Bánh tẻ facts for kids
Wrapped bánh tẻ
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| Alternative names | Bánh răng bừa |
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| Place of origin | Red River Delta region, Vietnam |
| Region or state | Northern Vietnam |
| Main ingredients | Plain (non-glutinous) white rice, minced pork shoulder, Judas's ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), onion, salt, pepper |
Bánh tẻ (say "banh teh") is a yummy, small steamed rice cake from Vietnam. Its name means "rice cakes" in Vietnamese. People also call it bánh răng bừa. This special treat comes from the Red River Delta area in northern Vietnam.
Bánh tẻ is made from rice flour. It is wrapped in special leaves called Lá dong leaves. The cakes are shaped like long, thin cylinders. Then, they are boiled until they are fully cooked.
This dish is very popular in Hà Tây Province, which is close to Hanoi. You can find bánh tẻ in other parts of Vietnam too. The exact taste and ingredients can be a little different depending on where you are.
Contents
What's in Bánh tẻ?
Bánh tẻ is made with simple, fresh ingredients. The main part is plain white rice, which is not sticky like some other kinds of rice. In Vietnamese, this rice is called gạo tẻ.
The filling usually includes:
- Finely chopped pork shoulder
- A type of mushroom called Judas's ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae)
- Onion
- Salt
- Black pepper
Sometimes, people add other tasty things. These might include peanuts or chopped shiitake mushrooms.
How to Make Bánh tẻ
Making bánh tẻ takes a bit of time and care. Here's how it's done:
Preparing the Rice Paste
First, the rice is soaked in water. It needs to get soft enough to work with. Then, the soft rice is ground by hand. This turns the rice into a thick, watery mix. This mix is then gently cooked. It's stirred for about three hours. The goal is to make it into a thick, smooth paste.
Making the Filling
For the yummy center, the pork, onion, and shiitake mushrooms are chopped very finely. Then, they are all mixed together.
Wrapping the Cakes
Now, it's time to put it all together!
- A thin layer of the rice paste is spread onto a Lá dong leaf.
- Next, a layer of the mixed filling is placed on top of the paste.
- Another layer of rice paste goes over the filling.
- The leaf is then carefully wrapped around the mixture. This forms a long, slender cylinder.
- The wrapped cake is tied with string to keep its shape.
Cooking the Bánh tẻ
The final step is to steam the bánh tẻ. They are steamed for about 20 minutes. This makes sure they are perfectly cooked and ready to eat!
How to Enjoy Bánh tẻ
Bánh tẻ is often served with nước mắm (fish sauce). A little black pepper is usually sprinkled on top for extra flavor.
Unlike some Vietnamese dishes that are only made for holidays, bánh tẻ can be enjoyed all year round. It's a delicious and traditional snack or light meal!
See also
In Spanish: Bánh tẻ para niños
