Brandon Hurley, 38, better known as “Phuc Map,” is an American content creator with a YouTube channel dedicated to Vietnamese food, travel, and everyday life. His channel has attracted nearly 540,000 subscribers.

In a previous interview with VietNamNet, Phuc Map shared that cuisine was one of the main reasons he fell in love with Vietnam. Over the past decade, he has traveled across the country, sampling everything from everyday meals to exotic delicacies like coconut worms, crickets, durian, fermented shrimp paste, and balut.

Most recently, Phuc Map released a video featuring three long-standing eateries in Ho Chi Minh City. The places he highlighted include grilled sticky rice bananas on Vo Van Tan Street, Hai Nam steamed rice rolls on Cao Thang Street, and Cao Van pho on Mac Dinh Chi Street.

Among them, the grilled sticky rice banana stole his heart. In his opinion, it ranks among the top desserts in Vietnam. The stall, which has been around for nearly 30 years, maintains a consistent and authentic flavor.

“Tour guides are absolutely right to bring visitors here-it’s incredibly delicious,” he said.

In March 2023, this dessert was featured on CNN’s Culinary Journeys, a monthly program on CNN International that explores global cuisines. “This is a must-try when visiting Vietnam,” the U.S. network declared.

The stall Phuc Map showcased is located at the entrance of alley 378 Vo Van Tan Street in Ho Chi Minh City. It's well-known among locals and tourists alike, often drawing long lines during peak hours.

The bananas used are either chuoi su or chuoi xim-local varieties known for their sweet and creamy texture. Only ripe bananas are selected for optimal flavor. The sticky rice is mixed with shredded coconut before being cooked into a glutinous mixture. The warm, fragrant rice is then carefully wrapped around each banana.

Next, the entire banana-rice bundle is wrapped in a layer of banana leaf. This outer leaf helps prevent burning and makes it easier for the grillers to judge doneness.

The stall uses mangrove charcoal, which provides an even flame with minimal smoke. Once the banana leaf chars slightly and the outer sticky rice crust turns golden and crispy, the dessert is ready.

The dish is served with a generous drizzle of coconut cream and a sprinkling of roasted peanuts. The caramelized sweetness of the banana, the chewy texture of the sticky rice, the richness of the coconut cream, and the nutty crunch of the peanuts create a deceptively simple yet captivating flavor profile.

“I love coconut cream and add it to many dishes. The coconut cream here is truly flavorful and aromatic. A stall that has been around for over 20 years must have perfected its recipe by now,” Phuc Map commented.

Currently, the eatery has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Google, based on over 460 user reviews. However, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the staff's attitude, noting a lack of friendliness.

Linh Trang