 Young rice flakes are a typical gift of Hanoi’s autumn. (Photo: Kim Lieu/ VOV5) |
As intense summer sunshine gives way to the golden glow and cooling breezes of autumn, the subtle fragrance of com begins to spread through the streets of Hanoi. Fragrant young rice flakes wrapped in lotus leaves are made into a variety of delicious treats.
“As a Hanoian, I cherish things that are truly Hanoi. Com brings back so many memories. When I was little, during difficult times my parents would buy a small amount of com to place on the altar, and my siblings and I would eat just a little. Autumn always reminds me of com. I remember cycling with friends to West Lake in the afternoons to buy com and enjoy it together,” said Dang Thuy Ha, a resident of Hang Dieu street.
When autumn arrives, Hang Than street comes alive. During what is their busiest season of the year, local merchants produce a variety of com-based specialties.
“From fresh com we can make com cakes, com mochi, stir-fried com, and sticky rice with com, lotus seeds, and shredded coconut. Square sticky rice com cakes must be made from roasted com to release its flavor when eaten. Every product is handmade by our family,” said Nguyen Van Hung, whose family has been making com cakes for 60 years on Hang Than street.
Cung Thi Thuy, the fourth generation in her family to uphold the traditional craft of making com cakes on Hang Than street, said, “In the past, there was only com cake. Now, there are many dishes made from com to cater to the tastes of newer generations. Stir-fried com wrapped in banana leaves and dipped in fresh coconut milk has become very popular. That captures the essence of autumn.”
 Many dishes are made from young rice flakes. (Photo: Kim Lieu/ VOV5) |
Com and specialties made from com are the favorite of many.
“I often eat com sticky rice. Com already has its own distinct aroma, and when combined with mung beans, lotus seeds, and coconut, it becomes even more enticing and irresistible.”
“I find com mochi slightly rich and sweet. Both the outer layer and the mung bean filling are sweet, and together they create a flavor even sweeter than other com treats. While traditional mochi is usually chewy, mochi com is much softer.”
Com-based products make thoughtful gifts which carry the taste and fragrance of Hanoi to friends far away.
“I often buy com cakes as gifts for my friends. The sweet scent of new rice carries the fragrance of Hanoi within it,” said Tran Bao An of Hanoi.