Coming to Mekong Delta, especially Can Tho, tourists like to go to Cai Rang floating market by boat. From Ninh Kieu ferry wharf, we rented a boat at the dim day and started our journey on the river to learn about the customs and habits of the poetic Hau river inhabitants. It took about 30 minutes to float on the Hau River, we also reached Cai Rang floating market with many boat merchants hiding. Here, I enjoyed breakfast with a bowl of suspicious smoky rice noodles on the boat. I thought that the taste would be like the Saigon noodle soup, but no, completely different, the chewy chewy cheeses were very passionate. Asking the boat driver, it is known that going down the paddling paddle will reach Phong Dien village, where diners can explore the process of making rice noodles to find out why the noodles are so delicious. Another 15 minutes from Cai Rang floating market, crab into a small creek, we reached Phong Dien village.
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Uncle Ba coated bread according to the traditional process
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Having set foot on the shore, in front of us, there are countless delicious dishes with banana delicacies such as banana rice paper, coconut cake, hot tofu ... with peaceful river view. If sitting softly, it would take a day. So, to save time I walk quickly to the noodle oven.
My first impression was two big cake pans and the steaming smoke. The shape of the pot is similar to that of a roll cake but the size is 5-10 times larger. Uncle Ba (the owner of the family's traditional noodles oven) said that this oven is more than 50 years old, passed on by his grandfather. Powder and flour are mixed in a certain proportion along with clean water. Then, use a stirring pad to stir in large plastic containers, settling overnight to start filling the next morning.
The cake coating process must be quick because when the flour is ripe, it is necessary to immediately remove the cake and place it on the bamboo mat, because if the hand is slow, the sticky cake is difficult to remove from the pot and be torn. Wait for the cake to cool down, bring the bamboo to dry for 1-2 sunshine for the cake but not too dry. Then put each of the cakes into a yarn cutting machine to cut them into regular noodles.
Of course, the final stage is still packed and consumed. Usually the oven is packed with 5kg bag, not retail. The purchased noodles can be stored in the refrigerator compartment if not used up.
Of course, I brought a bag of noodles when I returned to Saigon. Not only enjoy the flavor of Can Tho specialties, but also to fully imagine the scenery of the river and the river.
Trâm Phạm (thực hiện)
