1. What is Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau? Why is this dish so loved?

Banh duc tau Hai Phong is the essence of the characteristic cuisine of the Port Land. (Source: Collected)

Banh duc tau Hai Phong is a rustic dish but contains a story about cultural exchange and the characteristic culinary essence of the Port Land. Not only attractive for its soft, chewy, and rich flavor, this dish also carries a strong historical imprint, becoming a source of pride in the culinary life of Hai Phong people.

1.1. Chinese Origin and the Process of Spreading in Hai Phong

The journey of Banh duc tau Hai Phong began in the 1970s, when the Chinese community migrated from the South, bringing culinary essences to the Port Land. Among them, Banh duc tau quickly affirmed its position on the Hai Phong culinary map thanks to its flexible adaptation to the taste of local people.

Unlike the traditional Chinese version which is usually dry, hard, steamed in wooden trays and eaten with strong soy sauce, Banh duc tau Hai Phong is adapted to be soft and chewy, with a light, easy-to-enjoy dipping sauce, suitable for all ages.

The appeal of Banh duc tau Hai Phong also comes from its convenience and affordable price. It is a perfect choice for a quick breakfast, a light afternoon snack, or when wanting a change of taste in cool weather, contributing to the characteristic cuisine of the port city.

1.2. Cultural Significance and Special Appeal in Hai Phong Cuisine

Banh duc tau Hai Phong is not just a dish but also evokes childhood memories for many generations of the port land's people. Its unique flavor, hard to find elsewhere, has contributed to the unique characteristic of Hai Phong cuisine.

The image of Banh duc tau carts weaving through the streets, from the old quarter to new residential areas, has become a familiar part of daily life. The calls of street vendors echo everywhere, carrying the aroma and warmth from freshly steamed bánh, making it unforgettable for anyone.

For the people of Hai Phong, Banh duc tau is also a cultural bridge, demonstrating the combination of culinary essence and unique creativity of this land. It is this connection that has made Banh duc tau Hai Phong a characteristic culinary symbol, whenever the city of red flamboyant flowers is mentioned.

2. Outstanding Characteristics of Banh duc tau Hai Phong

Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau has a special flavor. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau is a dish that bears the strong imprint of the port city's street food, nổi bật bởi hương vị hài hòa và cách chế biến tinh tế. Each part of the cake, topping, and sweet and sour fish sauce are meticulously prepared, creating an overall dish that is both rustic and refined, making it unforgettable for anyone who tries it once.

2.1. Ingredients for the cake

The essence of Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau lies in the cake made from carefully selected rice. The preparation process begins by soaking the rice in clean water for at least 6 hours, then grinding it finely to create a smooth, uniform batter.

The ratio of rice flour, water, and salt determines the perfect texture of the cake. The mixture is stirred until completely dissolved and rested for about 30 minutes to allow the batter to absorb water. When steaming, each layer of batter is spread evenly on an oiled tray, steamed for 3 – 4 minutes until the cake is just cooked, about 1 cm thick.

The finished product is ivory-white slices of cake, with a smooth, glossy surface, not cracking or breaking when cut. When enjoyed, the cake offers a moderately chewy texture, neither too soft nor too hard, easily absorbing the characteristic dipping sauce, creating a complete culinary experience for diners.

2.2. Characteristic Toppings

One of the characteristic highlights of Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau is its diverse and eye-catching topping. Fresh shrimp, after peeling, are lightly marinated with salt and spices, then quickly stir-fried in a hot pan until they turn pinkish-orange, retaining their natural sweetness.

Pork belly is cut into small pieces, marinated with spices, then stir-fried until firm, fragrant, and savory, with the lean meat and fat blending to create a harmonious richness that balances the overall flavor. Green papaya is cleaned, blanched, and diced, then mixed with a little annatto powder for a light orange color, providing a crisp, refreshing taste that mellows the richness of the shrimp and meat.

Many eateries also add crispy fried shallots and shredded wood ear mushrooms to enhance the layers of flavor, making the Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau dish richer and more appealing in both color and taste, offering a complete culinary experience for diners.

2.3. Sweet and Sour Fish Sauce

The dipping sauce is a crucial element that highlights the characteristic flavor of Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau. The traditional recipe includes good fish sauce, rice vinegar, rock sugar, minced garlic, and thinly sliced red chili, blended to create a distinctive flavor.

The mixing ratio requires finesse so that the saltiness of the fish sauce harmonizes with the slight sourness of the vinegar, the refreshing sweetness from the sugar, and the mild spiciness of the chili. After mixing, the fish sauce is usually left to settle for about 15 – 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to fully meld, enhancing its aroma and appeal.

The characteristic of the dipping sauce for Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau is its moderate dilution, allowing it to soak evenly into the cake without losing its inherent chewy softness. When poured over the cake, the sauce connects all the ingredients, creating a complete, rich, and unforgettable culinary experience for diners.

3. Experiencing Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau

Enjoy authentic Hai Phong's banh duc tau. (Source: Collected)

Enjoying Hai Phong's banh duc tau properly means eating it while it's hot, maintaining its chewy softness, with freshly prepared toppings and warm dipping sauce for the most complete flavor.

From the very first bite, diners will experience a perfect harmony: the soft, chewy banh duc combined with the crisp freshness of papaya, the rich fattiness of pork belly, the sweet freshness of shrimp, and the mild spiciness of sweet and sour fish sauce, creating an unforgettable, rich flavor profile.

First-time tasters will easily be impressed by the unique combination of ingredients. However, this dish quickly wins over diners' palates, making many want to try it again to fully appreciate it. Many tourists, after visiting Hai Phong, become loyal fans of banh duc tau, always seeking out famous eateries whenever they return to the city.

Locals also often create small variations, such as adding toppings according to preference or adjusting the spiciness of the dipping sauce, bringing richness and personalization to each traditional banh duc serving.

4. Hai Phong's Banh Duc Tau – Culinary Cultural Value of the Port City

Hai Phong banh duc tau is a characteristic dish of the port city. (Source: Collected)

Hai Phong banh duc tau has become an indispensable part of the daily life of the city's residents. From the streets around Co Dao Market, Luong Van Can to modern residential areas, the calls of banh duc tau vendors echo regularly, creating a unique characteristic for Hai Phong's culinary culture.

Banh duc tau stalls, whether large or small, are always bustling with customers at fixed hours. In the early morning, workers and office staff stop by for breakfast; in the afternoon, students come; and in the evening, the dish becomes an ideal choice for groups of friends and families, gathering to enjoy in the cool atmosphere of the port city.

The price of Hai Phong banh duc tau ranges from 15,000 – 20,000 dong per bowl, depending on the topping type and location, suitable for many people, from students to tourists who want to experience local cuisine without costing much.

The appeal of the dish is also evident in its widespread presence in large and small markets across the city. Each area has banh duc tau stalls with their own style, contributing to enriching and diversifying the experience of Hai Phong's famous traditional dish.

5. Best Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau Addresses 2025

Co Chuyen's Banh Duc Tau stall is loved by tourists. (Source: Collected)

Banh Duc Tau has long been a rustic snack associated with the lives of Hai Phong people, possessing a rich flavor and unique characteristics. In 2025, visitors to the port city can easily find famous Banh Duc Tau stalls, which preserve the essence of ancient cuisine while offering a warm and intimate experience in the heart of the coastal city.

Co Chuyen's stall (opens from 2 PM), located at 186 Hai Ba Trung Street, near the intersection of Cat Dai – Cat Cut, is one of the famous addresses when mentioning Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau. With over 30 years of experience, Co Chuyen has become a familiar name for those who love this dish. The stall serves in a traditional style, with a street vendor's cart placed right on the sidewalk, contributing to preserving the characteristic features of Hai Phong street food. Here, the recipe for the cake and the dipping sauce remain unchanged from the beginning. The Banh Duc is soft and chewy, with shrimp and pork toppings stir-fried on the spot, so it's always piping hot. The sweet and sour dipping sauce mixed according to a unique ratio makes customers remember it forever. The stall usually sells out around 2 PM, so those who want to enjoy it should come early.

Besides Co Chuyen's, the Co Dao Market area is also an ideal spot to experience Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau with stable quality, fast service, and reasonable prices for everyone. The Banh Duc here stands out for its chewy softness and generous toppings, easily satisfying customers.

Other locations such as Luong Van Can Market, May Da Market, or the area in front of Cong Nhan Cinema (Ngo Quyen District) also have many quality Banh Duc Tau stalls, primarily serving locals, offering a friendly and intimate atmosphere, helping diners fully experience Hai Phong's culinary culture.

6. Guide to making Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau at home

Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau is not just a rustic dish but also a characteristic feature associated with the culinary culture of the port city's people. With a few familiar ingredients and meticulous preparation, you can completely make this piping hot, chewy, fragrant, authentic-tasting Banh Duc right at home.

6.1. Preparing necessary ingredients and tools

Before starting to prepare Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau, preparing all ingredients and tools is an important step to ensure the authentic original flavor. Meticulousness from selecting flour, toppings, to seasonings will determine the chewiness, fragrance, and attractiveness of the dish after completion.

To make Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau at home, you need to prepare about 500g of quality rice flour, not mixed with glutinous rice flour, to achieve the standard chewy texture. Additionally, coarse salt and clean water are needed to mix the flour. For the toppings, prepare 200g of medium-sized fresh shrimp, 150g of fresh pork belly, along with one green papaya weighing about 300 – 400g.

Annatto powder, used to give the papaya a light orange color, can be bought at spice shops. You should also prepare dried shallots for sautéing and wood ear mushrooms if you want to add more special flavor to the toppings. Seasonings for the dipping sauce include good quality fish sauce, rock sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and bird's eye chili, helping the cake achieve its full traditional flavor when enjoyed.

Regarding tools, you need a steamer or a large pot for steaming, a flat tray for making the cake, a sharp knife for cutting, a non-stick pan for the toppings, and small bowls for presentation. The cake tray should have a flat bottom, not too deep, helping the cake cook evenly and be easy to remove, ensuring the final product is both chewy and attractive.

6.2. Steps for preparing the Banh Duc, toppings, and dipping sauce

To create the authentic Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau flavor, the preparation process requires meticulousness and skill in each step. From making the soft and chewy cake, preparing rich toppings, to mixing a harmonious sweet and sour dipping sauce — all contribute to creating the rustic yet unforgettable dish of the port city's people.

To make Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau at home, first, soak the rice in clean water for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. Then, grind the rice very finely, add salt and just enough water, stir well, then let the batter rest for about 30 minutes to fully absorb the water.

Next, lightly grease the tray with oil, pour the batter into a layer about 1 cm thick, and steam for 3 – 4 minutes until the cake turns translucent. Repeat until the desired amount of cake is made. When the cake cools, cut it into bite-sized pieces.

The toppings are prepared separately: peeled shrimp, seasoned, then quickly stir-fried over high heat to retain freshness and sweetness; minced pork belly, seasoned, then stir-fried until firm; peeled papaya, blanched, diced, and mixed with annatto powder for an eye-catching orange color, making it visually appealing and retaining its crispness.

The dipping sauce is made from good quality fish sauce, cooled boiled water, vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and sliced chili. The mixing ratio is balanced, creating a harmonious sweet and sour taste, not too salty or sweet, helping the Banh Duc absorb the flavors evenly and retain its characteristic taste.

6.3. Notes and tips for delicious, chewy, authentic-tasting cake

To make Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau taste authentic like at the stalls, the cook needs to pay attention to every small detail during preparation. From selecting rice, steaming the cake, to mixing the dipping sauce and preparing toppings, each step directly affects the chewiness, softness, and characteristic flavor of the dish.

To have delicious and chewy Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau, use pure rice, carefully selected, removing broken or discolored grains. When grinding the flour, grind it very finely and sieve it so the flour is smooth and even, helping the cake achieve the standard chewy texture.

When steaming the cake, maintain medium heat so the cake cooks evenly, avoiding the cake becoming dry or undercooked. After each steaming layer, let the cake cool before pouring the next layer, helping the layers not stick together and retain their characteristic smooth softness.

The toppings should be stir-fried quickly over high heat to retain freshness. Shrimp should not be overcooked to avoid toughness, pork stir-fried until firm but still tender. The dipping sauce, after mixing, should be left to settle for about 15 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference, helping the Banh Duc enjoyed with the sauce achieve its full flavor.

7. Notes on enjoying and storing Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau

Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau is not just a rustic dish but also carries the unforgettable characteristic flavor of the port city's cuisine. However, to fully appreciate the chewy softness and rich flavor of this dish, diners need to pay attention to the best time to eat and proper storage methods.

The ideal time to enjoy Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau is on a cool morning or a pleasant afternoon, when the body needs energy. The cool air helps the palate fully perceive the characteristic sweet and sour taste of the dipping sauce and the appealing aroma from the toppings.

First-time eaters should start with a small portion to get acquainted with the unique taste of the cake. For regular customers, they can request extra toppings or adjust the spiciness of the dipping sauce to their liking.

Hai Phong Banh Duc Tau is best enjoyed on the same day, especially when the cake and toppings are still warm. If storage is needed, wrap the cake tightly, keep it in a cool place, away from direct sunlight. The toppings should be stored separately in the refrigerator and reheated before eating to preserve flavor.

Banh Duc Tau should not be stored in the refrigerator overnight as the cake will become hard, losing its characteristic chewy softness. If the cake becomes dry after storage, it can be re-steamed or lightly reheated in the microwave, but the flavor will not be as complete as when freshly made.

Travel to Cat Ba Island quickly by Sun World cable car. (Photo: Collected)

If you have time to travel in Hai Phong, besides enjoying delicious food, visitors can visit many beautiful landscapes. You can spend a day traveling to Cat Ba Island by Sun World cable car to have wonderful experiences with this land.

With its rustic yet rich and unforgettable flavor, Hai Phong banh duc tau is not only a familiar snack but also a culinary beauty associated with the childhood of many people in the Port City. The harmonious combination of soft banh duc, sweet and sour fish sauce, and hot toppings makes everyone who tries it feel nostalgic. If you have the chance to visit the Red Phoenix Flower City, don't forget to stop by and enjoy Hai Phong banh duc tau 2025 – a simple delicacy that fully embodies the soul of the countryside and the affection of the port people.

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