Enjoy the simple taste of Banh it la gai Binh Dinh

Banh it la gai Binh Dinh is a simple, rustic specialty that makes many diners linger. The fatty taste of coconut, the rich taste of green beans, the sticky aroma of sticky rice and the spicy taste of ginger create an attractive, unforgettable cake.

When mentioning the specialties of the martial arts land, people will immediately think of Banh It La Gai. Banh It La Gai Binh Dinh is a rustic cake, with a very unique flavor, very rustic like the people here. Traveling to Binh Dinh, you must find and enjoy it to feel the unique flavor of this specialty cake.

1. The origin of the specialty Banh It La Gai of Binh Dinh

Banh it la gai is a traditional cake of Binh Dinh people. On big events or important occasions such as weddings, death anniversaries, festivals... this cake is indispensable in the feasts of the people of the martial arts land. So have you ever been curious about the name and origin of Banh it la gai Binh Dinh?

According to legend, Lang Lieu, the son of the sixth Hung King, won a contest to make Chung cake and Day cake as offerings to heaven and earth. On that occasion, King Hung’s youngest princess, who was a skillful and capable daughter, also showed off her talent to create a new cake.

Ut wanted a cake that was “two in one” – one that had both the flavor of Banh Chung and her brother’s Banh Day. Therefore, she used Banh Day to wrap the filling of Banh Chung. When creating a new cake, she thought again and decided to imitate the shape of Banh Chung and Banh Day to make two different shapes of cakes.

One type of cake is wrapped in leaves and is square in shape, the other type is round and not wrapped in leaves. What is special is that both types of cakes are small and pretty, showing her modesty and status as the youngest in front of her older siblings.

After the contest, in addition to banh chung and banh day, the “two but one” cakes of Princess Ut It were also very popular. Later, those cakes were passed down among the people, and people made them and called them banh ut it. Over time, the cakes were gradually improved in terms of ingredients and shape and became the banh it as it is today.

2. Introduction to Binh Dinh's Banh It La Gai

Banh it la gai not only has a delicious and attractive flavor but also represents the unique traditional culture of the people of the martial arts land.

2.1. The irresistible delicious flavor of Banh It La Gai

Binh Dinh specialty is the delicious and attractive Banh It La Gai. The cake has a rich sweetness of sugar, the soft crust, and the fragrant scent of new sticky rice. The filling has the rich flavor of coconut, the rich flavor of mung beans, and the spicy flavor of ginger. In particular, what makes this cake so attractive is the aroma of the Gai leaves used to make the crust.

2.2. Unique cultural features associated with the image of Banh It La Gai Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh

Not only is it a famous specialty cake, Banh It La Gai is also associated with the culture of the people of the martial arts land. According to Binh Dinh people, the shape of Banh It resembles the Cham tower - the symbol of Quy Nhon Binh Dinh.

In addition, in Binh Dinh, there is a custom that after three days of marriage, the couple will return to their bride’s house. At this time, the girls prepare a banh it cake to worship their ancestors and give to their biological parents. The gift, although small, shows the daughter’s filial piety to her parents when she returns to marry a foreigner.

Even though they were busy with their three wedding days, they still did not forget their parents' kindness. They still took time to make fragrant banh it cakes, waiting for the day the bride returned home to bring them as gifts for her parents.

3. Revealing how to make Binh Dinh gai leaf cake

Making Banh It La Gai is quite elaborate with many different steps. The sticky rice used to make the cake must be new, fragrant and soft, kneaded thoroughly and soaked in water for several hours, then ground. To get the cake's characteristic black color and delicious flavor, people must choose young gai leaves, wash them, boil them, squeeze them dry, then mix them with flour and pound them.

Next is preparing the filling. The filling of Binh Dinh Banh It La Gai includes sugar, green beans, coconut, cinnamon and vanilla powder. The green beans are crushed, soaked and peeled, then boiled. The coconut is shredded, put in a pan and stir-fried with sugar until cooked, then mixed with the green beans.

Continue to stir-fry over low heat until it turns deep golden brown, sticky, and fragrant. After the filling is stir-fried, take a small piece of dough and shape it into a thin round cake in the palm of your hand, place the filling in the middle, and pinch the four sides together tightly.
Then roll it into a ball in the palm of your hand. To prevent the cake from sticking, people dip a little oil on a green banana leaf, then wrap the cake in a pyramid shape and steam it.

4. How many days can Binh Dinh gai leaf cake be kept? How to preserve the cake?

This type of cake is made from fresh ingredients, without preservatives, so the shelf life is only 3-5 days after steaming. In addition, you can also store the cake in the refrigerator, then steam it again, but the cake crust will no longer be soft and smooth.

5. Where to buy quality Binh Dinh gai leaf cake?

Being a famous specialty, you can find Banh It La Gai anywhere in the land of martial arts. However, to ensure quality, you should buy Banh It La Gai as a gift at the addresses below!

5.1. Binh Dinh Phung Nga specialty (Address: 61 Vu Bao, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam)

Phung Nga is a facility specializing in producing famous Binh Binh specialties, including Banh It La Gai. Quality products and affordable prices are the reasons why Phung Nga store is trusted and chosen by many customers. In addition to Banh It La Gai, you can also buy specialties of the land of Nau as gifts such as: dried seafood, Tam Quan pink cakes, Tom Dat spring rolls...

5.2. Man Khoa Store (Address: 55 Vu Bao, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam)

If you are looking for a reputable place to buy Banh It La Gai from Binh Dinh as a gift, Man Khoa store is the ideal choice. Man Khoa provides quality products with clear origins. The shop's Banh It La Gai is supplied from traditional craft villages. In addition, there are many other specialties such as: coconut water rice paper, pink cake, Huyen market spring rolls...

5.3. Binh Dinh Quy Nhon Specialties Mr. Bay (Address: 23 Phan Van Lan, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam)

This is also one of the reputable places to buy Banh It La Gai, chosen by locals and tourists. The plus point of Ong Bay shop is the variety of goods, you can find all kinds of specialties, affordable prices, clear origin.

5.4. Nhu Y Gai Leaf Cake (Address: 156 Nguyen Hue, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam)

When you come to Binh Dinh, ask for the address to buy quality Banh It La Gai, you will be introduced to Nhu Y restaurant by the locals. This is a restaurant specializing in Binh Dinh specialties that has been around for a long time, loved by many locals as well as tourists. Nhu Y provides a variety of products, goods with clear origins, ensuring safety and quality, so you can rest assured when choosing.

6. Experience in buying Binh Dinh gai leaf cake

The price of Binh Dinh gai leaf cake is quite affordable, ranging from 3,000 VND - 4,000 VND/piece.

When buying Banh It La Gai in Binh Dinh as a gift, you need to pay attention to the following issues:
- Choose to buy at reputable stores or manufacturers with brands to ensure quality.
- Before buying, you should check the price first to avoid being ripped off.
- If you buy banh it la gai at the markets, you can bargain with the seller.
- Binh Dinh gai leaf cake has a short shelf life, so when buying, you need to carefully check the production date and expiry date of the cake.

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