Sandwich shop goodies #15 – Bánh quy (turtle mochi)
Of my two hundred fifty some posts so far, this Sandwich Shop Goodies series brings me the most joy when writing and also takes me the longest time per post. It’s a collection of the bits and pieces that cost next to nothing. You may say why of course, how can a mere grad student afford The Slanted Door, The French Laundry, or our local Chez Panisse et al. Now although my salary certainly factors in my grocery list, the truth is I’ve lost interest in the uptown food scene. It dazzles like fireworks, and also like fireworks, it doesn’t stay. The mixing and matching of the freshest and strangest ingredients has blended so many nationalities into one that it loses culture like a smoothie losing texture. Those fancinesses don’t have a home. Meanwhile, I can spend days googling an obscure street snack and still regret that I haven’t spent more time, because I know that someone somewhere out there has an interesting story surrounding its identity that I haven’t heard. With such food there’s more than what goes into the pot that I can mention. For example, a simple sticky rice treat has made its way into an idiom, no less.
For twenty five years I’ve heard and used the expression “bánh ít trao đi, bánh quy trao lại” (“give bánh ít, get bánh quy” or “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”) in a million occasions, but not once did I know what bánh quy was. At home we call cookies bánh bích-quy (biscuit) and some shorten it to bánh quy, but the biscuit and the bánh ít are too different from each other to be consider equivalents, and it’s reasonable to guess that the idiom came about before the introduction of Western food into Vietnam. So confused I was. Then one day while foraging the pile of snacks at Alpha Bakery, I almost flipped backward as I found a package of three green mochi’s labeled “bánh quy“.
They’re round and flat at the bottom, each placed on a small cut of banana leaf, purposefully shaped like a turtle shell resting on wet grass. If you look closely you can even see some faint crevices near the rim. So there, mystery unveiled: “quy” means “turtle” in Han-Viet, and the banh gets its name from its look.
Content-wise, bánh quy is indeed just a smaller, rounder, flatter version of bánh ít: sticky rice, tapioca starch, salt, sugar, oil, and a sweet filling. Back in the day, the turtles had either a red or a yellow dot to distinguish between coconut and mung bean paste, but it seems these days only the coconut turtles are still around. Each banh is just big enough and tall enough to fit snuggly in a baby’s palm. Two or three adult bites and you suddenly wonder, hey, where did my sugary, chewy soft bun go?
Buy three at the store for $1.50. Also, look for this other type of bánh ít: bánh gai (bánh ít with thorn leaf extract)
Address: Alpha Bakery & Deli (inside Hong Kong City Mall)
11209 Bellaire Blvd # C-02
Houston, TX 77072-2548
(281) 988-5222
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh da lợn (pig skin pie)
This post is submitted to Delicious Vietnam #12, April edition, hosted by Anh of A Food’s Lover Journey. I’m so looking forward to the roundup this month!
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect site.
1Some truly grand work on behalf of the owner of this web site, utterly great articles.
2I was studying some of your content on this site and I conceive this web site is really instructive! Keep putting up.
3I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i am glad to express that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I such a lot certainly will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and give it a look on a continuing basis.
4After examine a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and will likely be checking back soon. Pls take a look at my web page as effectively and let me know what you think.
5Thanks for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
6This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
7Wonderful paintings! That is the kind of information that are meant to be shared around the net. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper! Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)
8Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to seek out anyone with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is one thing that’s wanted on the internet, somebody with slightly originality. useful job for bringing something new to the internet!
9great post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
10This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
11I’ve learn several excellent stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you put to make one of these excellent informative website.
12Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
13I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website 🙂
14Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
15Sweet website , super style and design, real clean and utilize pleasant.
16Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
17WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
18Some truly marvellous work on behalf of the owner of this internet site, perfectly outstanding articles.
19Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
20Awesome blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any tips? Bless you!
21I have read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a excellent informative website.
22Really nice layout and good subject material, absolutely nothing else we need :D.
23I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
24It’s arduous to find educated people on this matter, however you sound like you realize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
25Yay google is my king assisted me to find this great web site! .
26I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
27I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
28I wanted to develop a simple remark so as to thank you for these great advice you are placing at this website. My prolonged internet investigation has at the end of the day been honored with awesome strategies to go over with my family and friends. I would claim that many of us visitors are unquestionably endowed to exist in a very good site with very many awesome professionals with beneficial advice. I feel somewhat grateful to have encountered your web site and look forward to plenty of more entertaining minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once again for everything.
29I’m not sure why but this website is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
30Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort.
31My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking over your web page for a second time.
32I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I will learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
33Hi, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!
34I am pleased that I detected this weblog, just the right info that I was searching for! .
35An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
36Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website truly stands out :D.
37I always was interested in this subject and still am, regards for putting up.
38I always was interested in this topic and stock still am, appreciate it for posting.
39Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and wonderful design.
40I truly wanted to send a remark to be able to say thanks to you for these magnificent strategies you are giving out at this website. My time consuming internet look up has at the end been compensated with professional information to share with my friends and classmates. I would admit that many of us site visitors are very fortunate to exist in a really good place with so many brilliant professionals with good tricks. I feel extremely blessed to have used your website page and look forward to really more fabulous minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once again for everything.
41What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist different users like its aided me. Great job.
42I’ll immediately snatch your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me realize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
43I am not really superb with English but I line up this very easygoing to read .
44I am constantly searching online for posts that can benefit me. Thx!
45Its excellent as your other posts : D, thanks for putting up. “The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.” by Ted W. Engstrom.
46F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very glad to peer your article. Thank you so much and i’m having a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
47Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it
48Real clean website , thankyou for this post.
49Wonderful blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely confused .. Any tips? Kudos!
50