The Specialty of White Rose Dumplings in Hội An

History and Origin

Historically, Hội An was once a bustling international trading port with merchants from various cultures, gradually forming a unique urban lifestyle with distinct customs compared to other regions in the country.

From a culinary perspective, it can be seen that this place has absorbed and innovated many delicious dishes from other countries, increasingly diversifying the types of processing and enjoying food, from simple to sophisticated and luxurious.

Among the dishes classified as luxurious in old Hội An, White Rose dumplings (bánh bao bánh vạc) stand out, originating from Chinese dumplings, created by Chinese immigrants in Hội An and passing down the secret recipe through generations.

The Development of White Rose Dumplings

To this day, this dish remains in the luxurious and expensive category. Even though modern times offer an abundance of delicacies, and meat and sausages often appear in daily meals, the sophistication in making each White Rose dumpling has added to its allure and elegance.

Initially, these dumplings were made for family enjoyment to ease the homesickness of some Chinese families, and later, some families sold them along the streets of the Old Quarter.

The First Dumpling Seller and Selling Method

The person who first sold these dumplings was Mrs. Trịnh Thị Huệ, the mother of the current owner of a White Rose dumpling shop in Hội An. She carried a thick basket, placing a steaming tray of dumplings on it, walking along Lê Lợi, Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học, and Bạch Đằng streets. She didn't need to shout, as the Old Quarter residents were familiar with her basket and roughly knew the time she would pass by.

Many customers from as far as Đà Nẵng loved her dumplings so much that they traveled to Hội An just to buy them. They often bought a lot, finishing the entire tray she brought, making the long trip worthwhile.

The basket included an aluminum steaming tray lined with banana leaves, with dumplings laid on top and covered with many layers of banana leaves to keep the dumplings warm and soft. On top were plates and spoons to serve the dumplings. Next to the basket was a bottle of sweet and sour fish sauce for dipping the dumplings.

How to Enjoy White Rose Dumplings

White Rose dumplings are served on a plate, sprinkled with crispy fried shallots. Guests pick up each delicate dumpling and dip it into the mixed fish sauce. The small, cute dumplings are just the right size for one bite; diners are led by a tempting journey from visual appeal to the ultimate pleasure as they gradually taste the sweet, fragrant, rich filling blending with the soft, chewy dumpling wrapper. This dish is best enjoyed warm, with the chewy yet soft wrapper mingling with the fragrant filling of shrimp and pork and crispy fried shallots. Simple as it is, one taste is unforgettable.

Presence in Restaurant Menus

Currently, in Hội An, there are a few Chinese families making White Rose dumplings to supply the local market. In Hội An, almost all restaurant menus featuring local specialties include White Rose dumplings, sourced from the family of Mr. Tuấn Ngãi, at the ancient house of Quân Thắng.

The Name "White Rose" and Its Unique Story

The dumpling also has a poetic name derived from its shape: “White Rose” (bông hồng trắng). Interestingly, since adopting this new name, the dumplings seem to have gained more recognition, possibly because everyone loves beauty and uniqueness, and these dumplings can only be found in Hội An. The name “White Rose” gives the dumplings a romantic Western touch in the era of expanding tourism and service economy in Hội An, like a soft cultural imprint in the historical flow of the land.

A Fun Story About the Name "White Rose"

Here's a fun story: In the early 1990s, when Mrs. Huệ still sold dumplings along the streets of the Old Quarter and hadn't yet opened a shop at home, she sold some to a familiar household on Bạch Đằng Street, who ran a café. A friendly Westerner was there, and the owner invited him to try the White Rose dumplings and some other Hội An cakes to introduce him to local flavors.

The next day, the Westerner returned to the café and asked the owner to buy him a type of dumpling he had been served the day before. However, he forgot its "official name," feeling quite embarrassed as he had tried several different cakes and couldn’t remember each one’s name. Spontaneously, he called out the name that had left a deep impression in his mind: “white rose” - bánh bông hồng trắng.

Since then, foreign visitors have passed on the poetic name “white rose cake,” recommending it to each other to enjoy when visiting Hội An. From that moment, the White Rose dumplings of Hội An became much more famous, becoming one of the attractive, unique culinary delights of Vietnam and the world. Hội An people also share this story with joy, feeling cherished and recognizing the growing value of these small dumplings along with their hometown's culinary culture.

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