One of the first places visitors can go to enjoy Hanoi’s xoi com (sticky rice with young green rice) is Cho Hom market. Every morning, as the sun’s rays begin to filter through the lush green trees, Cho Hom comes alive with the enticing aroma of xoi com. The xoi com sold here is not mass-produced, and the cooks usually only make it for families with special events or feasts.
Cho Hom’s xoi com has a natural green color from the young green rice, beautifully complemented by the yellow of mung beans, the white of coconut, and the shimmering brown of toasted sesame seeds. The beans add a nutty aroma, the sesame seeds a crunchy texture, and the coconut a touch of sweetness, creating an unforgettable flavor profile for this dish.
Huong Mai Xoi Com
Huong Mai’s xoi com is made with sticky rice, mixed with fresh young green rice, grated coconut, and mung beans, resulting in a visually appealing and delicious dish.
When you indulge in this xoi com, you’ll savor the rich, nutty, and buttery flavors, with a subtle hint of coconut and young green rice. In addition to xoi com, the shop offers other young green rice delicacies such as cha com (fried young green rice cakes) and fresh young green rice, perfect for enjoying during your Hanoi trip or as souvenirs.
Xoi Com Stalls in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
With the arrival of autumn, numerous xoi com and young green rice stalls pop up all over Hanoi, especially in the Old Quarter. To buy xoi com, you can head to the stalls on Chan Cam Street, Ly Quoc Su Street, or near the Cathedral. If you’re after the best xoi com, make your way to Hang Than Street, renowned for generations as the place to buy the finest young green rice in Hanoi.
A morning stroll through the Old Quarter will likely bring you across these xoi com vendors with their distinctive creaking carts. Young people often buy xoi com from these carts and then sit in one of the cafes around Ho Guom (Sword Lake) to enjoy their breakfast. The xoi com is wrapped in fresh lotus leaves, a hallmark of authentic Hanoi xoi com, capturing the very essence of the autumnal capital.
Lang Vong Xoi Com with Lotus Seeds
Lang Vong’s xoi com captivates both the eyes and the palate with its distinctive flavor and vibrant colors.
The secret to Lang Vong’s xoi com lies not only in the fragrant nếp hoa vàng (a type of sticky rice) but also in the skilled cooking technique that results in perfectly soft and sticky rice. The young green rice is expertly blended with mung beans, buttery coconut, lotus seeds, and a touch of sweetness, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every bite.
Moc Le Gia Xoi Com
Moc Le Gia is a well-known name when it comes to xoi com in Hanoi, whether for personal indulgence or as gifts. They use premium nếp cái hoa vàng (a variety of sticky rice with large, plump grains) and mix it with mung beans, lotus seeds, and grated coconut, wrapping the xoi com in lotus leaves to enhance its flavor.
Moc Le Gia is the go-to place if you’re looking for young green rice products to take home as gifts or enjoy yourself. They offer a variety of Hanoi specialties made from young green rice, including cha com, young green rice sausage, and fresh young green rice.
Thu Hue Xoi Com
Thu Hue is a traditional xoi com vendor loved by locals and tourists alike. Their young green rice products are not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing, making them ideal gifts. Thu Hue is meticulous in selecting the finest ingredients and takes great care in the preparation process to ensure the highest quality.