Midnight Fried Sticky Rice with Egg in Dong Hoi

Now when I think of Dong Hoi, I no longer crave banh xeo, sweet potatoes, porridge, or fish hotpot. Instead, I eagerly await the day I can return just to indulge in the crispy, fragrant midnight fried sticky rice.

Exploring Quang Binh: Delighting in Midnight Fried Sticky Rice in Dong Hoi

We dashed straight from Hanoi to Quang Binh, arriving at the hotel close to midnight. Urged to quickly freshen up and change, some local friends arranged to take us out for a late-night meal, featuring the unforgettable crispy fried sticky rice.

Rushing and turning through the deserted streets, we halted in front of a bustling restaurant, already packed with cars. Bustling with people coming and going.

When Dong Hoi, Quang Binh is mentioned, people often exchange stories about local specialties like banh xeo made from brown rice, sweet potatoes, porridge, fish hotpot, or shrimp paste in June. However, no one seems to introduce a rustic specialty dish that's more famous in other regions: Fried Sticky Rice. Despite its humble reputation, locals know how to make it uniquely delicious, sparking curiosity among newcomers.

In the quiet restaurant for a moment, still seeing several little girls, boys assisting, busy with dust bags, multitasking without enough time to answer customers. The clientele mainly consisted of late-night revelers looking for a meal after a night out.

Looking at the menu, noticing quite a few dishes, mostly related to chicken, chicken liver, chicken gizzards. But one dish caught my attention, labeled as a local specialty on the menu, and confirmed by a local friend from Dong Hoi: Fried Sticky Rice.

Curiously sneaking into the kitchen to observe, several girls in the kitchen were selecting chickens to make pho, each bowl adorned with finely chopped garlic, and a quarter of a chicken, no less. Another girl stood by the stove, sweat dripping, stir-frying chicken liver and gizzards with onions and garlic.

A pot of sticky rice placed on the stove, slightly hot and stuffy, golden brown in the corner. I approached to admire the elegant pot shaped like a crescent moon, using a spoon to scoop up a small piece of sticky rice to taste.

Sticky and fragrant, not detecting any special flavors, but somehow the sticky rice pot was beautifully golden brown.

My question about whether turmeric was used to achieve the golden color fell into a moment of silence, as the kitchen staff hurriedly prepared dishes for the incoming customers crowding the bustling sidewalk, and some disappointed customers who had to leave as the vendor replied: sold out.

While waiting for the specialty fried sticky rice dish to be served, my food enthusiast friend, well-versed in culinary adventures and possessing extensive knowledge of cuisines from all corners of the country, quickly explained to us with wide-eyed excitement.

She explained that the fried sticky rice here is made differently from many other places. Beaten eggs are evenly spread over the sticky rice, and when fried, this egg layer is evenly distributed and becomes soft thanks to the heat clinging to the rice, forming a cohesive whole that doesn't separate. A sprinkle of shredded meat on top completes the dish.

As soon as she finished her description, the plate of fried sticky rice with egg was brought out. At first glance, it resembled a golden cake, making us, who had traveled all day from the North to the Central region, salivate.

The thin, wide layer of sticky rice, covered with egg and shredded meat, was easy to enjoy and didn't feel greasy thanks to the combination of rice and softened egg.

Breaking off a piece with our hands, the bottom layer of sticky rice was crispy while the top layer remained soft and fluffy due to the egg coating, complemented by the rich flavor of the shredded meat. It was indescribably delicious.

Everyone at the table eagerly grabbed a small piece to savor, while my friend urged the kitchen to fry up another plate as the one just brought out was quickly emptied. Everyone nodded in agreement: Truly delicious.

That's all it takes, and my Dong Hoi midnight fried sticky rice with egg has become a 'memorable dish' every time I think about that land.

Source: Tuoi Tre

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide