In Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam, one dish that remains a staple is bánh hỏi lòng heo -- made from soft, thin vermicelli noodle sheets served with boiled pork offal.

Visitors to the province’s capital city of Quy Nhon, especially those who check out the bustling Phu Tai intersection area, can easily find dozens of eateries packed with locals and tourists chowing down on the region’s renowned delicacy.

The meticulous art of making bánh hỏi

Bánh hỏi is made from rice flour carefully crafted into delicate, thread-like strands that are soft, smooth, and as white as silk. 

These strands are then formed into flat sheets and steamed to perfection before being topped with finely chopped garlic chives.

The process of making bánh hỏi is meticulous, starting with premium rice being washed, soaked overnight, finely ground, steamed, and kneaded into a smooth, elastic dough. 

Once the dough reaches the ideal consistency, it is pressed through a mold to form uniformly thin strands. 

After being shaped into sheets, the noodles are steamed for a second time so that they maintain their softness. They are then arranged on banana leaves atop a bamboo tray. 

The gentle aroma of fresh banana leaves blends with the warm, tender bánh hỏi, making them irresistible.

A perfect match: Bánh hỏi and pork offal

Bánh hỏi is best served with hot boiled pork offal, which perfectly pairs with the soft, chive-topped noodle sheets, lightly brushed with fragrant coconut oil.

The dish is typically served with a bowl of garlic and chili fish sauce, alongside fresh herbs, and it is accompanied by a steaming bowl of porridge, making for a full breakfast.

More than just a morning meal, bánh hỏi with pork offal is an essential dish for weddings, ancestral ceremonies, festivals, and Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) celebrations.

For the people of Binh Dinh, this dish is more than a delicacy; it is a cultural symbol and a cherished memory of childhood, something that those who leave home always long for.

While its classic pairing is with pork offal, bánh hỏi in Binh Dinh can also complements many other dishes, such as grilled pork, eggrolls, grilled shrimp skewer, grilled chicken, and crispy roasted pork. 

Each variation offers a unique twist while still managing to preserve the essence of traditional bánh hỏi.

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