Green sticky rice, a traditional Vietnamese dish, is made from young glutinous rice. With its vibrant green color and enticing aroma, this dish is a must-try for any food enthusiast traveling to the S-shaped country.
If you are planning a Vietnam travel trip, make sure to try the country’s famous green sticky rice, also known as “com”. This traditional dish is made from young sticky rice harvested in autumn that goes through a sophisticated process to become the signature flat, green, and fragrant grains.
1. Origin of Vietnamese green sticky rice
Vong Village, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, is famous for its culinary specialty, com. This village is also the delicious dish’s place of origin, where it was created during a time of hardship.
Legend has it that during heavy rain and wind, the rice fields were submerged in water. The villagers had to cut the young rice grains, then dry, roast, and eat them to fight hunger. This reluctant product has now become a delicacy with unique flavor and appeal.
The villagers’ experience and creativity with young rice buds have created greener, thinner, and more fragrant nuggets, now known as green sticky rice (com).
2. Craft of making green sticky rice
Green sticky rice is a delicacy made from young glutinous rice, usually harvested in the late summer and early autumn months. Vong Village in Hanoi is known for its traditional method of making com.
Vietnamese rice must be harvested at the right time and carefully selected, sifted, and washed to create the perfect nuggets. The whole process is repeated seven times to ensure that all husks are removed, resulting in flat, young, green, and fragrant rice grains.
This delicacy is wrapped in old lotus leaves. Visitors can immerse themselves in the experience by visiting Vong Village during the nugget-making season, where they can hear the rhythmic sound of wooden pestles pounding into mortars and see the locals sift the young rice.
3. TOP Authentic Vietnamese recipes to enjoy green rice flakes
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its unique flavors and ingredients, and Vietnamese green sticky rice is no exception. In this article, we will explore some Vietnamese recipes that use green rice flakes:
3.1. Green Rice Flakes with Banana
Green sticky flakes and bananas are a popular and delicious combination in Hanoi. To get the best taste, it is recommended to use Cavendish bananas, which are sweet and firm. The adhesion of the bananas makes it easy to dip the nuggets without worrying about them falling off.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cavendish banana
- Half a bowl of sticky green flakes
The unique and delicious blend of nuggets with bananas (Source: Collected)
3.2. Green Sticky Rice Cake
Vietnamese green sticky rice cake, often bought as a gift, has a unique taste and flavor. The cake’s square shape represents the country, while the green color represents the countryside. The sweet green bean and coconut fillings reflect the love of Hanoi’s people for the visitors.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of dried green sticky flakes
- 200 grams of mung beans
- 150 grams of white granulated sugar
- 100 grams of glutinous rice flour
- 20 grams of shredded coconut
- Pandan leaves
- Seasonings include cooking oil, roasted sesame, and grapefruit flower essential oil
Indulge in the delicious flavor of green sticky rice cakes, a traditional Vietnamese dessert (Source: Collected)
3.3. Green Sticky Rice Sweet Soup
Green sticky rice sweet soup is a delicious treat that Hanoians enjoy during the autumn. To make this soup, meticulous cooks use flat, firm, and flavorful young rice grains and boil them with sugar water, tapioca flour, and green sticky flake leaves. Adding coconut milk, grapefruit juice, and shredded coconut gives the dish a fragrant and rich taste.
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of nuggets
- 10 pandan leaves
- 2 tablespoons of tapioca powder
- 50 grams of shredded coconut
- 50 grams of sugar
The scrumptious combination of chewy nuggets and creamy coconut milk in sticky rice sweet soup (Source: Collected)
3.4. Steamed Green Sticky Rice with Mung Beans
Steamed green sticky rice is a delicious and visually appealing dish in Hanoi. It is made with simple ingredients, including fresh nuggets, mung beans, lotus seeds, shredded coconut, and white sugar. The rich taste of mung beans, the fragrant lotus seeds, and the fatty taste of shredded coconut add the perfect touch to this dish.
Ingredients:
- 300 grams of fresh nuggets
- 100 grams of mung beans
- 50 grams of white sugar
- 30 grams of fresh lotus seeds
- 50 grams of shredded coconut
- Chicken fat soup
- Pandan leaves
Steamed green sticky rice with mung beans (Source: Collected)
3.5. Minced Meat Patties with Green Rice Flakes
Green sticky rice adds a twist to this versatile dish of minced meat patties. The nuggets are fried to perfection. The green rice flakes mixed with white-pounded meat brings a unique turquoise-blue color. This delicious dish can be enjoyed with bread or vermicelli noodles.
Ingredients:
- 150 grams of minced lean meat
- 100 grams of green sticky flakes
- 1 or 2 lotus leaves
Savory minced meat patties are paired perfectly with fluffy green rice flakes (Source: Collected)
4. BEST places to buy green sticky rice in Hanoi
Are you a foodie looking for the best places to buy “com” in Hanoi? Look no further! Here are some of the top locations in the city to satisfy your cravings:
- Ba Can Green Sticky Rice Vong Village: No. 19, Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Co Man Green Sticky Rice Vong Village: No. 44, Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Huy Linh Green Sticky Rice Vong Village: Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Le Gia Green Sticky Rice: Me Tri Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
- Ba Hoan Green Sticky Rice Vong Village: No. 36, Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Nguyen Ninh Green Sticky Rice: No. 11, Hang Than Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Thu Hue Green Sticky Rice: No. 16, Me Tri Thuong Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
- Green Sticky Rice – Tam Tam Vong Village: No. 8, Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Green Sticky Rice – Me Tri Village, Hanoi
Discover the unbeatable taste of freshly made Vietnamese nuggets in Hanoi (Source: Collected)
Vietnam is a country with a rich culture and delicious cuisine. Apart from savoring traditional Vietnamese dishes, make sure to visit the many famous destinations in this country. You won’t want to miss the stunning beaches of Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, the historic charm of Hoi An, the modern bustle of Da Nang, or the incredible beauty of Ha Long Bay. With so much to explore and experience, a trip to Vietnam promises to be an unforgettable adventure.
If you are looking for a delicious and unique culinary experience in Hanoi, you must try the savory and fragrant green sticky rice. This traditional dish not only offers a delicious taste but also a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Northern Vietnam. Its unique flavor and green color is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.
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