Banh Hong From Binh Dinh - A Rustic Specialty Sought After By Food Enthusiasts

Banh Hong from Binh Dinh is often seen at weddings. This simple yet appealing cake attracts diners with its chewy aroma of sticky rice, a mild sweetness, and the crunchy texture of coconut. Hãy nghe Trần Thuỳ Thanh Xuân (Đồng Nai) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

When traveling to Binh Dinh, in addition to banh it la gai or coconut rice paper, don't miss the chance to enjoy banh hong Binh Dinh. This rustic cake, which slightly resembles "che lam", has a unique and special flavor. 

1. What is Banh Hong Binh Dinh?

For a long time, Banh Hong from Quy Nhon has been known as a rustic cake full of hometown sentiment. Banh Hong is a traditional cake and is considered a famous specialty of Binh Dinh. The ingredients for this cake are quite simple, consisting only of sticky rice, granulated sugar, and coconut. However, thanks to the skillful hands and meticulous cake-making process of the locals in the land of martial arts, Banh Hong offers a unique flavor that makes many people "fall in love" from the very first taste.

                                                                                                   Image source: Collected

Currently, there are many regions in Binh Dinh that produce Banh Hong. However, Tam Quan town is where the most delicious and attractive Banh Hong is made. According to locals, the cake here is made from the famous, fragrant, and sticky Ngu glutinous rice.

2. Origin and meaning of the name "Banh Hong Quy Nhon"

Many people mistakenly believe that the name "Banh Hong" comes from the characteristic pink color of the cake. However, this is not the case. The people of Binh Dinh have creatively added pink, green pandan leaf, gac fruit, and other colors to make the cake more visually appealing.

                                                                                                   Image source: Collected

Additionally, there are opinions that the name 'Banh Hong Binh Dinh' originates from the fact that this cake often appears at engagement and wedding ceremonies. The cake, along with the pink invitation card, symbolizes the announcement of joyful news. That's why the people of Binh Dinh often say that if someone wishes "Som cho ba con an banh hong", it means they are hoping for that young man or woman to soon get married.

3. What does the specialty pink cake of Binh Dinh taste like?

When traveling to Quy Nhon, you must definitely find and enjoy the specialty pink cake. The cake is not too sweet, take a bite and you will feel the softness and characteristic aroma of sticky rice. Along with that is the sweet taste of sugar, mixed with the crispy, fatty fresh coconut filling that stimulates the taste buds.

However, if left in the air for a long time, the pink cake will gradually harden, losing its original softness. In addition, because it has fresh coconut filling, the shelf life of Binh Dinh pink cake is only 5 days at most.

                                                                                                   Image source: Collected

4. What color filling does Binh Dinh pink cake have?

What is the filling of Banh Hong Binh Dinh? Or what color is the filling of Banh Hong? These are common questions among tourists. Although it is called Banh Hong (Pink Cake), both the outer shell and the filling inside the cake are white. The cake is large, about 2-3cm thick, and when sliced, it reveals a milky white interior, dotted with small air pockets.

What color is Banh Hong Binh Dinh? Today, Banh Hong has been creatively made in various colors. Besides the pure white of the flour, the baker can add different colors, such as the natural pink from gac fruit or beetroot, and the green from pandan leaves. These colors are both safe and visually appealing. However, the color blending must be meticulous and skillful to ensure that the color is vibrant while the aroma of gac, beetroot, or pandan leaves does not overpower the characteristic scent of sticky rice flour.

5. How long can Binh Dinh pink cake be preserved?

Banh Hong can only be preserved and consumed within about 5 days after it is made. If kept past this time, the cake will develop a fermented smell, become hard, and lose its original chewy and fragrant texture. If you want to keep it for longer, you can store Banh Hong Binh Dinh in the refrigerator. When you want to eat it, simply take it out and steam it again to make it warm and chewy.

                                                                                                   Image source: Collected

Banh Hong Binh Dinh is a simple, rustic cake that is loved by many. Today, Banh Hong not only appears at weddings and engagements but has also become common in everyday life. With its unique flavor, Banh Hong has become a famous specialty that anyone visiting Binh Dinh wishes to try and bring home as a gift for family and friends.

Trần Thuỳ Thanh Xuân (Đồng Nai)