Vietnamese Med Kway Jee

Vietnamese Med Kway Jee, a snack you must try when visiting the land of the Red Dragon

When it comes to Vietnamese food, many people probably think of the famous “Pho” or “Banh Hoi.” But for me, mr.hotsia, during my latest trip to northern Vietnam, I discovered a special snack calledMed Kway Jeewhich, although not widely known, has a deep flavor and is full of the charm of authentic Vietnamese culinary culture.

Med Kway Jee (also called “Banh Kway Jee” in some localities) is a snack made from a mixture of rice flour and glutinous rice with various fillings such as mashed mung beans, minced pork, or dried shrimp. It is steamed into small, round, bite-sized pieces and eaten with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made from tamarind juice, palm sugar, and fresh chili. All of these are specialties I tasted at a local market where I stayed in Lang Son Province (Lang Son Province, Vietnam)

Life and Market Atmosphere in Lang Son with Med Kway Jee

Lang Son is a city I visited in May. The weather was starting to get hot and humid with occasional light rain. While strolling through the central market, I caught the aroma of local food carried by the breeze. I stayed at Hoang Son Hotel, a mid-range hotel costing only 600 baht per night, close to the market where it was easy to find food.

The Med Kway Jee I tasted was sold at a small stall by a local vendor. Here, you will see genuine Vietnamese people buying it as a snack in the morning and afternoon. Some buy to take home, others eat it hot right in front of the shop. I asked the vendor and learned that Med Kway Jee is popular in several northern provinces of Vietnam, with each area having slightly different recipes and preparation methods.

The Memorable Taste and Profound Simplicity

The first bite of Med Kway Jee revealed the softness of the dough combined perfectly with the sweet and savory filling. The dipping sauce enhanced the flavor with its rich taste and refreshing notes from chili and tamarind. It’s a light snack but left a strong impression on me.

If you have followed mr.hotsia to various markets, whether the morning market in Mukdahan (Mukdahan Morning Market) or wandering through cities in Vietnam, you will see that this kind of food reflects the simple lifestyle of locals, full of flavor and care in every cooking step.

Med Kway Jee and Traveling in Northern Vietnam

Although I did not specify a particular province for Med Kway Jee, I recommend trying to visit Lang Son Province, where I stayed and tasted Med Kway Jee myself. This province is known for its high mountains and is ideal for hiking and nature exploration. Besides Med Kway Jee, you can also enjoy roasted duck, a local specialty of this province.

Traveling in northern Vietnam may seem complicated for new tourists, but if you experience it like me, mr.hotsia, you will understand the charm of each city and its unique local food. I once used bus services to Vinh Long bus station (Vinh Long Bus Station) to continue to other cities, which was very convenient and offered many local food markets to choose from.

Additional Tips for Foodie Travelers

For those who love Vietnamese food and want to experience authentic Med Kway Jee, I recommend visiting markets in the early morning or late afternoon. Besides enjoying the old-town atmosphere, you can talk to vendors and learn how to make the food yourself. Trying such dishes also opens your experience and understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture deeply.

If you travel to southern Vietnam, don’t forget to visit Nha Trang sea beach (Nha Trang Sea Beach) and the Buddhist temples in Da Lat city (Buddhist Temples in Da Lat City), which are other important destinations I, mr.hotsia, have visited, and where delicious Vietnamese food awaits your discovery.

Summary

Vietnamese Med Kway Jee is a snack I, mr.hotsia, highly recommend everyone to try when you have the chance to visit Vietnam, especially if you get to experience Lang Son Province, where local food still preserves its traditional and authentic deliciousness very well. Med Kway Jee is not just food but a story of Vietnamese culture and lifestyle that I want you to experience yourself.

For those interested in watching a full eating show clip of Vietnamese Med Kway Jee, you can watch it atRight hereI guarantee you will see how delicious it looks and the way to eat it that I, mr.hotsia, must say is extremely worth trying!