The Leaf-Wrapped Cake That Preserves the Soul of Co Te Village

06/09/2026
Nestled in the countryside embraced by the Buoi River, Co Te Village, now part of Village 2 in Thach Binh Commune, continues to preserve a rustic local delicacy that has been passed down through generations. Fragrant with rice, shallots, pork and dong leaves, the bánh lá răng bừa is not only a familiar treat during festivals and Tet celebrations, but also provides a source of income for many local families.

 

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếAccording to local legend, Princess Mai Hoa once taught the people here how to grow rice and make products from rice grains. From traditional village markets, many rustic treats were created, including bánh lá răng bừa. Local residents say that during the feudal period, the secrets of making the cakes were traditionally passed down to daughters-in-law rather than daughters. It was only after 1945 that the craft gradually became more widely shared within the community.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếThe rice used to make the cakes is typically Si rice, a high-quality variety selected by local residents and grown in fields with suitable soil conditions. As a result, the finished cakes are soft, chewy and tender, creating a distinctive texture when enjoyed.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếThe dong leaves used for wrapping must be neither too young nor too mature. The leaves are thoroughly washed and drained before being used.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếThe filling is made from familiar ingredients such as quality pork, shallots and wood ear mushrooms. All the ingredients are finely chopped and stir-fried until fragrant to create a rich and savory filling.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếSkilled makers carefully place the dough, add the filling to the center, then roll it up into slender, evenly shaped cakes.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếTo prevent the cakes from breaking or absorbing water during boiling, the makers need their own technique. Each cake must be wrapped tightly and evenly, while retaining its attractive shape after cooking.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếThe cakes are then arranged in a pot and boiled over a traditional wood-burning stove.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếAs the cakes cook, the dong leaves change color, while the aroma of rice mingles with the fragrance of the leaves, pork and shallots.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếOnce removed from the pot while still steaming hot, the cakes are soft, chewy, fragrant and full of flavor. The rich filling blends with the aroma of rice and dong leaves, creating a rustic yet unforgettable taste.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếSteaming hot and fragrant with scallion oil and dong leaves, the cakes often appear on family reunion meals and during festivals and Tet celebrations. They are more than just food—they evoke memories of rural markets, wood-fired kitchens, and the hardworking hands of grandmothers and mothers patiently wrapping cakes.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ TếIn recent years, as more people have come to know about and seek out Co Te leaf-wrapped cakes, making them has gradually become a regular occupation for some local households.

Chiếc bánh lá giữ hồn làng Cổ Tế

From a small kitchen to the Tet feast, from a rustic local treat to a source of livelihood, Co Te leaf-wrapped cakes quietly preserve a part of the village’s soul. And with each generation, these simple, slender cakes continue to tell the story of a rural community where tradition is preserved not through grand gestures, but through familiar things made day after day.

Source: vhds.baothanhhoa.vn

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