Floating Glutinous Rice Dumplings (Bánh trôi)

Bánh trôi is the name of a traditional Vietnamese dessert which consists of delicious tiny balls of glutinous rice wrapped around a sweet filling. The sticky and elastic dough for bánh trôi is made with a mixture of plain and glutinous rice flour that's merely bound with water.

The dough is wrapped around a piece of dark palm sugar, rolled into a ball, and cooked until the balls float up to the surface. This authentic Vietnamese dessert is usually associated with northern Vietnam, especially the region of Hanoi. It is served freshly prepared, and roasted sesame seeds or grated coconut are sprinkled on top of each piece.

They mainly come in plain white color, but different food colorings can be added to the basic dough in order to create a more decorative treat. Similar rice sweets are found in numerous Asian countries, and it is believed that bánh trôi has origins in the Chinese culture.

In the past, it was associated with Chinese Cold Food Festival, a festivity celebrated in March when the whole family gathers to pay respects to their ancestors. Today, a plate of freshly prepared bánh trôi is not only served on special occasions but represents a satisfying everyday sweet treat.