Rich and flavorful Ba Thung rice noodle rolls

When visiting Cam Lo and asking about a local specialty, Ba Thung rice noodle rolls are probably the most frequently mentioned dish.

Ba Thung steamed rice rolls are a simple yet appealing and delicious dish - Photo: HT

Ba Thung steamed rice rolls restaurant is located in a peaceful village, surrounded by many quiet and lush gardens, and is always bustling with customers. The dish is called Ba Thung steamed rice rolls because it is made by people from Ba Thung, Cam Tuyen commune.

This dish combines deliciousness, novelty, and uniqueness; it's a harmonious blend of ingredients from the homeland's fields and the skillful, meticulous work of the baker.

Accordingly, Ba Thung rice noodle dish includes familiar ingredients such as rice noodles, pork, shrimp, and various fresh vegetables, along with a flavorful dipping sauce.

To make a batch of smooth, soft, hot, and non-sour steamed rice rolls, the baker must choose good quality rice, grind it finely, and mix it with tapioca starch in the right ratio. The rolls are made fresh as needed. Meat is also an important ingredient that makes Ba Thung steamed rice rolls unique, as the pork served with the rolls is always fresh, firm, sweet, and sliced ​​to the right thickness.

When eating, guests can choose between boiled or grilled meat according to their taste, but grilled meat is still the most popular. The meat for grilling is usually thinly sliced ​​pork belly, marinated with pepper, onion, fish sauce, five-spice powder, and sesame seeds.

After marinating the meat for a few hours, it's skewered and grilled over glowing charcoal until cooked through and fragrant.

According to the vendor, perfectly grilled meat should be evenly cooked, slightly charred around the edges but not dry, tender yet still firm. After grilling, the meat is sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds to enhance the flavor.

Contributing to the reputation of Ba Thung rice noodle rolls is the rich and flavorful broth. Unlike other dipping sauces, the broth here, in addition to pure anchovy fish sauce, also contains a mixture of finely ground shrimp and mung beans, seasoned to perfection.

Ms. Dao Thi Thuy, owner of Ba Thung rice noodle shop in Cam Tuyen commune, shared: "All ingredients such as rice, meat, vegetables... are produced right here in this countryside."

The food isn't elaborately presented, and the restaurant isn't fancy, but diners can find here the taste of home, of fragrant rice grains, sweet freshwater shrimp, or fresh vegetables just picked from the backyard...

In particular, unlike other places, before being served to customers, Ba Thung's steamed rice rolls are spread with a mixture of finely ground ingredients including dried shrimp, mung beans, onions, garlic, etc., and then rolled up.

The vibrant red of the shrimp and the green beans scattered evenly on the white background of the steamed bun are appealing to both the eyes and the taste buds, making it even more delicious for diners.

Gently place a piece of succulent meat between the rice paper, add some fresh vegetables and green chili, dip it generously into the broth, and take a big bite. Diners can then fully appreciate the rich, irresistible flavor of this dish.

Ba Thung steamed rice rolls can satisfy even the most discerning customers because behind every tender piece of meat and every fragrant, chewy rice roll lies the heart and soul of those who made them.

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