Tày Rice Cake – A Fragrant Memory

Tày people's rice cake is a widely popular and simple delicacy, leaving behind countless nostalgic memories.

Tày Rice Cake – A Fragrant Memory

As told by the Tày people, the name 'rice cake' is derived from 'straw,' originating from the golden straw season. When freshly harvested rice and golden straw are spread across the villages and fields, a fragrant aroma fills the air. Hence, the locals named this cake after that aromatic memory.

A delicacy made from humble yet skillfully chosen ingredients, demanding the clever hands of Tày women. The cake is crafted from sticky rice, mung beans, or pork, depending on each family's preference.

The ingredient selection phase is crucial; the rice used is high-quality sticky rice, freshly harvested, sun-dried until the grains are not too dry. The rice is soaked in water for half a day and ground into a smooth paste. The paste is placed in a cloth bag, inserted into a pile of finely burnt straw to absorb the moisture, or pressed with a stone. When the paste becomes a smooth, white, non-sticky mass, the cake is ready to be wrapped.

Sweet or savory fillings in cakes are based on each family's taste. For a sweet variation, the filling comprises ripe mashed mung beans mixed with sugar. For a savory choice, Tày people use pork belly sautéed with onions, pepper, and fragrant wood ear mushrooms as the cake filling.

During the wrapping process, Tày women skillfully place the filling in the center of the smooth dough, shaping it into a tight round within the palm of their hands. They wrap it with pre-boiled banana leaves, applying a thin layer of oil before wrapping to prevent the cake from sticking to the leaves. Then, they tie it with a soft string before steaming until fully cooked.

Once cooked, the Tày Rice Cake carries the aroma of sticky rice and the fragrance of the region's abundant produce. The mature cake, with its soft banana leaf exterior, reveals a layer of smooth, fragrant, and delicious dough. The more you chew, the more you savor the chewy, fragrant, soft, and rich texture in your mouth – a simple yet heartwarming experience, reminiscent of the breath of the homeland calling out to its people.

As reported by Afamily

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide