Wandering on the streets of Vietnam in the early morning, visitors can easily see the image of a line of people crammed together at a street corner, impatiently waiting. Taking a step closer, we could see in the crowd, a woman sitting with a small basket, constantly serving strange dishes on banana leaves. It is Xoi – one of the most popular Vietnamese fast foods.
Photo: vietnamnet.vn
What is sticky rice?
“Sticky rice”; or “sticky rice”, “sweet rice”, “sticky rice” in English; can be found in many Asian cuisines, especially in Southeast Asian regions. To cook sticky rice, Vietnamese people often soak glutinous rice for about 4 hours until the seeds absorb enough water. After that, the rice will be drained and steamed dry so that the rice grains are intact, soft but not mushy, sticking together into a lump.
Photo: 24h.com.vn
Sometimes people can also make sticky rice with a rice cooker, with the same method as when cooking regular rice. However, the seeds will break under direct heat, becoming glue-like and soggy.
Sticky rice can be eaten at any time of the day, but usually, Vietnamese people often choose it as a delicious and cheap dish for their breakfast.
Types of Sticky Rice
From a mainstream plain white “sticky rice”, there have been nearly a hundred variations created. Usually, sticky rice can be steamed with other nuts such as green beans (including red green beans), corn, peanuts, etc.
Like many other street foods of Vietnam, sticky rice is a dish “enjoy it your way”, because people are free to eat and drink with whatever they want according to their personal preferences!
For breakfast, people often eat sticky rice with ruoc – salty, chewy dried pork; “salt- ground sesame salt; or even just fried shallots and a tablespoon of vegetable oil. It will cost about 7000VND-10000VND for a simple set of sticky rice. Others may serve their “sticky rice” with braised eggs, braised meat, “sausages”- Chinese sausages, “spring rolls”- Vietnamese spring rolls, or chicken breasts, chicken thighs; but the price will be higher, from 15000 VND even 50000 VND.
Different regions have different types of sticky rice with distinct flavors. In the mountainous North of Vietnam, ethnic minorities are very proud of their five-color sticky rice. Sticky rice is cooked with special local herbs that are red, black, purple and yellow. No food coloring is used, all natural and good for your health.
Photo: dienmayxanh.com
Hanoi, the capital, is famous for sticky rice with sticky rice – a delicacy only available in autumn. Along with white coconut, the fragrant sweet nuggets will leave a long aftertaste. In the South of Vietnam, coconut milk and pandan leaves are also added, making sticky rice a perfect sweet dessert for dinner.
Photo: pasgo.com
See the most popular types of sticky rice here
Where to try Xoi?
Sticky rice can often be bought at small street vendors in the morning. Let’s go back to the image of the woman selling sticky rice on the street that we just witnessed. All she needed for the shopkeeper was a bamboo basket full of sticky rice (warmed with a thin blanket) and a few small bottles of shrimp paste, seasoning sauce, fried shallots… it was enough. customer’s need. Most of the sellers every day sit in one place, usually in front of the school gate, office, street corner. Customers will come, order and they will be served within three minutes. Yes, it’s only three minutes, that’s why sticky rice is considered one of Vietnam’s fast food!
There’s nothing more interesting than seeing people buying sticky rice on the street. The seller is in the middle, with all the customers standing around, waiting for their turn. Customers can check their meals as the seller serves them, see if the seller cuts them down, or try to get more sticky rice for the same price. They express their requirements directly with “add this”, “no not too much of that”, and the miracle is that the salespeople always respond to their satisfaction.
A portion of sticky rice is usually wrapped in three, a layer of banana leaves, a layer of recycled paper or old newspaper, and a plastic bag outside; to keep warm while eating.
Sticky rice plays an essential role in the life of Vietnamese people and is an indispensable dish in many rituals. On Tet (Lunar New Year in Vietnam), every family will cook Gac sticky rice with bitter melon, in the belief that its attractive red color will bring good luck for the whole new year. Students also eat sticky rice with green beans the day before the exam in the hope of passing with a high score, and avoid eating peanut sticky rice for fear of misinterpreting the requirements of the test (in Vietnamese, mung bean means pass – pass). and peanut means “lac” – misunderstanding).
Some contain corn while others contain peanuts. Some have a black bean color while others have a salty taste of sesame seeds. Sticky rice is one of the most filling options for a meal and costs almost no more than 20,000 VND (about one US dollar). It is served hot or cold, wrapped in banana leaves or plastic wrap.
Most Vietnamese have sticky rice for breakfast and all local markets will have at least one lady with several baskets selling this specialty. While the presence of sticky rice in the local market seems to be permanent, more and more restaurants specializing in sticky rice and others are trying to include sticky rice in their menus. If you visit Vietnam, try sticky rice with any of your meals to feel the aroma of lotus or green beans and enjoy Vietnamese rice in an unusual way.
Source: https://traveland.com.vn
