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Consistently listed among the top 10 must-try dishes in Hanoi, Thanh Trì Rolls with their natural flavor, passed down through generations, have become an integral part of the capital's life.
The Art of Preparing Thanh Trì Rolls
Originating from Thanh Trì Ward, Hoàng Mai District, Hanoi, Thanh Trì Rolls are a renowned dish not only among Hanoians but also a wellspring of inspiration in poetry:
Thanh Trì delights in savory rice rolls,
With Ngũ Nhạc mountain and the Red River,
Scenic beauty and a bustling crowd in Thanh Trì,
Accompanied by the melody of bamboo flutes near lush green fields.
Unlike your typical rice rolls commonly found outside, Thanh Trì Rolls are prepared in a unique way, offering a distinct tasting experience. The rice used for these rolls must be Khang Dân rice, with the specific characteristic of not being too sticky or too soft, creating a smooth yet crumbly flour. The rice is soaked for 2-3 hours before being ground into powder. This powder is then mixed with water in the right proportion. The next step is the rice sheet coating process. The rolls are coated on a white cloth placed over a pot of boiling water at the precise temperature of 100 degrees. Once cooked, the chef delicately lifts the thin, white layers with a bamboo chopstick and spreads a layer of purple onion-infused lard before stacking them again.
While the process of making the rolls may sound easy, true mastery is required to execute it. Coating the rice sheets demands skill to ensure an even, not too thick, and not too thin layer. Using a bamboo chopstick to lift the rolls requires precision to avoid tearing or breaking. All of this relies on the smoothness honed over time by the local people.
A distinctive feature of Thanh Trì Rolls that sets them apart from other rice rolls is the absence of any filling. The rolls here are 100% made from rice flour, giving them a characteristic white color, layer by layer. When eaten, the distinct taste of pure rice flour is evident, meeting the standard.
Authentic Thanh Trì Rolls are served with fried tofu, cinnamon pork, Vietnamese pork sausage, and plenty of fried shallots on top. The dipping sauce is meticulously prepared, a blend of fish sauce, vinegar, essence of ca cuong beetle, a couple of fresh chili slices, and fried shallots.
Where to savor delicious Thanh Trì Rolls?
In the past, Thanh Trì Rolls were often taken to the streets, carried by women with bamboo trays on their heads. At a customer's call, the vendor would lower the tray, gently overturning each roll onto a plate, splitting them in half, and then stacking them together.
Bà Hoành Rice Roll Shop (photo source)
However, due to market changes, the street vendors selling rice rolls have gradually disappeared. One of the renowned places to enjoy Thanh Trì Rolls in Hanoi is Bà Hoành Rice Roll Shop at 66 Tô Hiến Thành. This rare rice roll shop still preserves the traditional flavor of Thanh Trì Rolls. The rolls here are pure white, delicate, and filling-free; those unaccustomed may find them subtly bland. The dipping sauce, distinct with its dark brown hue, sets it apart from others, accompanied by piping hot slices of Vietnamese pork sausage.
Discover the Timeless Flavor of Thanh Trì Rolls with its rustic and natural taste, echoing through generations, has become an integral part of Hanoi residents' lives. For those who have ventured far from the capital, this flavor is also a taste full of nostalgia.
