Xoi - Sticky Rice

Xoi is one among other breakfast dishes for Vietnamese people.

Overview

Xoi is one among other breakfast dishes for Vietnamese people. Xoi is mainly made from glutinous rice with various add-ons like beans, peanuts and coconuts. Xoi is popular for it is cheap, convenient, delicious and extremely filling. A pack of Xoi from a street vendor costs you 5,000 VND (25 cents) to 10,000 VND (50 cents). In upper scale food courts, it may cost you more but it should not exceed $1.5 per pack.

Photo: theworldtastesgood.blogspot.com

Xoi is a portable and easy–to–eat dish. When you are late for work, you can stop by a Xoi vendor along the street, buy a pack, put it in your bag and you can finish it 5 minutes after arriving at your workplace. Xoi, sometimes, can be eaten as a snack between meals or as a kind of junk food to save hunger. Due to its popularity, Saigonese now can eat Xoi not only in the morning but all day through also. If you are bored with all noodles soup (Pho, Hu Tiu, Mi,etc), rice (Com Tam, Chao), Xoi is an economical change for new taste.

In Ho Chi Minh City:

Xoi Bui Thi Xuan, locating at 111 Bui Thi Xuan, District 1 is a familiar destination for savory Xoi lovers. It is recommended to try Xoi Thap Cam (Mixed Xoi) or Xoi Ga (Xoi with Chicken). It is so delicious that its flavor recalls your taste whenever you think about it later. The price varies from VND 15,000-30,000 ($1-1.5$).

If you love sweet Xoi, you can easily find it when hanging out with your friends around Ben Thanh Market. Street vendors sell sweet Xoi from early evening until midnight. The price is cheaper, at most 50 cents per pack.

A little far away from the city center are Xoi La Chuoi take-away franchises. They offer both sweet and savory Xoi. Friendly, helpful and active staffs make customers comfortable when coming here. Xoi La Chuoi can be found at 488 Ba Thang Hai Street, District 10, 306B Truong Chinh Street, Tan Binh District.

In Hanoi:

Try Xoi Yen at 35b Nguyen Huu Huan for the best Xoi xeo in Hanoi and probably Vietnam. If you are tempted for some Vietnamese-French fusion, head to Cam Chi - Cua Nam where the street Xoi Pate is located. Otherwise, just step down to any wet market and you will be greeted by numerous Xoi vendors wrapping the fragrant sticky rice in banana leaves.