Remember the taste of sticky rice in the morning.

In my hometown, sticky rice is not just a staple food, but a part of our memories. Sticky rice is used to make bánh tét, bánh ít, bánh tro... And sticky rice is also used to make xôi, a simple breakfast treat that is closely associated with my childhood and the childhood of many rural children.

Dishes of childhood

Back then, when the economy was tough, sticky rice was simply made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, a little peanuts, sugar, and coconut. It wasn't fancy, but it was a delicious, comforting breakfast. For the kids in the countryside, sticky rice was a simple yet unforgettable joy. Sticky rice back then wasn't as varied as it is now; there was no durian, no vibrant colors. Yet, receiving a packet of sticky rice from Mom after the market was pure happiness. That feeling of anticipation and joy still warms my heart when I think about it.

Sticky rice, as its name suggests, is a humble dish, a quick yet filling breakfast for laborers, farmers heading to the fields, factory workers, motorbike taxi drivers, street vendors, and even students going to class. Even at over 70, Mrs. Pham Thi Ngoc Chau (residing in An Ninh hamlet, Hoi An town, Cho Moi district) still regularly cooks sticky rice, sweet potatoes, and other dishes every day. Her small stall, nestled in a corner of the market, is quiet but familiar to many early morning workers.

Ms. Chau - the guardian of traditional sticky rice dishes.

“When I was little, I grew up in a well-off family and didn't have to lift a finger. Later, after marrying a poor man, I learned to cook and started selling sticky rice to make a living. At first, I was very nervous; I was flustered by everyone's questions, and once I even had a fever. Now I'm used to it,” she recalled with a smile. Her sticky rice is still loved by many because of its chewy texture, flavorful beans, and affordable price. In the past, every day there were children waiting to buy sticky rice to take to school. Now, children tend to prefer fast food over sticky rice…

Sticky rice in modern life

Today, sticky rice remains a popular breakfast dish, with various variations such as chicken sticky rice, char siu sticky rice, etc., to better suit consumer tastes. Besides being found in restaurants, sticky rice is also featured in wedding receptions, baby showers, and other celebrations, presented in attractive and elegant ways.

Typical of this modern approach, Ms. Tran Thi Nhu Y (Vinh Phu commune, Thoai Son district), busy taking care of her young child, chose to order a complete sticky rice and sweet soup package through an online party decoration service for her baby's one-month celebration. The sticky rice platter was meticulously prepared, from its appearance to its harmonious colors, and its sophisticated and elegant presentation, embodying many auspicious meanings that parents wish for their child to grow up healthy, prosperous, and safe. "Just choose the design, flower colors, and the baby's name, and everything will be taken care of, at a reasonable price," she said. For her, whether simple or elaborate, sticky rice always provides a soft, rich, fragrant, and delicious taste, preserving its meaning on special occasions.

Perhaps everyone grows up, gets busy with their own lives, and no longer eagerly awaits their mother's return from the market with a steaming hot packet of sticky rice like in childhood. Nowadays, children have many more choices of snacks: bread, sausages, hamburgers... Sticky rice seems to be gradually fading into the background, becoming a side dish, a "nostalgic" treat. That's why I still occasionally buy sticky rice for my children, not only for their breakfast, but also to tell them about the old days, so they understand and appreciate traditional culinary culture. Sometimes, I'm not even sure if I'm buying sticky rice for my children, or for myself from those early mornings of the past.

No matter how much time passes or how culinary tastes change, sticky rice remains an indelible part of my memories. It evokes a time of hardship but also of love, of simple yet heartwarming things. Just a small packet of sticky rice, yet it carries a whole world of cherished memories.

NGUYEN XE

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nho-vi-xoi-som-mai-a420371.html