This type of rolls is originated in Hà Nội, and is often consumed during summer. The so-called rice-wine lees or vinegar here is a vinegar-like paste or liquid which is a residue or by-product from rice wine making process. In Vietnamese, it’s known as giấm bỗng, dấm bỗng (misspelled), or bỗng rượu. This rice wine lees have a sour taste, and a wine flavor with low alcohol content, so it is easy to dispel the fishy smell of some types of fish or aquatic food. There are basically two forms: whole-grain paste (bỗng rượu), or vinegar-like liquid (giấm bỗng). Rice wine lees paste are cooked with sugar-cane syrup or molasses, creating a unique paste.
This Hanoi lettuce recipe calls for curly lettuce as the wrapping ingredient of the rolls, though other lettuces or mustard greens might also do. The “filling” of those lettuce rolls are soft rice noodle, pork belly, but rolls are often tied with shrimps using a strands of scallion. The best type of noodle is a Vietnamese noodle called bún răng bừa (harrow-shaped noodle), which is soft and straight.
The dipping sauce is a diluted fish sauce with minced garlic, chili and it also calls for the essence of giant water bugs which is very fragrant.
Pan-roast the shrimps with some salt. Set aside. Boil the pork belly with some ginger slices, take an ice bath and slice into strips.
In a saucepan, add rice wine lees, sugarcane molasses or syrup and stir for about 5 -7 mins.
Mix a dipping sauce with 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 tablespoon fish sauce + 2 tablespoons water + 1/3 tablespoon minced garlic and minced chili + 1/2 tablespoon lime juice.
Spread a lettuce leaf, place 1 pork belly piece, 1 scoop of rice wine lees, 1 shrimp, and herbs if any. Roll and tie with a poached scallion strand. If the leaf is too small, save the shrimp for an outer garnishing.
The Japanese Sake kasu (酒粕) or sake lee is a close substitute for Vietnamese rice wine lees.
The Hanoi version normally does not call for Vietnamese sausages and omelette as in the featured image, but the Hải Phòng version may.
Some central Vietnamese versions used beef instead.
Pork belly can be roasted, instead of poached.
Vietnamese cuisine is the method of cooking, the principle of mixing spices and the general dining habits of all Vietnamese people in Vietnam. With a unique geography, climate, and cultural exchange, the cuisine of Vietnam is extremely diverse and rich. The characteristics of Vietnamese cuisine is the focus on the freshness, so Vietnamese dishes are generally perceived as delicious and healthy.
