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Discover Dong Van Rice Rolls | The Delights of Ha Giang Cuisine

08:08 - 02/11/2024

5/5 - (2 votes)

Dong Van Rice Rolls, a dish that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also embodies the rich cultural heritage of the Ha Giang. Everybody looking for a real gastronomic experience here should definitely try these rice rolls. Let MOTOGO Tours explore the core of this amazing dish.

Overview about Dong Van Rice Rolls

Ha Giang, which lies northwest of Vietnam, not only features breathtaking scenery but also a range of mouthwatering indigenous cuisine well-known both close by and far. Among these are some really good delicacies include Thang Den, smoked buffalo meat from Ha Giang, and Au Tau porridge. Dong Van rice rolls are one meal that really stands out for its originality though.

For Vietnamese people, rice rolls are a common and well-liked meal found not just in other areas but also in Ha Giang, where they have been modified to become very unique. Dong Van rice rolls enthral guests with its rich, creamy taste from the first mouthful, unlike the strong flavours of Thang Co or the harshness of Au Tau porridge.

Originally thought of as a modest local meal, Dong Van rice rolls’ unique taste has made them a popular speciality among visitors from both home countries. These rice buns have a great appeal even without complex ingredients or sophisticated presentation.

Dong Van rice rolls first seem to be somewhat similar to rice rolls found elsewhere. Still, you only find the fresh experience they present when you taste them. Made by hand, these rice rolls—served hot—are quite thin, delicate, and smell wonderfully of glutinous rice.

There are two popular types of Dong Van rice rolls: meat-filled rolls and egg rolls. The meat-filled version is made similarly to those in the lowland provinces, with the filling consisting of pork and wood ear mushrooms. In contrast, the egg-filled rolls offer a completely unique taste that has gained a loyal following.

For the full experience, Dong Van rice rolls cannot be enjoyed without a bowl of dipping sauce. When indulging, you’ll dip the rolls in a broth made with scallions, cilantro, and fragrant bits of pork sausage.To offset the strong tastes of the broth, you can add slices of lime, pepper, and chilli, thereby improving the whole taste of the meal.

The Unique Aspects of Ha Giang’s Dong Van Rice Rolls

Dong Van’s rice rolls are a harmonic mix of the best ingredients, expertly created by hands of experience. The main components are eggs, cilantro, onions, rice flour, pig bones, pork sausage (spring rolls), and key seasonings.

Like other types of rice rolls, Dong Van rice rolls are made from rice flour. However, the rice used is meticulously chosen. It is sourced from local farmers who cultivate and care for the rice on the expansive terraced fields. When September and October arrive, the golden rice is harvested and milled.

At this stage, the rice makers carefully select only the plump, firm grains. To this day, the rice is ground using hand-cranked stone mills, resulting in flour that is exceptionally white and fine. Furthermore, the flour is soaked in water overnight, allowing the rice rolls to be aromatic and tender once they are steamed.

Regarding the stuffing, pork and wood ear mushrooms make up most of it. Lean and delicious, pork originates from black pigs reared by the H’Mong people. Local harvest of the wood ear mushrooms guarantees a natural and safe source from the mountainous area.

The most significant distinction of Dong Van rice lies rolls in the dipping sauce. While other regions typically use diluted fish sauce mixed with garlic and chili for dipping, Ha Giang locals dip their rice rolls in a rich broth made from simmered pork bones. This sauce is incredibly sweet, fragrant, and flavorful.

How to Make Authentic Dong Van Rice Rolls

Making Dong Van rice rolls follows not much different from the techniques applied elsewhere. The fundamental procedures—pouring the batter onto a cloth, covering it, and rolling the rice cake—remain the same even if the rice flour is steamed and thinly spread. Still, one cannot ignore the vital stage of making the dipping sauce.

The chef first must ground sticky rice into a fine, white flour. The ordinary rice flour is then steeped in water overnight to enable equal swelling of the grains. This guarantees that, when presented to clients, the rice rolls will be soft and silky. The batter next gets a little seasoning added to it and swirled till totally dissolved.

While waiting for the seasoning to blend, you can prepare the filling for the rice rolls. Start by finely grinding the pork. Meanwhile, locals chop shiitake mushrooms and green onions. Then, mix all the ingredients with pepper, seasoning powder, monosodium glutamate, and salt.

The next step is rolling the rice cake. Locals shovel the batter into the steaming tray with big ladles. Measurement of just the correct amount of batter is crucial to get a thin and chewy texture. Using too little may cause the rice roll to rip readily; using too much will make the roll thick and difficult to chew.

Rolling calls for a deft hand. An equal coating of batter on the tray depends on quick and agile motions. Cover the uniformly distributed batter and wait roughly two minutes for the rice roll to cook. The vendor lifts the roll out of the tray and places it on a platter using chopsticks as soon as it is cooked, therefore preserving its heat and softness by the time it reaches the guests.

After laying the rice rolls on the platter, a sufficient amount of filling is added to ensure the rolls are neither too large nor too small. Then, the rice roll is carefully rolled up to finish the dish. If you are making egg rice rolls, the egg should be cracked in before lifting the roll and adding the filling. This rolling process must be done with care to prevent tearing or breaking.

Dong Van rice rolls’ soul is, quite likely, in the dipping sauce. Making the dipping sauce for Ha Giang rice rolls is very exacting. To get any cloudiness out of the pig bones, they first have to be carefully cleaned before boiling. The bones then boil for four to five hours to produce a rich, sweet, aromatic broth.

To provide a different and unique taste, the soup is also flavoured with aromatic sausage, green onions, shallots, cilantro, together with a trace of pepper, chilli, and lime. Indulging in this cuisine will definitely enthral you with the wonderful taste derived from the mountains and forests.

Delicious Dong Van Rice Rolls Eateries in Ha Giang

While traditionally a breakfast dish, rice rolls have gained popularity as a beloved meal throughout the day. To save you time searching for the best rice roll spots, you can choose guided tours like Ha Giang Loop. They will provide delicious Dong Van Rice Rolls eateries in Ha Giang.

1. Ms. Ha’s Rice Roll Restaurant

Address: No. 31 Old Town, Ha Giang City, Ha Giang Province
Price Range: 30,000 – 80,000 VND
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 12 PM

Among the most popular rice roll spots in Dong Van is Ms. Ha’s restaurant, located at 31 Old Town. The rice rolls here are particularly loved for their deliciousness. They are soft, filled with rich, runny egg yolks, combined with minced meat and mushrooms, making them irresistible. What sets Ms. Ha’s rice rolls apart is the fragrant sprinkle of cilantro and fried onions on top, enhancing their deliciousness.

2. Ms. Cuc’s Restaurant

Address: Opposite Social Insurance Office, Ha Giang City, Ha Giang Province
Price Range: 25,000 – 50,000 VND
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 10 AM

Ms. Cuc’s Restaurant has been a mainstay for many years, situated beside the Social Insurance Office in Ha Giang City. Not only are the food here excellent but long-time patrons have also given them tremendous compliments. Furthermore, the rates are really reasonable—between 25,000 and 50,000 VND every serving. Since the restaurant runs from 6 AM to 10 AM, it is advisable to attend early to comfortably enjoy your lunch.

3. Ms. Tu Lan’s Restaurant

Address: No. 125, Group 3, Dong Van Town, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
Price Range: Updating
Opening Hours: All Day

The rice roll restaurant Ms. Tu Lan’s is among Dong Van’s mouthwatering establishments. This restaurant situated 125 Group 3 in the Old Town of Dong Van, conveniently beside the Old Town coffee shop. At Ms. Tu Lan, the silky rice rolls—served with savoury broth and regional spices—are the highlight meal. You can also savour a range of well-known Ha Giang delicacies including dried meat, five-color sticky rice, sausages.

4. Ngân Nga Rice Roll

Address: Sung Dung Lu, Dong Van Town, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
Price Range: 30,000 – 50,000 VND
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 10 PM

Ngân Nga Rice Roll is situated on the Dong Van Stone Plateau in Sung Dung Lu, Dong Van Town. Renowned for its unusual cooking technique, the restaurant breaks an egg into the rice flour mixture to produce a pillow-shaped roll. This unique quality makes a lasting effect on guests. Serving the rice rolls with a thick broth and ham gives an appealing taste.

5. Ms. Bich’s Egg Rice Roll

Address: No. 29 Old Town, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
Price Range: 30,000 – 40,000 VND
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 12 PM

Ms. Bich’s restaurant is a famous rice roll spot known for its exceptional quality and high reputation. Considered as one of the most reasonably priced rice roll restaurants in Dong Van, their rates range from 30,000 to 40,000 VND. The taste of Ms. Bich’s restaurant’s rice rolls—which pair well with a sweet broth—is also much complimented. All eaters find the thin, soft, chewy rice rolls appetising as they lack starch.

6. Tien Nhi Restaurant

Address: Old Market, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
Price Range: 50,000 – 300,000 VND
Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM

Tien Nhi Restaurant is just across from the entrance to the ancient town and market, in Dong Van. Famous for its varied and delicious menu, Tien Nhi features pangasius fish, sturgeon, char siu, dried buffalo meat, and smoked pork among its appealing delicacies. As so, numerous travel companies visiting Ha Giang find it to be a sought-after location. Operating from 9 AM to 9 PM, the restaurant charges dish prices ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 VND.

7. Ngõ Ba Rice Rolls

Address: Dong Van Center, Ha Giang Province
Price Range: 20,000 – 80,000 VND
Opening Hours: 6 AM – 12 PM

Well-known Ha Giang institution Ngõ Ba Rice Roll has been around for decades, handing down its rice roll recipe. Here the rolls are soft, smelling delicately of rice and have a savoury beef and mushroom filling seasoned with lots of pepper. Those who enjoy spicy tastes could wish to take some thought on substitutes like the rich egg rice rolls. Daily the restaurant opens from 6 AM till 12 PM.

Dong Van Rice Rolls are a cultural relic that chronicles the life of Ha Giang people, not only a meal. Whether you’re cooking them at home or enjoying them in a busy market, these rice rolls provide a flavour of custom that is both great and significant. Thus, make sure not to miss this wonderful gastronomic adventure the next time you visit Ha Giang!

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