Sandwich shop goodies 7 – Bắp hầm (Vietnamese whole kernel grits)
Corn must be my favorite grain. Growing up with very limited access to street food, I used to fix my eyes on the corn carts and baskets of market women near home, secretly drooling. They had a big steamer packed with corn ears still wrapped in their wilted yellow husks and brown silk, sometimes a glass shelf with peeled ones, white and shiny and plump. I was always so happy when Dad bought xôi bắp, sweet corn and sticky rice, for breakfast. Then at night there was corn-on-the-cobs grilled by coal fire and smothered with lard and green onions. It’s better than butter, no doubt. At che stalls there was corn pudding with coconut milk, which I like when it’s warm and gooey. And that was all the Vietnamese corn stuff I knew.
Not until recently that I came across another corn thing, a midfielder between chè bắp (corn pudding) and xôi bắp, and porridge too. I hate porridge, but I love this stuff.
Some people just call it “bắp nấu”, “cooked corn”, either to make sure that we know we’re not eating raw ones or to confuse questioners with the boiled whole ears, also known as bắp nấu. The more careful gourmands label it “bắp hầm“, literally “simmered corn”, since the hulled kernels are slow cooked until saturated with water and soft like a canned sweet pea. But it’s not mush, the corn still retains a tiny bit of chewiness that entertains the gums.
The classic vendor look is a ladle of hot white bubbly goo half wrapped in banana leaf, a few spoons of SSS (sugar-salt-sesame) mix huskily dumped on top, a tuft of coconut shreds on top of all, and a finger-long piece of banana leaf stem to scoop.
The sandwich store look has the SSS mix and coconut in tiny Ziploc pouches, a half pound of corn in banana leaves, all cling wrapped on a styrofoam plate and sent home with a plastic spoon. It’s sleek alright.
Makes awesome meals on vegetarian days!
The white easy package sells for two bucks at Huong Lan Sandwich #4 in Milpitas (41 Serra Way, Suite 108, CA 95035). My guess would be 2000VND (~11 cents) if you buy it in Vietnam, anyone knows?
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh dừa (coconut sticky rice stick)
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh bao chỉ (loh mai chi – Chinese sticky rice flour ball with sweet fillings)
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent information being shared freely out there.
1Usually I don’t 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, quite nice article.
2Good info. Lucky me I reach on your website by accident, I bookmarked it.
3You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart. “The point of quotations is that one can use another’s words to be insulting.” by Amanda Cross.
4Woh I like your articles, saved to my bookmarks! .
5Thanks for the blog post, is there any way I can receive an email every time you publish a fresh update?
6I’m so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
7Wonderful 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
8I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂
9Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
10Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
11Some truly fantastic information, Gladiolus I discovered this.
12Amazing blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise 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 recommendations? Appreciate it!
13As a Newbie, I am permanently searching online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
14This is really interesting, You are a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your fantastic post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
15I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and wonderful user genial style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
16I don’t commonly comment but I gotta say thanks for the post on this perfect one :D.
17Its like you learn my mind! You seem to grasp so much about this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you just could do with a few percent to force the message home a little bit, however other than that, that is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
18excellent points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What would you recommend about your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
19Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange techniques with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
20It’s arduous to search out educated folks on this matter, however you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks
21Thank you for some other magnificent post. The place else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the search for such info.
22Hey there! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic job!
23Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange solutions with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
24I love the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great posts.
25Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around 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! Thanks
26As I website owner I conceive the subject material here is real fantastic, thankyou for your efforts.
27You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
28I’m not certain where you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while studying more or understanding more. Thank you for great info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
29Wonderful blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks a lot!
30Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “go back the choose”.I’m trying to in finding things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your concepts!!
31I’ve learn a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you set to create the sort of fantastic informative web site.
32My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
33Great post, you have pointed out some superb points, I too conceive this s a very superb website.
34I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
35I am lucky that I observed this web site, precisely the right info that I was searching for! .
36It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!
37This is the best weblog for anybody who needs to find out about this topic. You understand so much its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I truly would want…HaHa). You positively put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply great!
38Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!
39This really answered my problem, thank you!
40I have read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you set to create one of these magnificent informative website.
41I love the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
42Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to exchange techniques with others, why not shoot me an email if interested.
43I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great articles.
44I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
45I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks
46Good site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
47Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
48Thanks for some other great post. Where else may anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such info.
49Hey there, You have performed a fantastic job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
50