Bánh Đúc Lạc Recipe

Bánh đúc lạc (Vietnamese Northern plain rice cake) is a traditional dish from the Northern region of the country. This dish is made from rice flour mixed with clear limewater and then enhanced with crunchy boiled peanuts.

As the cake is fairly plant in taste, Vietnamese love to dip it in a rich soybean paste. The cake can be enjoyed as a hearty dish or snack.

In case you want to make Northern plain rice cake yourself, I’ll show you the guidance to make it, from the tools and ingredients to making steps. There are some great tips for you in preparing the rice cake.

Let’s start the reading with the general information of Northern plain rice cake.

Uncovering the Essence of Bánh Đúc Lạc

Bánh đúc lạc is a traditional Vietnamese dish characterized by its simplicity and subtle flavors.

It is a soft, non-sweet cake made primarily from rice flour, limewater, and peanuts. This mixture is cooked until it forms a smooth and thick consistency.

These peanuts enrich the dish with a distinct richness and a contrasting crunch to the soft, jelly-like texture of the rice cake.

Traditionally, bánh đúc lạc is served as a cool dish and normally paired with savory sauce, particularly a fermented soybean sauce, which adds an umami flavor to the otherwise mild rice cake.

Originating in Hanoi around the 1960s, bánh đúc lạc was a popular snack sold by vendors near collective housing.

Today, you can easily find this rice cake at various spots throughout Hanoi, including street food stalls and well-known markets like Dong Xuan Market, as well as along Hang Be Street.

FYI, there is another style of Northern rice cake. This version is a savory, white-colored dish with a soft and gooey texture. It’s served hot with toppings like ground pork, wood-ear mushrooms, green onions, and fried shallots and accompanied by a fish sauce.

What Are Tools To Make Bánh Đúc Lạc?

To make bánh đúc lạc, there are 8 main tools to prepare:

What Are the Ingredients for Bánh Đúc Lạc?

To make this Northern plain rice cake of Vietnam, you will need simple ingredients as below:

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bánh Đúc Lạc

Here are the 5 main steps to create this Northern Vietnamese rice cake:

Step 1: Prepare Limewater

Mix 8.45 cups of water with slaked lime powder and wait for the powder to settle. You’ll use clear limewater for this cake.

Step 2: Cook the Peanuts

Soak 3.53 ounces of peanuts in water for 5 hours or overnight, then rinse them clean.

Boil the peanuts in water for about 20 minutes until cooked, then drain and set aside.

Step 3: Mix and Cook the Rice Batter

Combine 11.88 cups of rice flour with 5 cups of prepared limewater, stirring well. Cook on medium heat, constantly stirring. As the mixture thickens, reduce the heat and continue stirring until the batter becomes elastic.

Then, add the boiled peanuts and stir until the batter is fully cooked.

Step 4: Shape the Cake

Pour the mixture into a mold, spreading it evenly.

Allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the mold and cutting it into edible pieces.

Step 5: Prepare the Dipping Sauce and Serve

Combine in a bowl:

Stir until well combined. Serve the slices for easy dipping in the sauce.

The completed bánh đúc lạc is soft and chewy, blending perfectly with the nutty flavor of peanuts and the unique taste of the dipping sauce, creating a delicious and attractive dish.

What Are Tricks to Elevate Your Bánh Đúc Lạc?

Below are some ideal tricks to upgrade your bánh đúc lạc or make it simpler for you.

Enjoy The Simple Yet Special Northern Plain Rice Cake

Northern plain rice cake doesn’t require any fancy components or complex preparation methods. Still, it’s a satisfying and fulfilling treat for Vietnamese, especially Northern people.

Share this guide with friends and family who appreciate the art of simple cooking, and don’t hesitate to comment with your own experiences of Vietnamese dishes or other rice cake recipes.