Buzz
The Mekong Delta isn't just known for its rustic Western dishes and Mekong Delta fruit specialties, but also for its diverse range of Western specialty cakes.
Not only renowned as the largest fruit basket in the country, the Mekong Delta is also the birthplace of many interesting Western specialty cakes. If you're planning a trip to the Mekong Delta, visiting tourist areas like Lan Vuong Tourism Area, Tan Lap Floating Village, Bac Lieu Wind Field, or Pirate Island... don't forget to indulge in and purchase these unique Western specialty cakes as souvenirs. Today, let's explore the list of unique Western specialty cakes together with PasGo.
1. Orange cake
Banh cam, a specialty from the Mekong Delta, resembles fried doughnuts but boasts a distinct flavor and texture. Crafted from rice and glutinous rice flour, it encases a filling of finely ground mung beans. Its crispy, fragrant exterior, tinged with golden hues, is adorned with aromatic sesame seeds.
One unique aspect lies in the use of mashed sweet potatoes in the dough, enhancing its crunchiness. This delicacy harmoniously combines various ingredients, striking a perfect balance between sweetness and richness, ensuring a delightful indulgence without overwhelming the palate.
2. Sponge Cake
Sponge cake – a rustic delicacy from the Mekong Delta, both soft and delectable.
Banh bo, a beloved delicacy in the Mekong Delta, comes in various forms such as inner core sponge cake, pandan-flavored sponge cake, and fluffy sponge cake. Its main ingredients include rice flour, coconut, yeast, and sugar. Soft, chewy, mildly sweet, it is often enjoyed with condiments like sesame salt, coconut flesh, or uniquely, with roasted pork.
3. Pork Skin Cake
Pork skin cake, with its glossy, supple exterior, easily evokes the image of pigskin. Its name derives from this resemblance. A specialty of the southwestern Mekong Delta, it consists of multiple layers, distinctly stacked atop one another.
Creating delicious pork skin cake isn't difficult, but it requires a special recipe and technique. To craft these enticing cakes, locals utilize glutinous rice flour, tapioca starch, coconut milk, mung beans, and pandan leaves. The cakes exhibit stunning green and gold hues, occasionally enhanced with red from gac fruit or purple from butterfly pea flowers.
4. Pineapple Cake
The finest delicacy from the Mekong Delta comes from Soc Trang
One cannot overlook the specialty pastry of the Mekong Delta, the delectable pineapple cake. Soc Trang is the homeland of this exquisitely fragrant treat. Its distinctive flavor, derived from premium pineapples, harmonizes with other exquisite ingredients.
Pineapple Cake – A renowned delicacy from the Mekong Delta famed nationwide
Although pineapple cakes are widely available in supermarkets across the country, the best experience is still found by enjoying them directly in the Mekong Delta. Each pineapple cake boasts a thin, slightly chewy crust. The filling consists of various ingredients such as taro or steamed mung beans, mashed and sautéed with pineapple and a hint of sugar. Finally, a salted egg yolk nestled in the center completes the harmonious blend. Pineapple cakes, a specialty of the Mekong Delta, are favored as gifts by many.
5. Swallow Nest Cake
Swallow nest cake, a specialty of the southwestern Mekong Delta, is made from simple ingredients including tapioca flour, coconut milk, vanilla essence, and sugar. These are mixed together to form a viscous mixture.
Swallow nest cakes are shaped like inverted cones, with curved, golden-brown fried edges. The center is puffed up, creating a slightly soft, spongy texture. The rich, creamy flavor of coconut milk combined with the crispness and slight softness creates an unforgettable taste for connoisseurs.
6. Mud Water Cake
If you happen to visit the Mekong Delta on the day of the Đoan Ngọ festival, you'll have the opportunity to savor the unique mud water cake of the locals. Mud water cake, a specialty gift from the Mekong Delta, is wrapped in banana leaves or bamboo leaves and made from glutinous rice flour mixed with mung beans.
Mud water cakes have a rather interesting cone shape. The process of making mud water cakes also intrigues many. Rice husks are burned to obtain ash, which is then mixed with water and left to settle for the liquid part to be extracted. This liquid is then soaked with glutinous rice. Not overly sweet, with a refreshing taste, they can be enjoyed even on hot summer days without feeling too heavy.
7. Sizzling Pancake
Sizzling Pancake – A popular snack favored by many foreign visitors
Sizzling pancake is no stranger to snack enthusiasts. Its golden exterior encases a blend of fresh shrimp, pork belly, bean sprouts, spring onions, and more.
Sizzling Pancake, a specialty of the southwestern Mekong Delta, owes its deliciousness to its ingredients and preparation method
The pancake batter owes its yellow color to turmeric powder mixed in just the right proportion with rice flour after being finely ground. Coconut milk and chicken eggs are added afterward, forming a sticky batter. This dish is served with fresh vegetables and carefully prepared fish sauce dipping, making it delicious and flavorful.
8. Liver Cake
Liver cake resembles pig's liver in color and shape when sliced, hence its name. It's one of the distinctive specialties of the Mekong Delta, made from duck eggs, dried coconut, cloves, and sugar. When eaten, liver cake has a slightly gamey taste due to the eggs, which some may not prefer. However, it's also a Mekong Delta specialty worth trying at least once.
9. Jackfruit Leaf Cake
Jackfruit leaf cake is a unique delicacy where batter is spread onto jackfruit leaves and then steamed. When enjoyed, the cake peels off the leaf, revealing a dish that is served on a plate and drenched in coconut cream, then topped with roasted peanuts. The cake batter carries the fragrance of jackfruit leaves, combined with the rich, sweet taste of coconut cream, making it truly unique.
The article above, PasGo – Special Places & Offers, has introduced you to 9 unique rustic cakes. These delicious and unique specialties from the Mekong Delta contribute to the culinary beauty of this region. Visit PasGo's Blog to discover the 'handbook' of Vietnamese regional dishes and specialties.
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