What is this Vietnamese Food?

Question

Several years ago, I had a friend of Vietnamese descent. She went back to visit her home country and returned with gifts. I was given a box (possibly yellow) containing several foil-wrapped cubes or rectangles. They were a sort of caked or compressed powder, and somewhat unpleasant to eat. I have since lost touch with my friend, but I would love to be able to track down (or at least identify) this food.

I remember that the first ingredient listed was "grease pig."

Could you say something about the flavour? What did it remind you of? Was it sweet, bitter, salty...? — Mien, Mar 03 '12 at 23:44
It didn't have a distinct or memorable flavor, but I certainly didn't find it tasty. Maybe kind of...meaty? — Adele- Nexus of Potlucks, Mar 04 '12 at 00:15
Definitely sounds like a stock cube to me: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l3c5cjve3d1qzx5fuo1_500.jpg — ElendilTheTall, Mar 04 '12 at 17:07

score 5 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

5

Does it look like this? I have some in my pantry now. (Don't tell anyone.)

By request, the box contents: inside a cellophane sleeve, 4 foil-wrapped cubes. Here's one: Pho cube

Texture is very much like a boullion cube - hard, with a bit of sticky give when pushed. Salty, as expected, but also sweetish with a distinct flavor of caramelized onions and star anise.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

Community

1

answered Mar 04 '12 at 22:38

David

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No. There was no recognizable French or English on the box (aside from the ingredient list). Sorry! – Adele- Nexus of Potlucks Mar 04 '12 at 22:50
If you could post a picture of the *contents* of that box, it might be exactly what the OP was thinking of, just a different brand. – Cascabel Apr 04 '12 at 01:54
@Jefromi: Excellent idea - done. – David Apr 18 '12 at 21:55
That's probably it! Is there an ingredient list? – Adele- Nexus of Potlucks May 19 '12 at 03:27
@AdeleC: salt, sugar, MSG, and spices. – David Jun 27 '12 at 20:13

score 4 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

4

Does it's look like this?

mung bean cake 1 or mung bean cake 2

This cake is made from mung bean powder and it is bright yellow. Once upon a time, it was wrapped in plant leaves, but today, it is factory-produced and wrapped in foil.

The Mung bean cake, or Bánh đậu xanh, tastes very sweet. It is served with tea.

edited Mar 09 '17 at 17:30

Community

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answered May 20 '12 at 09:14

Davuz

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Davuz, welcome to Seasoned advice! I inserted the images you had linked, and used the occasion to rewrite your post with better grammar. We are a collaboratively edited site, and such editing is common here. I hope I could retain your original meaning. If not, you can revert the post to its earlier version, or edit my version further. – rumtscho May 20 '12 at 11:15
@rumtscho Thank you for edited! My English is not good! – Davuz May 20 '12 at 12:29

What is this Vietnamese Food?

2 Answers2