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)
I have to express appreciation to the writer just for bailing me out of such a problem. Because of checking through the search engines and getting views that were not productive, I figured my life was over. Living minus the solutions to the issues you have resolved through this article is a serious case, as well as the ones which could have negatively affected my entire career if I hadn’t encountered your web blog. Your own personal know-how and kindness in controlling everything was crucial. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a stuff like this. I am able to at this moment look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot so much for this reliable and amazing guide. I will not be reluctant to refer your blog to anybody who should have direction about this situation.
1Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
2The heart of your writing whilst sounding reasonable at first, did not really work perfectly with me after some time. Someplace throughout the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer but only for a while. I however have a problem with your jumps in logic and you would do nicely to help fill in all those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I will certainly end up being amazed.
3What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re not really a lot more smartly-favored than you might be now. You are so intelligent. You already know thus significantly relating to this subject, made me in my view believe it from so many various angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved until it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. At all times care for it up!
4I real delighted to find this website on bing, just what I was searching for : D also bookmarked.
5Some really interesting information, well written and broadly speaking user pleasant.
6Perfect work you have done, this website is really cool with excellent info .
7I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours lately, but I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely price sufficient for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the net will likely be much more useful than ever before. “Perfection of moral virtue does not wholly take away the passions, but regulates them.” by Saint Thomas Aquinas.
8Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks
9Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful blog!
10I like this website because so much utile material on here :D.
11Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!
12You have mentioned very interesting points! ps nice web site.
13I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts
14This website is my aspiration, real wonderful style and design and perfect subject material.
15Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
16Very nice article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thx 🙂
17I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
18What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & aid different customers like its helped me. Good job.
19Keep up the fantastic piece of work, I read few blog posts on this internet site and I conceive that your weblog is very interesting and holds sets of superb info .
20Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
21비아그라 구매 전 알아야 할 국내 처방 절차와 약국 이용 방법, 가격 확인 기준을 안내합니다. 실데나필 성분, 정품 확인 시 주의점, 복용 전 상담사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하세요.
22팔팔정의 성분과 효과, 50mg·100mg 차이, 복용 시간과 부작용을 확인하세요. 처방 및 가격 확인 방법, 함께 복용하면 안 되는 약, 자주 묻는 질문까지 안내합니다.
23경기도 안양출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 자택·호텔 방문 상담, 선입금 없는 예약 및 현장 결제 기준을 확인하세요. 방문 가능 여부와 예상 도착 시간은 주소와 당일 일정에 따라 안내합니다.
24강릉출장안마로 장거리 출장이나 여행의 피로를 풀어보세요. 강릉 전 지역 어디든 찾아가는 전문 아로마 마사지·스포츠 마사지 서비스를 제공합니다. 비즈니스 출장객, 관광객, 강릉 지역 주민 모두 편리하게 이용할 수 있는 강릉출장안마 서비스입니다. 지금 문의하세요.
25제주출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 방문 예약 방법을 확인하세요. 제주시·서귀포시·애월·중문 등 지역별 상담과 숙소 출입, 예상 도착 시간, 제주출장안마 현장 결제 기준을 안내합니다.
26제주출장마사지 셀럽의 코스와 가격, 방문 예약 방법을 확인하세요. 제주시·서귀포시·애월·중문 등 지역별 상담과 숙소 출입, 예상 도착 시간, 제주출장안마 현장 결제 기준을 안내합니다.
27As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling excellent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
28Definitely, what a great website and illuminating posts, I will bookmark your website.All the Best!
29포항출장마사지 전문 업체입니다. 24시간 연중무휴 운영과 100 후불제 시스템으로 언제든 편하게 예약 가능! 전원 한국여성 테라피스트가 커플마사지까지 전문 제공
30Thanks for some other wonderful post. Where else could anyone get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
31I do enjoy the way you have presented this specific situation and it does indeed present us some fodder for consideration. Nonetheless, through just what I have witnessed, I basically trust when the responses stack on that people stay on issue and in no way start upon a soap box associated with the news du jour. Still, thank you for this excellent piece and whilst I can not really go along with the idea in totality, I regard your viewpoint.
32I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
33Some really interesting points you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for :D.
34Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I am hoping you write again very soon!
35You are my inhalation, I own few web logs and very sporadically run out from brand :). “‘Tis the most tender part of love, each other to forgive.” by John Sheffield.
36Great post, you have pointed out some superb points, I too believe this s a very great website.
37I really like your writing style, great info, thank you for putting up :D. “Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.” by Johathan Edwards.
38Some really wonderful content on this website , appreciate it for contribution.
39I enjoy your writing style genuinely enjoying this website .
40Really instructive and great bodily structure of content material, now that’s user friendly (:.
41After I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any approach you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks!
42I really prize your piece of work, Great post.
43I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I positively having fun with every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
44I like this web site so much, saved to bookmarks. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.
45강남구구단 방문을 준비하고 있다면 가격 구성, 이용 방식, 예약 절차와 위치 확인사항을 살펴보세요. 인원·시간에 따른 상담 항목과 자주 묻는 질문을 한곳에 정리했습니다.
46Hello. excellent job. I did not imagine this. This is a fantastic story. Thanks!
47I believe this website contains very fantastic indited content content.
48Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
49I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really nice :D. Good job, cheers
50