Visit Duong Lam and enjoy local delicacies.

Not only is it famous as the land of two kings (the birthplace of Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung) with its ancient houses hundreds of years old, covered in moss, but what captivates visitors most when they come to Duong Lam ancient village (Son Tay ward, Hanoi) are the simple, rustic local delicacies that are full of human warmth.

Come to Duong Lam, find a sense of peace.

Walking along the village road with its interspersed old houses, visitors can easily spot a few bamboo or wooden tables tucked under the eaves of houses or in front of the gates of Mia Pagoda, Mong Phu village communal house, the temple and tomb of King Ngo Quyen… On them are neatly arranged all kinds of local snacks: sticky rice cakes, peanut candy, sesame candy, sesame candy, puffed rice… Interspersed among them are steaming hot rice cakes.

Each season brings its own bounty, and the local delicacies of Duong Lam always carry the flavors of home. Like these early summer days, the bamboo tables often feature plump purple plums, clusters of bright red lychees still glistening with morning dew, or fragrant pineapples and early-season jackfruit segments.

They are called local delicacies because most of them are made from the very produce of the fields and farms. For example, chè lam – a treat that everyone who visits Đường Lâm must try at least once – is made from glutinous rice flour, peanuts, ginger, sugar, and malt syrup. Although called "chè," it is actually a type of sweet cake.

A good piece of chè lam (sticky rice cake) should be chewy, fragrant with the aroma of sticky rice, have a mild spiciness from aged ginger, and a rich, nutty flavor from roasted peanuts. Besides chè lam, people also make peanut candy, sesame candy, or other types of candy, each with its own unique flavor.

A cup of tea is an essential accompaniment to those snacks. Sometimes it's a cup of amber-colored vối tea brewed from fresh vối leaves, a refreshing cup of nhân trần tea, or a cup of freshly brewed green tea with its rich aroma.

Those who prefer a strong flavor will sip on hot tea brewed from loose-leaf tea, while those who shy away from the summer heat will ask for a glass of iced tea. While enjoying their drinks and savoring some traditional snacks, they can also listen to the sweet, gentle accent of the Đoài region with its distinctive intonation and rhythm.

If you had to choose one must-buy souvenir from Duong Lam, many people would immediately think of Phu Nhi rice cakes. These small, elongated cakes, wrapped in dong leaves or banana leaves, contain a layer of finely ground rice flour embracing a filling of minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and scallions. The cakes are best when freshly steamed and still hot in your hand.

Therefore, many food stalls still keep steamers on their charcoal stoves so that customers always have freshly made cakes whenever they visit. Some people like to dip the cakes in fish sauce mixed with a few slices of chili, while others love to eat them with sticky rice paste – a famous local sauce made by hand from sticky rice and soybeans. The nutty flavor of the rice flour coating, the rich and fragrant taste of the meat filling, and the mild sweetness of the sticky rice paste make this rustic dish an unforgettable experience.

Perhaps that's why visiting Duong Lam is not only about touching the cool laterite stone walls or admiring the ancient communal houses and buildings bearing the marks of time, but also about finding peace and enjoying rustic local delicacies – a part of the memories that have been preserved for generations.

VAN TUAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ve-duong-lam-thuong-thuc-qua-que-post855245.html