The delicacies of Hanoi appearing in folk verses and proverbs.

Known as a land of 1000-year civilization, Hanoi has a convergence of dainty morsels from all parts of the country. Thanks to the refinement and talent of Hanoians, Hanoi holds a unique culinary culture. It is not too surprising that Hanoi cuisine is a material of oral literature such as simple folk verses and proverbs.

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If food fans come to Hanoi, they will be extremely interesting in many food-inspired street names or village names such as Cha Ca evokes grilled chopped fish, Hang Chao evokes rice soup, etc.

So over time, many streets or villages were named after their special delicacies which naturally appear in Vietnamese literature.

Com (Young green rice)

When Autumn comes, it goes along with a lingering fragrance of com or young green rice which enchants Hanoians as well as many tourists in Hanoi. Com contains the delicate sweetness of Hanoi. Its flavor further enhanced by wrapped with the lotus leaf. It’s usually served with bananas to create a flavor that the eaters will never forget.

“Green rice brings scent in your little hands.

              Leaves fragrance in your footsteps.”

Com (Young green rice)Banh cuon ( Steamed rice rolls)

Thanh Tri, Hanoi, a land of the abundance of produce, has been famous for Banh cuon (steamed rice rolls). Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls always have the power to charm those who have enjoyed it. Banh cuon is made from the best rice. The soaked rice is grounded into powder that is then mixed with enough water and then coated on a white cloth with a paper-thin layer to cover the mouth of the water pot at 100 degrees C. Banh cuon is extremely soft and delicious. When emphasizing the taste of banh cuon, people usually think about the folk saying:

“Thanh Tri, banh cuon – a must try,

 Stands mound Ngu Nhac, passes by the Red river”

Bun Oc ( Snail rice vermicelli)

Another favored autumn food in Hanoi is snails and crabs vermicelli because snails and crabs are at their freshest during this season. This time evokes a delicacy – “Tu Ky rice vermicelli” ( the vermicelli is wrapped with lotus leaf). Thanks to the special landform, Phap Van paddy land has lots of snails and crabs. And Tu Ky vermicelli gives the eaters the special taste of aromatic, soft, delicious. Enjoying a bowl of snails vermicelli for breakfast not only for full but also feel the delicacy of a cuisine art.

“ Tu Ky, noodles is the best,

Apple snails (at) Phap Van are as good as rumoured”

Nem (Spring rolls)

Every year, when spring comes around, on Tet food trays are spring rolls which are so special that they cannot be missed. In a folk poem was it marked as the special taste of “cha Dai” at Nhon Street:

“Visting Nhon, and Lai

 a must try dish, the name cha Dai”

(Nhon, Lai are names of the streets)

Cá rô (Perch)

In daily life, gourmets come to Dam Set which is famous for perch whose meat is delicious and grease. In the past, perch used to be offered to the king:

“List of specialties:

coming Quang, must try lychee,

coriander, mint leaves, the first see at Dam, Lang

Finding the best food to offer the King

Sét Pond’s perch, Ho Tay’s coots, we’re coming”

(Quang, Dam, Lang are names of 3 villages)

It is said that Set pond, was previously Kim Nguu river, connected to the West Lake. When the river flew through Set village, it dried up then became a large pond. The perch in the pond gets its freshest at the end of autumn. Many delicious dishes are made out of perch such as fried perch, braised perch with sauce, steamed perch with sticky rice, etc; especially, the simplest but the best dish is vegetable soup with perch.

Hanoi also owns many products that seem to be very rustic and familiar. These special products were written in the folk verse presenting many villages, towns and markets are famous for their special things such as the best guavas in Dinh Cong village, longans in Quang village,  good gold bought at To village, fishing at Xom Van, lychees at Bang Thuong, watermelons – should try at Bang Ha, crabs at Linh Dam,  the best choy sum at Tieu village, jackfruits sold at Dong market, etc.

Cuisine and culinary culture of Hanoi are so familiar with Hanoians, as well the materials of folk verses, proverbs which touch people’s awareness in a gentle and emotional way. The folk verses and proverbs not only describe the taste of Hanoi’s delicacies but also are the valuable document that is passed on to next generations to preserve and develop Hanoi culture.

 

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