From the terraced fields winding around the Northwest hills to the vast, expansive plains where storks glide in the Southwest, the rice grains born here have been intertwined with the lives of the Vietnamese people for generations. These rice grains carry the essence of the land and sky into pots of steaming rice, into dishes of braised fish, and into the square banh chung and cylindrical banh tet adorning Tet feasts. They embark on numerous other journeys, transforming into unique gifts in every corner.

Heading to Central Vietnam, in the province of Quang Ngai, exists a type of sticky, golden, sweet yet refreshing delicacy made from the essence of rice – it’s called “mạch nha.” The name of this dish originates from its key ingredient (mạch nha signifies rice essence). Alongside various other flavors, mạch nha adds a hint of sweetness to the yearnings of those far from their homeland.

This is my work for Saigoneer. Please click here to read Vietnamese article.