Two extraordinary aspects that contribute to the fame of this Hue delicacy are its enigmatic, indescribable name and the specific rule of incorporating all 7 colors on a single plate of rice...

Black Rice Blanket - The Famous Hue Specialty

Black rice blanket is a renowned delicacy from the ancient capital, known for its dreamy and sophisticated atmosphere. Similar to many other distinctive dishes from Hue, the black rice blanket perfectly blends the genuine simplicity of the common people with the intricacy and meticulousness of the royal culinary style.

Black Sesame-Covered Rice at Gao Restaurant

When a plate of black sesame-covered rice, served by Gao's charming waitress, is placed in front of me, the 7 captivating and harmonious colors immediately catch my eye. Scooping a small, steaming spoonful, accompanied by a delicate wisp of white smoke, the subtle aroma of fresh rice, eggs, shrimp, pork, and more blends together in richness...

Taking a bite, the irresistible and well-balanced richness of mung beans, carrots, rice, eggs, and meat unfolds in succession, assaulting my taste buds. It's impossible to resist taking another spoonful, and so it goes until the entire plate is empty. No wonder the royal court in ancient times and modern-day celebrities alike are captivated by this humble and simple dish...

The kings of old loved it, and today's famous figures are equally enchanted...

For a delightful serving of black sesame-covered rice in Saigon, there's no shortage of options. However, to truly indulge in the authentic flavor, head to Gao Restaurant at 33 Le Quy Don, Ward 7, District 3. It's not just the deliciousness of the dish that captures the essence of Hue cuisine; it's also the serene, elegant ambiance of this place, perfect for a leisurely indulgence. Take your time to savor and discern each flavor unfolding on your palate: the softness of fragrant rice, the freshness of beans, the crispiness of carrots, the richness of eggs, shrimp, the nuttiness of pork, spring rolls, and the refreshing taste of lotus seeds...

Explore other delectable dishes at Gao that pair perfectly with black sesame-covered rice.

If you can't make it to Gao, fret not! Learn from the secrets shared by the chefs here and try making a perfect black sesame-covered rice dish at home!

Black Sesame-Covered Rice Recipe (Serving 6)

+ White rice: 6 cups

+ Pork, Vietnamese pork sausage: 200g each

+ Shrimp, lotus seeds, carrot: 100g each

+ Snow peas, edamame beans: 50g each

+ 1 chicken egg, spring onions, purple onions, garlic, chili, coriander, cucumber, spices (salt, sugar, pepper, seasoning powder, soy sauce, honey, cooking oil)

Start by finely chopping the spring onions. Dice the garlic and purple onions. Remove seeds from the red chili and cut it into strips. Thoroughly wash coriander and cucumber; slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces.

Clean the pork, cut it into small pieces, and marinate with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of honey, half of the diced garlic, and a splash of cooking oil. Mix well and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.

Prepare the ingredients

Clean the shrimp, remove whiskers, and steam or boil until cooked. Peel off the shells and remove the black vein on the back.

Boil the lotus seeds until tender.

Finely chop the Vietnamese pork sausage. Trim the snow peas, soak in saltwater for 5 minutes, then cut into small pieces along with carrots, and edamame beans.

Crack the chicken egg into a bowl, beat it thoroughly.

Ingredients are incredibly diverse, with vibrant colors being one of the standout features of the black sesame-covered rice dish.

Sauté the purple onions and half of the remaining garlic, then add edamame beans, carrots, and lotus seeds. Next, add pork, snow peas, and Vietnamese pork sausage, stir-frying everything thoroughly.

When the meat + vegetables start releasing their aroma, season with salt, pepper, sugar, and a small amount of seasoning powder, stirring until all ingredients are fully cooked.

Sauté until all filling ingredients are cooked

Heat cooking oil in another pan, and stir-fry the rice. Gao's chef advises gently tossing the rice a few times initially to evenly coat it with oil. Then cover the pan and let the rice settle for a quicker, more uniform golden finish.

When the rice grains start to crisp up, taste and adjust the seasoning. Constantly stir to achieve a crunchy texture. Pour beaten eggs over the rice, sprinkle with spring onions, and stir thoroughly for even color and egg doneness.

Divide the rice and filling into 6 equal portions. Each serving of black sesame-covered rice will be presented on an individual plate. Take a cup, scoop a portion of the filling, followed by a portion of the fried rice, press it firmly, and invert the cup onto the plate.

Decorate the rice surface with a few strands of red chili, 1 – 2 shrimp, and garnish with coriander, cucumber around the plate.

This dish must be enjoyed hot to fully appreciate its simple yet exquisite taste. Slowly savor each bite, chewing deliberately to grasp the full deliciousness and distinct flavor of this humble yet remarkable dish.

If you wish to experience the authentic perfection of black sesame-covered rice at Gao, don't forget to pair it with a bowl of sour shrimp soup or snakehead fish sour soup, and a side of fragrant grilled minced fish cakes for an extra kick. Conclude your meal with Gao's renowned durian pastries and the refreshing signature pandan honey or quince tea – it's a delightful feast!

Remember to indulge in the famous durian pastries when you visit Gao for their black sesame-covered rice!

>>> Check out Gao's exclusive 10% discount this month.