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Relive Your Childhood with 5 Authentic and Lesser-known Cakes from the Western Region

The Western region of Vietnam is renowned for its delectable and enticing traditional cakes. Discover these hidden gems with our article on 5 lesser-known traditional cakes from the Western region.

Administrator

18 November, 2023

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Folk cakes captivate many people with their attractive appearance and delicious flavor. However, there are many traditional cakes that are not well-known, and are only available in a few places. Let’s explore 5 lesser-known folk cakes from the Mekong Delta!

1Pork Rice Cake (Flower Cake)

Pork rice cake, also known as flower cake, has a cute flower-like shape. The cake can be found in Cà Mau and Bạc Liêu.

At first glance, the cake has many white circles that resemble pig’s nostrils, which is why people call it pork rice cake. Pork rice cake is made from rice, sesame seeds, and coconut.

After molding the cake, the skillful baker shapes the cake into beautiful flower petals. The baked cake is fragrant and has an attractive golden color.

Pork Rice Cake (Flower Cake)

2Hedgehog Cake

Hedgehog cake is also a traditional folk cake characteristic of the Mekong Delta provinces. The cake has a hedgehog-like shape that is very cute.

The cake is made from wheat flour, and the filling inside can be mung bean or coconut rice. The cake’s crust has many sharp spikes resembling a hedgehog, hence the name.

Hedgehog Cake

3Silver Hair Cake

Silver hair cake is a specialty cake from Sóc Trăng. Each piece of cake is pure white, covered with dried coconut threads resembling silver hair. That’s why the cake has this name.

The cake is made from rice flour, sugar, and roasted dry coconut. The cake has a fragrant and chewy taste of glutinous rice and a rich and greasy flavor of grated coconut. The sweet and soft taste of this cake will make you want to eat it endlessly.

Silver Hair Cake

4Custard Apple Cake

Custard apple cake is a type of sticky cake. This cake usually appears during Tet in the Mekong Delta, carrying a special meaning – hope for all the good things in the new year. As of now, this type of cake is only available in a few regions in the Mekong Delta.

You will notice the cute custard apple shapes made from sticky rice flour and mung bean filling mixed with sugar, while the elegant green color of the crust is derived from pandan leaves, creating a beautiful and fragrant cake. The cake-making process is meticulous, including roasting and shaping the outer crust into small beads resembling mung beans, then forming them into round shapes and placing them on the filling to resemble custard apple skin.

Custard Apple Cake

4Bần Rice Cake (An Giang Flower Cake)

The bần rice cake, also known as An Giang flower cake, is a traditional cake in An Giang. However, very few people make this cake now, and it is only available in scattered locations in Chợ Mới, An Giang.

The cake is made from wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, and other ingredients. Under the skillful hands of the craftsmen, the cake has beautiful flower petals. When baked, the white filling inside the flower petals rises, creating a beautiful appearance.

Bần Rice Cake (An Giang Flower Cake)

Above are 5 delicious and adorable folk cakes from the Mekong Delta that few people know about. If you have the opportunity to travel to the Mekong Delta provinces, be sure to try these delicious cakes!

Frequently asked questions

There are several delicious and unique cakes that originate from this region, including Bánh Cam, Bánh Tằm, Bánh Phồng Sữa, Bánh Pía, and Bánh Xèo. Each of these cakes has a distinct taste and texture, and they are all worth trying if you want to relive your childhood or simply explore the diverse cuisine of Vietnam.

Bánh Cam, or ‘orange cake’, is a deep-fried cake made from sticky rice flour, mung bean, and coconut milk. The name comes from its orange color, which is created by using gac fruit or annatto seeds. It has a chewy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor.

Bánh Tằm, or ‘silk worm cake’, gets its name from its unique shape that resembles silk worms. It is made from rice flour, tapioca starch, and coconut milk, and is steamed until translucent. Bánh Tằm has a soft, sticky texture and is often served with coconut flakes and a sweet fish sauce dip.

Bánh Phồng Sữa is a type of inflated rice cake that is crispy on the outside and airy on the inside. The key ingredient is powdered milk, which gives it a distinct milky flavor. These cakes are often served as a snack and are perfect for those who love the combination of crispiness and lightness.

Bánh Pía is a traditional cake that originated in the Soc Trang province. It has a thin, flaky pastry exterior and a filling made from durian, egg yolk, and pork fat. The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it a unique and indulgent treat.

Bánh Xèo is a savory Vietnamese cake made from rice flour, water, and turmeric powder. It is often filled with slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. The name, which translates to ‘sizzling cake’, comes from the loud sizzling sound it makes when the batter is poured into the hot pan.