Banana cake from Bắc Kạn – A rustic gift with the flavor of the mountains of Việt Bắc.

Strange cake that intrigues many tourists

On National Highway 3 passing through Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province, many tourists stopping for the first time are often attracted by signs that read “Banana Cake”. A name that sounds very strange because few people think that banana - especially wild banana - can become an ingredient to make a delicious cake.

However, from that humble ingredient, the Tay ethnic people in Bac Kan have created a cake with a very unique flavor, becoming a familiar specialty for tourists visiting this land.

Flavor associated with the life of the Tay people

Banana cake is a traditional dish of the Tay ethnic group in Cho Moi district. Through many generations, this cake has been preserved as a part of the local culinary life.

Not elaborate or luxurious, banana cake is appealing due to its simplicity, closeness, and entirely natural ingredients. For many local people, this is not just a familiar dish but also a countryside gift associated with childhood memories and family gatherings.

Meticulous processing steps

To make a delicious banana cake, people must choose medium-sized wild bananas and then carefully process them. After peeling and removing the sap, the bananas are boiled until cooked and then mashed by hand until they form a natural sticky dough.

The banana dough is then mixed with glutinous rice flour to create softness and chewiness. The filling is usually made from cooked green beans mixed with sugar, sometimes adding grated coconut to enhance the flavor. The entire cake is wrapped in wild banana leaves and steamed until evenly cooked.

It may sound simple, but to make cakes that are chewy, fragrant, and not dry or mushy requires the maker to have a lot of experience and meticulousness in each step.

Distinct colors and flavors

At first glance, banana cake has a shape quite similar to gai cake with a brown or reddish-brown shell. When peeling off the outer banana leaf, the cake appears soft, chewy, fragrant, and has a very eye-catching color.

The appeal of this cake lies in the characteristic aroma of wild bananas blended with the light sweetness of the green bean filling. The cake is chewy but not sticky, lightly fragrant, refreshing, and does not create a greasy feeling. It is this unique flavor that makes many tourists remember it long after tasting it for the first time.

A countryside gift rich in Bac Kan essence

Currently, banana cakes are sold quite a lot along National Highway 3 through Cho Moi district. Small cake stalls by the roadside have become a familiar stop for tourists on their journey to explore Bac Kan.

With a reasonable price but unique flavor, banana cakes are often chosen by many people as gifts after their trip. Not only is it a dish, but it is also a way for tourists to bring a part of the mountainous flavor of Viet Bac back to their families and friends.

The beauty of cuisine from simple things

Among many highland specialties, Bac Kan banana cake still retains its unique charm thanks to its simplicity and uniqueness in processing.

From an ingredient that seems simple in the mountains, the Tay people have created a cake that bears the cultural imprint of the locality. That is also what makes banana cake not just a rustic dish but also a distinctive part of the culinary exploration journey in Bac Kan.

If you have the chance to stop by Cho Moi or travel on the roads of the Viet Bac region, don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy this special cake to fully experience the simple yet captivating flavor of the mountains and forests of Bac Kan.