Sandwich Shop Goodies 8 – Bánh bao chỉ (loh mai chi)
Yet another sticky rice snack that I vaguely remember eating one or twice during the early childhood, and found again in a San Jose sandwich shop more than ten years later. I was excited when I saw these green balls covered in coconut bits.
We Vietnamese call them bánh bao chỉ to distinguish from the meat-filled steamed bun made from wheat flour known to us as bánh bao. Just as bánh bao comes from China, so does bánh bao chỉ. Just as bánh bao are baozi and mantou in Mandarin, mandu in Korean, manju in Japanese, manti in Turkish, and many more, bánh bao chỉ too has its share of names.
The most-result-yielding Google search belongs to loh mai chi, commonly shown as little sticky rice flour dumplings with sweet ground peanut filling. Other variations in Malaysian and Chinese food blogs are snowball, loh mi chi, chi fa bun, muah chee (yeah, these are really cute you’d want to kiss them too)*, noh mi chi, and ma zi. Once again, I feel the need to learn Mandarin. Some say “noh mi” means “sticky rice” in Cantonese, but what does “chi” mean? Others, including the Vietnamese sites, insist that “chỉ” in bánh bao chỉ comes from “mà chỉ”, which is “ma zi”, which is “sesame seed” in Mandarin, which means “mi chi” is “sesame” (recall mi lao – sesame fluff) and we’re left with “noh” being “sticky rice”. It is reasonable enough if we consider that there are four types of fillings for bánh bao chỉ: black sesame, coconut, mung bean, and peanut. But the taste I had from childhood was the salty and sweet ground peanut in a gummy, springy thin layer of white dough coated with flour. Sesame filling must be a new twist.
And so are the vibrant green color and the coconut bits. And the size. Cheap bánh bao chỉ used to be sold on wheels: an old Chinese man peddled around the neighborhood with a glass tank on the back of his worn bicycle, the tank half filled with soft white balls as big as tangerines. Now these balls are about an apricot each, fit snugly in a plastic box and sold for $2 at Kim’s Sandwiches. Not only do they lose the romantic authenticity of a street food, they also taste like soap. The green dough, instead of having pandan flavor, reeks of artificial chemicals. The mung bean paste is sickeningly sweet.
I’ve never been so disappointed with a snack food. Do NOT buy these green balls, no matter how good looking they are. Search online for loh mai chi recipes, or search the streets for old Chinese vendors.
(*) It’s hard to refrain from making the connection between muah chee and the Japanese mochi (daifuku).
The exact origin of mochi is unknown, though it is said to have come from China. The cakes of pounded glutinous rice appear to have become a New Year’s treat during Japan’s Heian period (794-1185). As early as the tenth century, various kinds of mochi were used as imperial offerings at religious ceremonies. A dictionary dating from before 1070 calls the rice cake “mochii.” Around the eighteenth century, people began to call it “mochi.” Various theories explain the name. One is that “mochi” came from the verb “motsu,” “to hold or to have,” signifying that mochi is food given by God. The word “mochizuki” means “full moon.” People of the west and southwest islands called it “muchimi,” meaning “stickiness.”
– from New World Encyclopedia
So I know everybody thinks the entire Far East gets its stuff from China (yeah… no.), but here’s a crazy idea: what if this sticky rice ball with sweet fillings actually originated from Japan, then the Chinese got hold of some, and later passed it down South?
Previously on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bắp hầm (Vietnamese whole kernel grits)
Next on Sandwich Shop Goodies: bánh bò bông (steamed sponge muffin)
Some really quality blog posts on this internet site, saved to my bookmarks.
1Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for novice blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
2Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Many thanks!
3There may be noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure good factors in features also.
4sharing some decent crypto links here urlhttps://seedify-page.github.io//url urlhttps://silverswap-app.github.io//url urlhttps://sell-nft.github.io//url urlhttps://simple-swap.github.io//url urlhttps://sell-crypto-online.github.io//url urlhttps://scroll-swap.github.io//url urlhttps://sell-nft-instantly.github.io//url urlhttps://rocket-pool-staking.github.io//url urlhttps://scroll-cross-chain-bridge.github.io//url urlhttps://scan-aml.github.io//url urlhttps://solo-staking.github.io//url urlhttps://solana-staking.github.io//url urlhttps://sell-wbtc.github.io//url urlhttps://safe-staking.github.io//url urlhttps://space-fi.github.io//url
5I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. All the best
6moved my transfers to manta bridge
7I enjoy, cause I found exactly what I was taking a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
8I happen to be writing to make you understand what a outstanding discovery my child obtained checking your web site. She learned a wide variety of things, most notably what it is like to possess an incredible helping heart to make a number of people with no trouble gain knowledge of various very confusing subject matter. You undoubtedly exceeded my expected results. Many thanks for giving those effective, healthy, revealing not to mention fun thoughts on that topic to Emily.
9Appreciating the time and energy you put into your website and detailed information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
10It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
11You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really one thing that I believe I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I’m having a look ahead on your subsequent post, I will try to get the hang of it!
12i opened sync swap today
13The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
14quick token swap here today
15sell wbtc in seconds here
16Terrific post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!
17This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
18As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
19Some genuinely fantastic articles on this website , regards for contribution.
20I love your writing style really enjoying this web site.
21I like the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great articles.
22I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own website now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
23I used to be very pleased to find this web-site.I wished to thanks on your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely enjoying each little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.
24What i don’t realize is if truth be told how you are not really a lot more neatly-liked than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize therefore significantly on the subject of this matter, produced me in my view believe it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated except it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times care for it up!
25Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
26Simply a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design.
27Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
28Great post, I think website owners should acquire a lot from this weblog its really user friendly.
29I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
30Hi there, You have done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
31Nice post. I be taught something more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and follow slightly one thing from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
32Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
33Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
34This website is known as a stroll-through for the entire data you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you’ll positively discover it.
35you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
36I as well believe thence, perfectly indited post! .
37As I website possessor I conceive the written content here is very excellent, thankyou for your efforts.
38I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
39My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
40Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
41Thank you so much for providing individuals with remarkably remarkable opportunity to check tips from this website. It’s usually so lovely and also packed with fun for me and my office mates to visit the blog at minimum 3 times every week to see the newest things you will have. Of course, we’re always astounded with the very good methods you give. Certain two ideas in this post are ultimately the finest we have had.
42You could certainly see your skills in the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.” by Napoleon.
43Whats up! I just want to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice information you’ve here on this post. I shall be coming back to your blog for more soon.
44I enjoy assembling utile information , this post has got me even more info! .
45Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
46It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
47Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, 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, fantastic blog!
48Normally I don’t read post 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.
49I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly liked reading everything that is written on your blog.Keep the tips coming. I loved it!
50