Having the opportunity to attend the wedding of a classmate in Vinh Tuong (Vinh Phuc) last May, Ha Giang (23 years old, living in Hai Phong) was surprised to see a familiar yet strange bean soup dish on the feast.

“This soup is made from soy milk, also known as soy milk. I find it familiar because soy milk with a little sugar is a popular drink. It is drunk hot in winter, and more delicious when added with ice in summer.

However, the strange thing is that here, soy milk seasoned with a little salt and MSG becomes a refreshing soup, often seen on local feasts," Giang said.

Soup made from bean water on a tray of offerings in Vinh Phuc . Source: NVCC

The bean soup has a fragrant and rich taste, but Ha Giang admitted that she was not used to it and felt it did not suit her.

“If I have the opportunity to experience a wedding, engagement or death anniversary in Vinh Phuc, I will try the bean soup again. Although I have not yet adapted to the taste of this soup, I still appreciate the unique culinary culture of each locality.

I am also happy to have the opportunity to know and enjoy the unique delicacies on the trays of food in each region, thereby understanding more about the culture and life of the people", 10X expressed.

Bean soup can be eaten immediately without seasoning. Source: Lan Lung Linh

Ms. Nguyen Lien - owner of a tofu factory in Dai Dong commune (Vinh Tuong district) said that bean soup is a summer dish, closely associated with the lives of the people here. However, this dish is often found in some localities, not all.

“In fact, many people living in Vinh Phuc may not know about bean soup. This refreshing, popular dish is only popular in a few places and not everyone can eat it. Those who like it praise it as delicious, while those who are not used to it are afraid to try it or only enjoy it once or twice,” she said.

Bean soup in Vinh Phuc tray
Depending on each family and locality, people display the summer feast with bean soup or bean brain soup. Photo: NVCC

According to this woman, there are two types of soup made from bean water, commonly called bean soup (milk soup) and bean brain soup (cow soup).

In particular, bean soup is made from soy milk - a familiar drink of many people in the North, seasoned with a little fish sauce or salt, MSG, depending on the preferences of each person and each family.

Bean brain soup is similar to bean soup but with a little sour water added. When boiled, a precipitate of young beans (young brains) will appear.

“Depending on each family, the feast will be prepared with bean soup or bean brain soup. Bean soup is more refreshing and has a rich flavor. Bean brain soup is soft, fragrant, and easy to eat.

These soups are all affordable. People will arrange 2 bowls on each tray or add another type of soup for guests to enjoy their meal," Ms. Lien shared.

Nguyen.t Ha Ly Bean Soup.jpg
Bean soup with rice is a favorite dish of many people. Photo: Nguyen T. Ha Ly

This woman also revealed that she often makes bean soup for local funerals, weddings, and "measures" the ingredients herself to fit the number of trays of food.

“Other dishes on the tray such as boiled chicken, shrimp with fermented bean curd, grilled meat, etc. can be priced by the plate or by the ounce, but bean soup cannot be. The host only needs to inform the number of trays, I will prepare the ingredients and cook enough soup for the same amount, dividing each tray into 1 large bowl or 2 small bowls,” she said.

Bean soup is more delicious when eaten with eggplant salad, fried meat... Photo: Chu Hong Lieu

Ms. Lien also said that not only appearing in local dishes, bean soup is also popular in every summer meal. In fact, in the summer, this soup "sells better" than tofu.

“This soup is also called lazy soup because it can be eaten immediately without cooking and is more delicious when combined with savory dishes such as eggplant salad, crispy pork belly, green bean curd, roasted peanuts, roasted shrimp, etc.

I know that not only in Vinh Phuc but also in some suburban areas of Hanoi such as Me Linh, Dan Phuong, Soc Son or in Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen..., people often use this delicious bean soup in the summer", she expressed.

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Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dac-san-trang-nhu-sua-trong-mam-co-vinh-phuc-beo-ngay-chan-com-an-thanh-mat-2411925.html