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Grilled egg in a cup - an exotic snack now available in Hanoi. For just 10,000 VND, it's worth a try for food lovers!
Venturing to taste the rare grilled egg in a cup amidst Hanoi's bustling streets.
Grilled egg in a cup has been a long-standing delicacy in the Central and Southern regions but remains unfamiliar to many in the North. Discovering a spot selling this delicacy in the heart of Hanoi is indeed a delightful find for food enthusiasts.
Affectionately known as 'Auntie Ty's grilled egg in a cup,' despite its rustic name, the vendors here are actually Hanoians. The story behind their decision to bring this dish to Hanoi is quite fascinating.
The shop is situated at the corner of Nguyen Quang Bich Street, just behind Hang Da Market where it intersects with Nguyen Van To Street. If you can't recall the address (24B Nguyen Quang Bich), simply look for the electric pole near the paper flower stand where the egg grilling station is set up. Alternatively, ask any local nearby, and they'll be happy to direct you.
The eatery doesn't have a fancy storefront; instead, patrons sit on simple plastic chairs on the sidewalk. During peak times, there might be a short wait, but the enthusiastic vendors make it worthwhile, ensuring every customer leaves satisfied.
This grilled egg in a cup spot opened its doors in September 2016, inspired by the sisters' trip to Da Nang. Impressed by a small eatery's grilled egg dish there, Auntie Ty decided to bring it to Hanoi, driven by their passion for food. Moreover, their initial purpose for selling was simply to indulge themselves.
Upon bringing it to Hanoi, Auntie Ty didn't replicate the original dish but added her own twist to make it more palatable and enticing.
Utilizing intricately designed deep plates for grilling, Auntie Ty's grilled eggs leave a lasting impression. Unlike the style in Da Nang or Saigon, these grilled eggs are infused with butter, giving them a fluffy texture and a delightful aroma when cooked.
After spreading a layer of butter on the plate, four quail eggs are cracked in, followed by fresh spring onions and a touch of sausage. As the eggs cook, additional toppings like dried shallots, shredded pork, or cheese are added. Notably, the homemade shredded pork is flavorful and not overly greasy like machine-made ones elsewhere. The dried shallots offer a unique crunch without the lingering oiliness of aged onions.
The grilling station is simple, just a small charcoal grill using firewood, which means the grilling process takes a bit longer. The egg cups are placed directly on the grill and fanned with a handheld fan.
Grilled eggs with tamarind sauce on the side. The tangy-sweet sauce adds a delightful touch, preventing the dish from being too heavy. This unique feature of the eatery might also be its drawback. Subjectively speaking, if the tamarind sauce had a stronger flavor, it would truly elevate the dish to perfection.
The creamy richness of eggs and butter, the aromatic scent of onions, the savory taste of shredded pork, all blend harmoniously with the sweet and tangy tamarind sauce, creating a particularly enticing flavor profile.
Customers have varied opinions, but most enjoy this dish for its appealing presentation, delicious tamarind sauce, and reasonable price.
Some find the dish a bit bland and feel the need to pour extra sauce. Therefore, if one doesn't fancy tamarind sauce, their enjoyment of this dish may decrease by half.
The price for such a serving of grilled eggs is 10,000 VND, applicable to both with and without cheese. This price point is considered quite reasonable for this snack. Light eaters may have two servings, while hearty eaters can indulge in 4-5 servings.
The eatery typically opens from 4 PM to 10 PM daily, with possible later opening hours on hot days. It tends to be busier on cooler days.
Would you dare to try this grilled egg dish?
Address: 24B Nguyen Quang Bich
Opening hours: 4 PM - 10 PM
Price: 10,000 VND per serving
By Young Minds
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourApril 28, 2017
