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Banh cuon Thanh Tri: A delicious dish not to be missed when visiting Hanoi

08:15 - 27/10/2024

5/5 - (1 vote)

Rich and varied culinary customs abound in Vietnam, and one meal that really shines is Banh cuon Thanh Tri, or steamed rice rolls. Especially in Hanoi, this delicate and savory meal is a mainstay of Northern Vietnam. Let MOTOGO Tours highlight the subtle tastes of this cuisine.

Vietnam is a country known for its rich and diverse culinary traditions, and one dish that stands out is Banh cuon Thanh Tri or Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls — Vietnam is a country known for its rich and diverse culinary traditions, and one dish that stands out is Banh cuon Thanh Tri. ( Source: Collected)

The Origin of Banh cuon Thanh Tri

Originating in Thanh Tri, a suburban area of Hanoi renowned for its long-standing custom of creating this famous meal, Banh cuon Thanh Tri started in Its history goes millennia, with tales of people honing the craft of creating thin, steamed rice sheets handed down through the years. The indigenous knowledge and technique required in making paper-thin sheets of rice flour that melt in your tongue distinguishes Thanh Tri rice rolls.

Banh cuon Thanh Tri known for its long-standing tradition of making this iconic dish ( Source: Collected)

Banh cuon in Thanh Tri is a cultural emblem rather than only cuisine. Usually, this meal was presented for celebrations, family get-togethers, and neighborhood gatherings. It shows the inventiveness of the Vietnamese people in transforming basic foods including rice, water, and mushrooms into a delicacy bringing people together. It has developed over years from a festival meal into a well-liked morning cuisine both for residents and visitors.

How Banh cuon Thanh Tri Differs from Other Varieties

Although banh cuon is rather common in Vietnam, Thanh Tri rice buns have certain special qualities. Usually loaded with a delicate blend of minced wood ear mushrooms and occasionally fried shallots, these rolls Perfect steaming of the paper-thin rice sheets produces a light but pleasing texture.

Banh cuon Thanh Tri’s ingredients

Banh cuon Thanh Tri’s simplicity comes from its components; nevertheless, getting the ideal taste and texture calls for expertise:

Rice flour (preferably from high-quality Thanh Tri rice)
Water
Wood ear mushrooms (for the filling)
Fried shallots (optional)
Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce)
Fresh herbs like cilantro and mint for garnish

Soft rice rolls, crispy shallots, and the umami-rich dipping sauce used together produce the ideal mix of textures and flavors.

Banh cuon Thanh Tri's simplicity comes from its components — Banh cuon Thanh Tri’s simplicity comes from its components ( Source: Collected)

>>> Let’s see more: Bun thang Hanoi: Discover the Delicate Noodle Soup of Vietnam’s Capital

Step-by-step Process of Making Banh cuon Thanh Tri

Although Banh cuon Thanh Tri seems easy, it’s an artistic medium that calls accuracy.

Step 1: Preparing the Rice Flour Batter

Locals sometimes soak premium rice overnight before grinding it into a smooth, fine flour in order to make the ideal rice flour batter. Next, this flour is combined with water to create a batter with just the correct consistency—not too thick nor too runny. The thin, translucent rice sheets Thanh Tri is renowned for depend on the batter.

Step 2: Creating the Filling for Banh cuon Thanh Tri

Usually maintained light and vegetarian, Banh cuon Thanh Tri is made from finely chopped wood ear mushrooms mostly combined with sometimes minced shallots. This simplicity accentuates the freshness of the ingredients by letting the taste of the rice roll stand through.

Step 3: Steaming the Rice Rolls

Ladled onto a cloth laid over a saucepan of boiling water, the batter is rapidly steam-cooked until it forms a thin, delicate sheet. This sheet is then softly folded around the filling and laid on a platter.

This sheet is then gently rolled around the filling and placed onto a serving dish. ( Source: Collected)

Where to Find the Best Banh cuon Thanh Tri? Top 10 Must-Try Locations

Savoring Hanoi’s rich and varied gastronomic scene is among the most remarkable encounters one may have there. Among the several gastronomic pleasures available in the city, Thanh Tri rice buns are among the most often consumed ones by visitors. Still, not every location perfectly embodies the real flavor of this local specialty as these 10 highly recommended sites do.

1. Thanh Tri Rice Rolls – Dai Dong: Full, Soft, and Smooth

Address: 21 Dai Dong Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND

Visit Dai Dong Street if you search for a real Thanh Tri rice roll experience. Richly loaded with ingredients, the rolls here are soft, smooth, and absolutely intact. Here, a unique touch is that the rolls are presented with grilled beef rather than the traditional pig sausage (cha).

If you're looking for an authentic Thanh Tri rice roll experience, head to Dai Dong Street. — If you’re looking for an authentic Thanh Tri rice roll experience, head to Dai Dong Street. ( Source: Collected)

>>> Let’s see more: Cha Ca: Turmeric-Marinated Fish with Dill and Noodles – A Hanoi Delicacy

2. Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh

Address: 66 To Hien Thanh Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: 30,000 – 60,000 VND per person

No top banh cuon list Thanh Tri locations in Hanoi are whole without mentioning Ba Hoanh, a historically significant site. Usually eaten over crispy fried shallots and fatty cinnamon pig sausage (cha que), the thin, chewy rice buns here are One further option is grilled meat as a side dish. This area, which is close to Hoan Kiem Lake, is constantly packed and although you might have to wait for a table, the tastes make it well worth your time.

The rice rolls here are thin and chewy, typically enjoyed with fatty cinnamon pork sausage (cha que) and crispy fried shallots. ( Source: Collected)

3. Banh cuon Ba Xuan

Address: 16 Hoe Nhai Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 12:30 AM
Price: 15,000 – 30,000 VND

Visual pleasing rice buns topped with aromatic scallion oil will be served at Ba Xuan’s restaurant. When combined with fresh herbs and cinnamon pork sausage, this meal provides a really great gastronomic experience.

At Ba Xuan’s restaurant, you'll be treated to visually appealing rice rolls drizzled with flavorful scallion oil. — At Ba Xuan’s restaurant, you’ll be treated to visually appealing rice rolls drizzled with flavorful scallion oil. ( Source: Collected)

4. Banh Cuon Phuong

Address: 17 O Quan Chuong Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Price: 15,000 – 50,000 VND per person

Ideally situated on O Quan Chuong Street, this area draws a lot of visitors investigating the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Although the rice rolls are typical of other restaurants, this one distinguishes itself with the dipping sauce. Using the ingredients set on the table, diners can mix their own fish sauce to taste.

Banh cuon Phương attracts many tourists exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter. ( Source: Collected)

5. Banh cuon Thanh Tri Co Lan

Address: 30 Thanh Dam Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: 20,000 VND per person

Try Co Lan’s if you still find yourself wondering where to get the best Thanh Tri rice rolls. topped with wood ear mushrooms, minced pork, and crispy fried shallots—a basic but delectable mix—the rolls here are chewy and fragrant.

If you're still wondering where to find the best Thanh Tri rice rolls, you must try Co Lan — If you’re still wondering where to find the best Thanh Tri rice rolls, you must try Co Lan ( Source: Collected)

6. Banh cuon Thanh Tri on Hang Bo Street

Address: 57A Hang Bo Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Price: 15,000 VND per person

Though merely a little street vendor on Hang Bo, this location is always crowded with patrons. Enough to entice any guest are the paper-thin, melt-in-your-mouth rice rolls combined with aromatic fried shallots.

Humble Street Food Delight – Thanh Tri Rice Rolls on Hang Bo Street — Humble street food delight – Thanh Tri Rice Rolls on Hang Bo Street ( Source: Collected)

7. Banh cuon Phu Ly – Cua Bac Street

Address: 14 Cua Bac Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: 20,000 VND per person

Though a Hanoi specialty, many guests also appreciate the Phu Ly variety of Thanh Tri rice buns. Made from non-glutinous rice flour and devoid of a meat filling, this variation has a thicker texture but still maintains a soft and chewy characteristic.

Banh cuon Phu Ly made from non-glutinous rice flour and without a meat filling ( Source: Collected)

8. Banh cuon Thinh Hao

Address: 11 Thinh Hao 2 Alley, Hanoi
Opening hours: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: 10,000 – 20,000 VND per plate

Thinh Hao’s rice rolls have been established for more than 20 years, a recognized name to residents in Dong Da district. Renowned for its fast delivery and polite service, this place presents classic Thanh Tri rice rolls with tantalizing toppings.

Thinh Hao’s rice rolls have been around for over 20 years. ( Source: Collected)

9. Banh Cuon Bao Khanh – A Must-Try Hidden Gem

Address: 14 Bao Khanh Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: 15,000 – 40,000 VND per person

Not sure where to get reasonably priced Thanh Tri rice rolls? Try the highly renowned Bao Khanh Street among the residents. Here you will find eight Thanh Tri rice rolls together with two sides of either grilled pig sausage or chicken sausage. It’s the ideal energy boost for your ongoing tour trips across Hanoi.

Here, you’ll enjoy eight pieces of Thanh Tri rice rolls along with two sides of either grilled meat ( Source: Collected)

10. Banh cuon Be Van Dan

Address: 171 Be Van Dan Street, Hanoi
Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per person

This establishment, on Be Van Dan Street, is well-known for its exquisitely thin rice buns stuffed with rich contents. The highlight that improves the meal is the dipping sauce, with its own depth and scent.

This spot is famous for its delicately thin rice rolls packed with flavorful fillings. ( Source: Collected)

In a nation renowned for its street cuisine, Banh cuon Thanh Tri is especially symbolic of Vietnamese creativity and custom. It’s a special gastronomic experience you should not miss its light texture, earthy stuffing, and savory dipping sauce. Trying Banh cuon Thanh Tri can help you to appreciate Vietnam’s rich cuisine scene whether your taste is more for food or for trip seeking real experiences.

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