Hanoi’s culinary identity is woven with threads of history, tradition, and sensory memories, and few dishes capture this essence more poignantly than a banh com Hanoi. From wedding trays to everyday teatime indulgence, banh com Hanoi is a bite-sized reminder of the capital’s deep-rooted heritage and delicate tastes.
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Banh com Hanoi – Traditional cake of the capital
Unlike the centuries-old fresh com (Vietnamese green rice), banh com Hanoi (Vietnamese green sticky rice cake in English) only made its debut in the second half of the 19th century. According to legend, it was the Nguyen Duy family ancestors from Hang Than Street who crafted the first version in 1865, drawing inspiration from the traditional banh chung and giving birth to a new specialty that soon became beloved by generations of Hanoians.
At the heart of a banh com lies premium com, roasted mung beans, shredded coconut, and white sugar. The result is a chewy, emerald-hued sweet with a mellow fragrance — an intricate balance between rustic charm and urban finesse.
What sets banh com Hanoi apart is its evocative taste. A single bite reveals a layer of soft green rice cake that yields gently under your teeth, releasing the richness of mung bean paste and the delicate perfume of lotus seed jam. On your Hanoi journey, do not miss enjoying banh com with a warm cup of tea. It will make you feel like stepping back in time.
The origins of banh com Hanoi
The making of banh com starts not in the kitchen, but in the rice fields. The best banh com uses freshly harvested immature rice, still milky and green. This type of sticky rice is a prized product of northern Vietnam and a staple of Hanoi’s culinary pride.
In days gone by, street vendors balanced bamboo poles with woven baskets of green com wrapped in lotus leaves, a sight so quintessential that it lives on in poetry, songs, and the nostalgic memory of Hanoi’s autumn. To diversify this seasonal product and extend its shelf life, inventive artisans created banh com Hanoi, preserving the flavor while adding new depth and complexity.
Beyond its taste, banh com Hanoi holds cultural significance. It is a staple offering in traditional weddings. Its signature green exterior, packed into red boxes, symbolizes harmony and prosperity — a heartfelt wish for the couple’s lifelong happiness. This symbolism has kept this Vietnamese green rice cake relevant through generations, turning it into more than a snack. It is a shared token of goodwill and tradition.
Where to find the most authentic banh com?
Hang Than Street – The birthplace of this delicacy
Today, over 50 family-run shops line Hang Than Street, each representing generations of dedication to crafting banh com by hand. For the residents here, making this iconic sweet is not just a business — it’s a heartfelt tradition that preserves the essence of Hanoi’s culinary heritage. The green-hued treat, once a humble offering, has become a nostalgic symbol for many Hanoians, evoking memories of childhood and festive moments.
In recognition of its cultural significance, the Hanoi People’s Committee officially listed the banh com craft of Hang Than Street as an intangible cultural heritage.
In 2024, the neighborhood proudly received the title of “Traditional Craft of Hanoi” for its continued excellence in preserving the art of making banh com Hanoi through the years.
Com Lang Vong – The signature flavor of Hanoi’s green rice
When autumn arrives in Hanoi, it brings with it a wave of golden sunlight, cool breezes, and the unmistakable aroma of “cốm Làng Vòng”. Originating from the Vòng Village (now located in Cau Giay, Hanoi), this seasonal treat is synonymous with Hanoi’s culinary heritage.
Crafted from young sticky rice grains harvested just as they begin to form, com Lang Vong is toasted and pounded into flat flakes. Its vibrant green hue, chewy texture, and subtle aroma make it a seasonal favorite.
The origin of cốm from Vòng Village is steeped in folklore. It is said to have been born during a devastating flood, when villagers, fearing the loss of their rice crop, harvested the unripe grains early and attempted to preserve them by roasting. Against all odds, they discovered an unexpected treasure: a chewy, fragrant rice with a hint of natural milkiness — unlike anything they had tasted before.
From that moment on, through trial, craftsmanship, and generational wisdom, green rice from Vong Village evolved into a cherished delicacy. Its signature green hue and unmistakable aroma have come to symbolize Hanoi’s gentle charm, both nostalgic and enduring.
Today, this culinary gift lives on in various forms — most notably as an essential ingredient in high-quality banh com.
For an authentic experience, visit Banh Com Ba Hoan, a family business recognized by Hanoi’s People’s Committee as a top heritage food brand. The banh com Hanoi shop’s recipe stays true to the original, using only fresh green rice from Vong Village with no preservatives or artificial coloring.
Address: 36, Alley 63, Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi
How banh com becomes a contemporary take at Chapter Dining
At Chapter Dining, banh com Hanoi finds new life in our open kitchen, reimagined with subtlety and respect for its roots. This beloved treat appears in our Sunshine tasting menu as part of a Chapter petit fours trio, served alongside bánh gạo and bánh gai.
Each small banh com Hanoi at Chapter is made with freshly harvested green rice, lovingly crafted into a delicate bite that encapsulates the spirit of the capital. It may be small in size, but the flavors run deep — a tribute to an ingredient that has shaped the city’s palate for centuries.
If you’re looking to explore the heart of Hanoi through food, we invite you to try our Sunshine menu, where banh com is both memory and modernity, wrapped in one elegant bite.
Banh com Hanoi is more than a sweet treat; it’s a piece of the capital’s soul. From the misty mornings of Lang Vong to the heritage store on Hang Than street, and now to the tasting menus at Chapter Dining, this green-hued dessert continues to connect generations. Whether you’re savoring it with tea, gifting it at weddings, or experiencing it in a new light through fine dining, banh com Hanoi remains a symbol of the city’s enduring charm — sweet, sincere, and unforgettable.
