With over 4 million subscribers, Karissa Dumbacher gives bánh đúc 9/10 after tasting the savory, sticky snack in a tucked-away alley.
“Don’t be afraid to walk down a narrow, dimly lit alley like this - because you’ll find delicious hot bánh đúc here. You won’t regret it,” exclaimed an American traveler after her culinary adventure in Hanoi.
Karissa Dumbacher, a U.S.-based YouTuber with over 4.3 million subscribers, recently visited Hanoi to explore its vibrant street food scene.
Among the many dishes she sampled - beef pho, bánh cuốn, bánh mì, bún chả - Karissa was especially impressed by a traditional afternoon snack beloved by locals: hot bánh đúc.
To enjoy this dish, Karissa ventured deep into a small alley off Le Ngoc Han Street to find one of Hanoi’s oldest and most famous bánh đúc stalls.
Though the alley was dark and slightly eerie in the evening, her excitement over the prospect of discovering a beloved local delicacy overshadowed any apprehension.
Karissa walks through a dark, narrow alley in Hanoi to find a renowned bánh đúc shop.
Stepping through the alley, Karissa was surprised to find a cozy and airy courtyard where the eatery was located.
Customers could sit outdoors or indoors, with five to seven plastic tables already set up.
At the front, a small counter held ingredients, steaming broth, and a pot of bánh đúc.
Karissa ordered a bowl of hot bánh đúc and was immediately astonished when it arrived.
“To be honest, I’ve never tried anything with this texture. It’s similar to mochi - soft and melty yet still chewy,” she remarked.
A serving of hot bánh đúc costs 20,000 VND (around USD 0.80), loaded with pork, mushrooms, and tofu.
According to Karissa, the dish features a smooth, sticky rice cake base served with fried tofu, minced pork, finely chopped wood ear mushrooms, and herbs, all topped with a savory, steaming broth.
“I really love this dish. The toppings truly elevate the flavor,” she added.
She gave it a glowing review - 9 out of 10 - calling it one of the most delicious street foods she had experienced in Hanoi.
Karissa noted that adding a bit of chili powder made the dish even more exciting.
What amazed her even more was the price: just 20,000 VND, or under 1 USD.
Although commonly eaten as a light snack, Karissa found the dish surprisingly filling and satisfying.
She described hot bánh đúc as easy to eat, warm, and perfect for chilly or rainy days.
“Don’t be afraid of narrow, dark alleys - you might just find something unforgettable like this bánh đúc,” she emphasized.
The American YouTuber reacts with delight as she tries the iconic Hanoi street dish.
Speaking to VietNamNet, Pham Thi Noi - the owner of the bánh đúc stall Karissa visited - shared that her shop has been operating for over 30 years.
Her version of the dish is made using a family recipe, with rice flour as the main ingredient.
According to her, only freshly harvested rice is used.
Old rice may have an unpleasant smell and loses the natural aroma when cooked.
Using high-quality rice ensures the bánh is soft, sticky, and flows smoothly, without breaking apart when the broth is added.
In addition to the rice base, the filling of pork and wood ear mushrooms is finely chopped and sautéed until fragrant.
When a customer orders, Mrs. Noi places the steamed rice cake into a bowl, adds the meat filling, a few pieces of crispy fried tofu, and then ladles in the hot, aromatic broth.
Finally, the dish is garnished with fried shallots and chopped cilantro.
The broth is made from pork bones and seasoned with a sweet-and-sour fish sauce, delivering a naturally balanced and rich flavor.
Mrs. Noi’s bánh đúc is made from a family recipe, with a soft, sticky texture and perfectly balanced toppings. Photos: KarissaEats
Mrs. Noi emphasized that while the cooking method isn’t overly complex, it requires attention to detail and effort - especially the stirring stage, which is the most labor-intensive.
Each eatery may season the dish slightly differently or vary ingredients to create a signature twist.
“Today’s version has been slightly modernized with more meat, extra seasoning, and tofu - but we’ve preserved the traditional flavor for decades,” she said.
Her bánh đúc shop is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and each bowl sells for just 20,000 VND.
In addition to bánh đúc, the shop offers other popular dishes like bún ốc chuối đậu (snail and tofu noodle soup), bánh đa trộn (mixed rice noodles), vermicelli, and bún riêu (crab paste noodle soup), catering to a wide range of tastes.
Vietnamnet.vn
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