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/banh-xu-xe-ha-noi-thuc-qua-ngot-ngao-cua-pho-hang-than-401444.html