Buzz
From simple snacks like Tây Ninh sesame rice paper to a variety of other delicacies like mixed rice paper, stuffed rice paper, shrimp salted rice paper... a myriad of street foods have emerged and become part of Vietnamese culinary culture. Particularly captivating is Tây Ninh sesame rice paper, a local specialty that mesmerizes not only locals but also many visitors when they have the chance to visit the land of sunshine Tây Ninh.
Irresistible snack of Tây Ninh (Photo: ST)
The first time tasting Tây Ninh sesame rice paper, many people may feel bewildered by the serving style. Sesame rice paper is not a dish that requires elaborate preparation; everything is neatly packaged in a bag containing a stack of rice paper and another small bag containing sauce. This humble snack, from serving to packaging, is designed for passersby to buy as gifts, to enjoy casually, to satisfy the longing for the unique flavors found only in Tây Ninh.
Though the dish appears simple, its preparation demands meticulous attention and precision.
Despite its unassuming appearance, making the renowned soft and chewy Trảng Bàng rice paper is an intricate process. Trảng Bàng town has been renowned for its rice paper craft, especially dew-dried rice paper, for generations. It seems that every ounce of passion from rice paper makers is poured into each step of the process. The key to whether the rice paper is delicious lies in the rice chosen for making it, and in ensuring that each grain of salt added to the rice flour doesn't make it too salty or bland. The rice flour is mixed with a bit of rice or cassava flour to give the rice paper its desired elasticity.
Tamarind sauce is a harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors (Photo: ST)
People in Trảng Bàng often say that the deliciousness of Trảng Bàng dew-dried rice paper depends entirely on the weather. From the intensity of the sun to ensure the right dryness of the paper, to the puffiness required during baking, and even the conditions of the fog needed for the perfect softness. Perhaps it's for this reason that the weather in Tây Ninh is particularly suitable for making dew-dried rice paper, a specialty that cannot be found in other regions. After sun-drying for about 15-30 minutes depending on the sunlight, the rice paper is gathered, grilled over charcoal, and then left out for the fog to continue the drying process. After absorbing the fog for about 10-15 minutes, the rice paper becomes soft enough, and the artisans must quickly gather them to prevent them from becoming too soft or unevenly soaked in fog.
Enjoy Tây Ninh sesame rice paper with the locals
With sunshine, fog, and the essence of nature, perhaps stemming from this reverence, the people of Tây Ninh choose to enjoy dew-dried rice paper in the most simple way possible.
With just a bit of tamarind fish sauce mixed with chili salt, toasted shrimp powder, fried shallots… Trảng Bàng dew-dried rice paper is ready to be enjoyed. Soft and fragrant, carrying the savory taste of fine salt grains, dipped in tamarind sauce to unleash the sourness of tamarind, the spicy kick of chili salt, the savory bitterness of toasted shrimp powder along with the rich, fatty taste of fried shallots, it truly is an unforgettable gastronomic experience. The softness from absorbing fog ensures that each rice paper absorbs the tantalizing sauce evenly, elevating it to an indescribable level. It's no wonder many become addicted to Tây Ninh sesame rice paper, buying dozens of packs as gifts whenever passing through this land.
An innovative twist on Tây Ninh sesame rice paper (Photo: ST)
Officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in 2016, dew-dried Tây Ninh rice paper is now more than just a dish contributing to the richness of Tây Ninh cuisine but also a representative product showcasing the ingenuity and creativity in the lives of Tây Ninh residents. Hence, snack items like sesame rice paper can become specialties that bring pride to the people of Tây Ninh.
Some addresses to buy Tây Ninh sesame rice paper
- Minh Nhựt Sesame Rice Paper - Ô2/42AB Rạch Sơn neighborhood, Gò Dầu town, Gò Dầu district, Tây Ninh province
- Như Bình Salted Rice Paper - Group 8, Phước Dân hamlet, Phước Chỉ commune, Trảng Bàng district, Tây Ninh province
