Unlike the traditional version of banh cuon dipped in fish sauce, served with cinnamon sausage or grilled sausage, the version of banh cuon chan in Thai Nguyen is somewhat strange to first-time diners.
Thai Nguyen rice rolls are made from good rice flour, usually new rice, soaked for two days before grinding. The rice rolls are thin and soft, embracing the minced meat and wood ear filling. Rice rolls also have fatty soft-boiled eggs.
Banh cuon chan is enjoyed with a sweet bone broth, sprinkled with fried onions, herbs, minced meat, and wood ear mushrooms. Although fish sauce, chili vinegar, or pepper can be added, many people still prefer the original flavor of Thai Nguyen Banh Cuon chan.
If only listening to the description of how to eat, many people easily mistake Thai Nguyen rice rolls with Cao Bang rice rolls.
However, the owner of a famous banh cuon shop for more than 30 years at the intersection of Cach Mang Thang 8 - Phan Dinh Phung streets (Thai Nguyen city), shared that banh cuon chan has existed long before the emergence of Cao Bang banh cuon shops.
Although there are many similarities, the taste and appearance of Thai Nguyen rice rolls and Cao Bang rice rolls still have some unmistakable differences.
Cao Bang rice rolls usually only have egg yolks coated with flour. When making the rolls, the maker waits for the eggs to be slightly cooked before rolling the rice paper, which is usually thicker.
Meanwhile, Thai Nguyen rice rolls have an additional rice roll filling of minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and soft-boiled egg yolk with a thinner rice paper.
In addition, Cao Bang rice rolls are often eaten with ham, while Thai Nguyen rice rolls are not. Or if there are side dishes, Thai Nguyen rice rolls are often eaten with grilled pork rolls wrapped in betel leaves.
In addition to traditional rice rolls and white rice rolls, Thai Nguyen people also have rice rolls with egg dipping sauce.
Unlike egg rolls in Hanoi - which usually keep the egg intact when spreading with the flour, egg rolls in Thai Nguyen usually have the egg beaten, mixed with the flour before spreading.
Diners can find Banh Cuon Chan at most Banh Cuon shops in Thai Nguyen. Some famous addresses include Banh Cuon Cho, Banh Cuon Cho Ga, Banh Cuon Nam Nhung, Banh Cuon at Cach Mang Thang Tam - Phan Dinh Phung intersection...
