Ninh Giang thorn leaf cake

The craft of making “bánh gai” (thorn leaf cake) has existed for over 700 years. Initially, the cakes were round like lime fruits and did not have leaf wrappers. In the past, “bánh gai” was very rare and only used during Tet (Lunar New Year) or ancestral memorial ceremonies. On regular days, neighbors who had gone to the district would bring back the cake as a gift. If a household had 5 or 6 members, the cake would be cut into the same number of small pieces, with each person enjoying a small piece, savoring the sweet and rich flavor of the cake.