Tray of traditional cakes from Con Son islet.

A common and popular highlight among tourists at eco-tourism destinations is the local cuisine, with traditional cakes being a must-try. In Can Tho, there are many places selling traditional cakes, but the traditional cake platter at Con Son islet is quite unique.

A tray of traditional Vietnamese cakes at Cong Minh's garden house, Son islet. Photo: KIEU MAI

Visitors to Son Island are always impressed by the colorful and uniquely flavored traditional cakes displayed on platters by Mrs. Phan Kim Ngan, also known as Bay Muon, the owner of Cong Minh Garden. Mrs. Bay Muon shared: “My cakes are still made using the traditional methods of our ancestors. Each type requires meticulous effort, but I make them whenever customers order, mainly so they can enjoy the authentic taste of traditional cakes from the countryside.” Each platter, whether large or small (depending on the number of customers), always contains 3-4 types of cakes: rice cakes, banana cakes, pork skin cakes, steamed rice cakes, tapioca cakes, and rice flour cakes... neatly arranged, accompanied by various dipping sauces in sweet and savory flavors.

According to Mrs. Bay Muon, the dipping sauce is an integral part of the soul of traditional folk cakes: coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar syrup... all contribute to making the dish more authentic. All the cakes and dipping sauces are prepared by Mrs. Bay Muon herself using a family-inherited secret recipe, so the folk cakes on Son Island have a very unique flavor. For example, the rolled rice cakes retain their traditional, authentic taste. To keep the cakes crispy and fluffy, Mrs. Bay Muon still uses the traditional method of grinding rice into flour. Therefore, the cakes have a delicious aroma and a satisfying crunch. Similarly, the colors of the pork skin cakes are derived from plants in her garden, such as purple from perilla leaves and green from pandan leaves... the flour is also ground at home, so when the cakes are cooked, they have the necessary chewiness and a natural fragrance.

Because they are quite elaborate to make, visitors who want to enjoy a platter of traditional Vietnamese cakes must order in advance. However, at Cong Minh Garden, there are some types of cakes such as: sandwiched cakes, jackfruit leaf cakes... where visitors can experience making and enjoying them on the spot. Ngo Hai Linh, a visitor from Hanoi , said: “I find the cakes here not only visually appealing but also very delicious. Importantly, I was impressed and enjoyed the experience of seeing and making some of the cakes myself.”

MINH NHIEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/met-banh-dan-gian-con-son-a199119.html