Cốm cakes, gio cakes, shrimp cakes, and more are among the unique and traditional dishes that no one in the Capital is unaware of. As traditional cakes, their flavors are exceptionally distinctive, unmatched by other regions. Let’s explore these delightful treats together.
1 Cốm Cake
Cốm cake is undoubtedly one of Hanoi’s specialties. To find the most authentic and delicious version, visit Nguyên Ninh shop at 11 Hàng Than slope. These green, chewy, and sweet cakes, infused with the aroma of coconut, offer a soft, buttery, and sweet taste that’s truly delightful.
Cốm Cake
To identify genuine cốm cakes, examine the packaging. Authentic ones feature upright, capitalized fonts, with “Nguyên Ninh” written in Chinese characters, not the “hỷ” symbol.
Top places to enjoy cốm cake:
- Nguyên Ninh Cốm Cake: 11 Hàng Than slope, Ba Đình.
- Mễ Trì Cốm Village: Alley 70, Lane 116, Miếu Đầm Ward, Mễ Trì, Từ Liêm, Hanoi.
2 Gio Cake with Molasses
Gio Cake with Molasses
Gio cake, also known as song cake, ash cake, or ash-filled cake, varies in shape—long, flat, or rounded—depending on the maker. However, the quintessential version features a chewy, amber-colored cake, perfectly paired with sweet molasses.
Best spots for gio cake with molasses:
- 79 Phố Huế, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng.
- Opposite 19 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Hoàn Kiếm.
- 1 Lương Khánh Thiện Street, Tương Mai, Hoàng Mai, Hanoi.
3 Shrimp Cake
Shrimp Cake
Shrimp cake is a signature dish of Tây Hồ, crafted from simple ingredients like shrimp, eggs, and flour. This crispy delight, served hot, offers a sweet, tender shrimp flavor, best enjoyed with fish sauce—a true culinary delight.
Top spots for shrimp cake:
- Hồ Tây Shrimp Cake Restaurant: 1 Thanh Niên Road, Yên Phụ, Tây Hồ, Hanoi.
- Thanh Tâm Shrimp Cake: 63 Đặng Thai Mai Street, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hanoi.
4 Savory Fried Cake
Savory Fried Cake
Savory fried cake is filled with a delicious mix of minced pork, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and carrots. Its thin, crispy exterior pairs perfectly with sweet and sour fish sauce and pickled vegetables—a match made in culinary heaven.
This irresistible treat often draws long lines of eager customers.
Best places for savory fried cake:
- Võng Thị Fried Cake: 242 Lạc Long Quân Road, Bưởi, Tây Hồ, Hanoi.
- Hoàn-Giảng Võ Fried Cake: 103C6 Trần Huy Liệu, Giảng Võ, Ba Đình.
- 11 Tô Ngọc Vân Road, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hanoi.
- 126 Kim Ngưu Street, Thanh Nhàn, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi.
5 Hot Bánh Đúc
Hot Bánh Đúc
On chilly Hanoi mornings, a bowl of hot bánh đúc, chewy and smooth, topped with minced pork and crispy fried shallots, drizzled with sweet and sour fish sauce, is pure comfort.
Top spots for hot bánh đúc:
- 296 Minh Khai Alley, Hai Bà Trưng.
- Trung Tự Hot Bánh Đúc: 103 B5, Alley 46C, Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, Trung Tự, Đống Đa, Hanoi.
- 112 Trương Định, Hai Bà Trưng.
- Thuốc Bắc – Hàng Phèn Intersection, Hoàn Kiếm.
- 14c Hàng Than, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.
6 Floating Rice Cake
Floating Rice Cake
Floating rice cake is another beloved traditional dish of Hanoi. A bowl of steaming hot cakes, paired with a sweet ginger-infused sauce, is simply divine.
Best places for floating rice cake:
- Bà Thìn Sticky Rice and Sweet Soup: 1 Bát Đàn Street, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.
- Phố Pháo Đài Láng entrance, Ba Đình.
- Ngọc Hà Market intersection with Lê Hồng Phong, Ba Đình.
- Cô Bích: 80 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.
There you have it—six traditional cakes of Hanoi. If you ever visit, be sure to try these delightful treats!
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Step into the world of culinary delights as we bring you a taste of the iconic Hue shrimp cake – a delicacy that has captivated the hearts of many. Join us in the kitchen as we unravel the simplicity of creating this mouth-watering treat, perfect for a cozy family gathering or a special occasion with loved ones. It’s time to impress and indulge!
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