Hue, Vietnam’s culinary crown jewel, is a haven of gastronomic wonders, from mussel rice to beef noodle soup. Among its treasures is the wrapped glutinous rice dumpling, or bánh ít, a rustic delight that showcases the city’s knack for crafting bold flavors from simple ingredients. Filled with shrimp and bacon, this sticky treat is a must-try for anyone exploring Hue’s food scene, offering a taste of local tradition that’s both comforting and unforgettable.
The Craft of Hue Wrapped Glutinous Rice Dumpling
The allure of bánh ít begins with its carefully prepared components. The filling starts with fresh shrimp and bacon, chopped and stir-fried for 10 minutes with fish sauce and sugar over low heat until aromatic and richly seasoned. This reddish, sweet-salty mixture—simmered for about 30 minutes—forms the heart of the dumpling, ensuring a robust flavor that holds up through steaming. The glutinous rice dough comes in two forms: industrially ground powder, ready to use, or traditional powder made by soaking, grinding, and drying glutinous rice. The latter, when mixed with boiling water, yields a stickier, more flavorful dough—the key to a superior dumpling.
Once the filling is encased in the sticky dough, the balls are wrapped in banana leaves, a step that locks in flavor while making them portable and easy to store. Steamed to perfection, the dumpling emerges chewy and fragrant, with the leaf’s earthy scent enhancing the savory shrimp and bacon within. Though less famous than bánh lọc (tapioca dumpling) or bánh nậm (flat rice dumpling), bánh ít holds its own as a cherished Hue specialty, found across the city’s markets and stalls.
Savor Hue’s Sticky Tradition with Hue Smile Travel
Hue’s wrapped glutinous rice dumpling is a delicious nod to the city’s culinary heritage, blending sticky texture with a burst of sweet-salty goodness. Its rustic charm and rich taste make it a hidden gem worth discovering. Ready to indulge? Let Hue Smile Travel guide you to this sticky delight—book Hue Food tour today at huesmiletravel.com and taste the unforgettable essence of Hue’s bánh ít!
