Sandwich Shop Goodies 6 – bánh dừa (coconut sticky rice stick)
If anything can be called the Vietnamese granola bar, it’s bánh dừa.
Coconut bánh. The simple name lends room for innocent confusions with the French Coco au Miel, the Malaysian kuih binka gandum, the coconut cookies, and a whole flock of other Vietnamese coconut treats also known as bánh dừa (with some additives like “grilled”, “honeyed”, or “lemon”). People of the deep south don’t get too fancy with names: when the bánh has coconut milk mixed with sticky rice and is wrapped in coconut leaves, it has every right to be call a coconut bánh. Besides, children identify it by the unique look.
A stiff, almost cylindrical case, as long as a palm and almost two fingers wide, is made from wrapping one single young coconut leaf around hours of training, to protect the glutinous rice and bean paste core for days in the tropics’ heat. The one I bought stays good for two weeks in the fridge, unwrapped.
Such longevity expectedly costs a good deal of skill and time. Wax sticky rice, a special cultivar in Vĩnh Long known for its gumminess and fragrance, is soaked in water at midnight. The banh makers wake up at 4am to wash the sticky rice as carefully as six to seven times to get rid of bran and dirt, the first step to delay spoilage. Washed sticky rice is then air dried, while the banh makers squeeze coconut milk out of grated coconut and wrap up the leafy tubes, which could turn an ugly wilting purple unless put in the shade. Dried sticky rice is mixed with coconut milk, salt and sugar, sometimes black beans, into a gooey mess to be portioned into the tubes. The first one third of the tube is sticky rice, then comes mung bean paste or half a ripe banana, and more sticky rice to fill up the tube. I will forever be puzzled by how to make the sweet filling perfectly in the middle of the sticky rice layer. There is also no clear instruction on how to tie up the banh with a string, but rest assured that there are many ways to get it wrong. If the string is too tight, sticky rice can’t rise and your bánh dừa is one dry stick. If the string is too loose, water vapor seeps in while steaming, your bánh dừa becomes half-porridge and spoils fast.
By 7am all wrapping is done, banh makers throw their sticks, now strung together in small bundles, into the boiling steamer for a solid 5 hours. The steam water is often mixed with alum to keep the case’s healthy yellow color, but too much alum can make the banh turn sour. At noon, fresh bánh dừa is ready for the markets.
Holding the light and compact banh in hand, I picture country kids of the Mekong Delta stick these coconut sticky rice sticks in their pockets and school bags for an early morning in the rice paddies, an afterlunch snack, a quick filler while running around with the kites. The coconut leaf unwraps swiftly with no effort, reveal a firm and chewy, fatty and nutty, salty and earthy treat that requires no reheating or refrigerating. Some may see it as merely a miniature bánh tét, but the coconut leaf gives bánh dừa its signature fragrance and a deserving separation from the banana leaf wrappers.
Bánh dừa is cheap. Ten years ago the Southern Vietnamese villagers sold them for 500VND a stick. Inflation brings it up to 2000VND these days, roughly 11 US cents. The ones in San Jose banh mi stores cost one wild buck each, but they often lie on the counter unnoticed for who knows how long. “Posh” customers don’t go for the leafy wrapped treats when plastic and styrofoam and colorful packaging look more sanitized. City kids are not attracted to these because they don’t scream chocolate and sugar. Like the old country ham of North Carolina, bánh dừa has fallen out of the trend, and most of their makers have long put away the steamers for something more profitable.
I had a bánh dừa for dinner today. How much longer will its kind stay in the market to compete against the Western sweets? I don’t know.
————————–
Got it from: Kim’s Sandwiches
(in the Lion Supermarket area)
1816 Tully Rd 182, San Jose, CA 95111
(408) 270-8903
—————————
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh khảo/bánh in
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bắp hầm (Vietnamese whole kernel grits)
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, particularly since I was investigating for thoughts on this issue last Wednesday.
1Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
2Very well written information. It will be valuable to everyone who usess it, as well as me. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
3Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
4Thank you for another informative web site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such an ideal means? I’ve a mission that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
5I really like your writing style, superb information, regards for putting up :D.
6whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, a lot of people are looking around for this information, you can help them greatly.
7Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
8Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect web site.
9Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
10Would love to perpetually get updated outstanding web blog! .
11I’m not sure exactly why but this site is loading incredibly 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.
12I truly enjoy looking at on this website , it has fantastic articles. “Violence commands both literature and life, and violence is always crude and distorted.” by Ellen Glasgow.
13Some genuinely select blog posts on this internet site, saved to fav.
14Very interesting details you have remarked, appreciate it for putting up. “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive” by Sir Walter Scott.
15I like this web site because so much useful stuff on here :D.
16I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
17Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
18Very interesting details you have noted, thanks for putting up.
19Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
20Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
21This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
22I really like your writing style, excellent info , thankyou for posting :D.
23You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart. “There are only two industries that refer to their customers as users.” by Edward Tufte.
24My partner and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page again.
25Baking Soda Shot Recipe
26I conceive you have remarked some very interesting points, appreciate it for the post.
27Some really interesting info , well written and generally user pleasant.
28Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
29You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
30The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
31Whats up very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info here within the put up, we need develop more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
32Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, very nice post.
33Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am satisfied to seek out a lot of helpful info here within the put up, we need develop more techniques on this rega
34I am usually to blogging and i really respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and hold checking for brand spanking new information.
35blogging and i really respect your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going
36I’d constantly want to be update on new posts on this website , saved to my bookmarks! .
37Howdy very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I’m satisfied to seek out so many helpful info right here within the put up, we want work out extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
38Addult star jessBraess ttit powered bby phpbbGirls
39wit higyh seex driveHotwife bbbw kaeWife hardd clre sexWhite boond pussyGayy seex in dreessing roomJoohn shootin cum semen into tinaHoow to gget rrid oof faciial
pimplesFreya bikinmi topp 32ffMedical examination naqked gayDrumk yooung teenTeeen thredesome hom videoLesbian leepover
storiesAsshole music videoTeeen wlrk outsNudee adela czec ddreambabes bathroomNaksd yooung boys att the beachStraight guys witgh sjall penisElecfic siix ggay bbar videoFree gayy sexx trailersBlafk
shhemale fuks white boyLingetie fine nudesPeitte asian modelC bigg cocksGayy bbars joliet ilCocck dominicanWanut
szed beeast tumorNaatural mqle penis enhancementNuude chrryl burk picsShejale fjrst time cuum vedioBbww amateur
dresssed aand unbdressed videoHott milf suck
oon a didloTaylor rin ornstar beauty pageant movieSexxy onliine poen videosNazzi pbotographs nakedMessdy lipsticck
cuum shopt facialsSaara sexton fuckFreee
ggay hentai sexDoctor anal checck upScary seex picsHoww too
havve sexx hindiSeex cimes 2084Pofno jovencifas sexyAwesoome sexx scenesBerlin’s cuntErotic faries paintingsNakwd nyde male videoA level escortObese tens negaztive impactAduult dietRaeio shortwave vintageFree leebian por viideos previewsEd and decrease
iin spermCook bonless skjnless chicken breastEl doradro hott spriongs nude girlfirendAnaal londe hhot teenGayy menn pinoyGreeat blow
joobs on red tubeCumm hubgry housewifeRough suckFetisdh nurses dvdBreaast cancer awarenesds clearancee martini glassRough har forced sexYohng andd old guys fuckingTeen ansl cum videoTopp 3 hottestt pornstarsMiiss inddia
bikiniPornn stazrs frlm floridaSwinngers macomb miDrrug frfee hardcoreXxx blogsspot pon addictMedrical confition known as trigger thumbCamerta man has seex with reporterFree latikna pusy videoShortcake strtawberry vijdeo vintageBloog ggay cumLowest
pruce avva accu chek stripsSuper poprn linhk listGanbgbang
joanneFrree birthdayy blow jobsMost effectivbe herbal pennis enlagementYouu porn marriedPorn sgbian womenFucck me doggiePremnie breast ofvd9wuaptnd915him3v
Very interesting points you have remarked, appreciate it for putting up.
40I regard something truly special in this site.
41Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!
42Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in internet explorer, might test thisK IE still is the marketplace leader and a huge section of people will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
43I really like gathering utile info, this post has got me even more info! .
44I am writing to make you understand of the brilliant discovery my wife’s daughter went through reading through the blog. She mastered lots of pieces, which include what it is like to have an amazing coaching heart to have the others without problems understand various multifaceted subject matter. You undoubtedly exceeded my desires. I appreciate you for rendering those invaluable, safe, educational and as well as fun tips on the topic to Tanya.
45Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specially the remaining phase 🙂 I handle such information much. I used to be seeking this particular information for a long time. Thanks and good luck.
46Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clarity for your publish is simply excellent and i can suppose you are a professional on this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to seize your RSS feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please continue the rewarding work.
47Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appearance. I must say that you’ve done a superb job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Firefox. Superb Blog!
48This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
49That is really interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your feed and look ahead to in the hunt for more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
50