Hanoi folk songs have long passed down a saying: "Ga village has a banyan tree, a cool river to bathe in, and the profession of cooking sticky rice".
Ga village is the ancient name given by the people of Ke Ga village, now Phu Gia, located on the banks of the Red River, now in Phu Thuong ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi . Late in the afternoon, the villagers were busy washing leaves, soaking beans, and soaking lotus, the mothers and grandmothers told each other to do it quickly, dusk began to descend on the communal house roof, children played under the banyan tree. started to disperse.
Early the next morning, the sky was still dark, the whole village was awakened by the fragrant scent of sticky rice and the smell of homemade fried onions. That scent seems to encapsulate the essence of heaven and earth, of ripe rice, of sticky rice and yellow flowers, of the hands of the maker.
Phu Thuong sticky rice is also the elegant beauty of Hanoi people. The sticky and fragrant sticky rice seeds are like that, because every person working in this profession always keeps in mind that "whatever the restaurant looks like, it's done exactly like that" - clean, skillful, meticulous in every step.
Rumor has it that Phu Thuong people not only make delicious sticky rice but are also cheerful and welcoming. When adding a little shrimp paste, when picking up a few peanut balls, a few coconut fibers, the sticky rice seller moves his hands and feet non-stop, each package takes less than a minute.
Ms. Nguyet - a resident selling sticky rice in Phu Thuong, shared: "I have been selling sticky rice here for 15 years. I make many types of sticky rice, but the best sold are sticky rice and peanut sticky rice, because it's rustic and easy to eat."
Ms. Nguyet said that on average she sells 3 large baskets of sticky rice every day. Sticky rice shops are most crowded from 6-8am. Because they sell delicious, sticky, and clean sticky rice, the restaurant has many regular customers who often come back.
Whether it's a handful of sticky rice quickly picked up to go to work as a "sure" breakfast gift or sent on flights to international friends as a pride in the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine, Phu Thuong sticky rice always impresses with its flavor. rustic, nostalgic of home.
The good thing about sticky rice is that everyone, from the elderly to children, likes it, can eat it every day and is not difficult to find. Over time, Phu Thuong sticky rice has been transformed into many types, not only traditional dishes such as sticky rice, coconut sticky rice but also a series of other dishes such as five-color sticky rice, green bean sticky rice, lotus seed sticky rice, and peanut sticky rice. , sticky rice with pandan leaves...
However, even though it is transformed into many different types, Phu Thuong sticky rice still retains its naturally sweet flavor, not harshly sweet from sugar, nor colorful from food coloring, but frugal and just right to please people. we must love and remember.
Since 2019, Phu Thuong sticky rice has been honored to be granted a Trademark Registration Certificate. The profession of making Phu Thuong sticky rice was also included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage on February 16, 2024, from which to promote traditional values and transmit them to the next generation.
Each firm grain carefully packed in lotus leaves is several times more fragrant, and the taste of Phu Thuong sticky rice is even more complete. Although the sticky rice basket is simple, it is the hereditary folk knowledge and experience of the people working in the profession, and is the pride and national identity.
