Max McFarlin, a YouTuber famous for his street food exploration videos, has spent a lot of time learning about Vietnamese culture and cuisine.
Recently, in one of his vlogs, Max revealed the reason he flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in winter, just to enjoy the "unique" snacks of the capital, which are banh giay gio, congee ribs, and banh chuoi.
Banh giay gio
Max's first destination was a banh giay gio stall that had existed since the 1950s, located on Duong Thanh Street (Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem).
Banh giay, a traditional Vietnamese dish, is described by Max McFarlin as “like Japanese mochi but chewier.”
Made from steamed and pounded sticky rice, banh giay is soft and chewy, and goes perfectly with fillings such as beef sausage, pork sausage or green rice sausage.
The cake is wrapped in banana leaves, when eating you have to slowly peel it off, feeling each soft layer mixed with the rich flavor of the ham.
Max was particularly impressed with the way the seller skillfully wrapped the cakes in banana leaves, helping to retain the heat and flavor.
“This cake is more like a gift than a dish,” Max emphasized the sophistication and elaborateness in the way the cake was wrapped.
One of the reasons Max loves this dish is the warm feeling when holding a banh giay in his hand in the cold weather of Hanoi.
He shared: “The crispy rice cake, the flavorful pork roll and the mildly spicy chili sauce made it impossible for me to stop eating. The rice cake here is very special, especially when eaten in cold weather."
Mrs. Loi Cong's Rib Porridge
An indispensable part of Max's journey to discover Hanoi's winter cuisine is rib congee. Max chose the famous Mrs. Loi Cong rib porridge restaurant on Hang Dieu street (Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem).
Cooked from ground rice and rib broth, rib congee has a smooth, fatty texture. Max was most impressed with the combination of hot congee, crispy fried dough, and a bit of spicy pepper.
He describes: “The rib porridge brings a strange feeling of warmth, especially when the weather is below 10 degrees Celsius. The flavor of the pork ribs blends with the congee to create a wonderful dish, reminiscent of European-style stews but more delicate. The taste is quite similar to butter sauce and the fried dough sticks are equivalent to biscuits.”
Banana cake, Russian potato cake
Closing the journey of discovering the capital's cuisine, Max chose fried banana cake - one of the most popular snacks in Hanoi.
In the old quarter, Max went to a familiar restaurant located in a small alley at number 2, Hang Dieu street (Hang Gai, Hoan Kiem).
He enjoyed the hot fried banana cake, with the crispy crust encasing the sweet banana inside.
Max commented: “Banana cake is not only a snack, but also a part of the childhood memories of many Vietnamese people. The natural sweet taste of banana, mixed with the crispy fried dough, makes me remember it forever.”
From fragrant sticky rice cake, warm rib congee, to hot banana cake, each dish brings its own story, reflecting the cultural beauty and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people.
For Max McFarlin, culinary exploration is not just a taste experience but also a journey connecting the people and the lands he visits.
