The image of an old man with gray hair and beard, carrying a load of goods around the small town of Hoi An, and the familiar cry of “solstice that cover…” echoes from the early morning. It has long gone into the indelible memories of Hoi street people. Xi ma phu   originated from the Cantonese language, black sesame tea originated from the Chinese who lived for a long time in the “land of the inner” of the seventeenth century. The place Hoi An will tell you the 70-year-old career story of Mr. Ngo Thieu – our “legendary old man”.

Xi but Phu – the journey of more than half a century of Mr. Ngo Thieu

This unique recipe for black tea, Ngo Thieu, was an apprentice from a Chinese family who settled in Hoi An in the early 20th century, it can be said that at that time only he knew how to cook this dish. standard. This is not only a childhood snack of Hoi street children but also a precious medicine to cure dysentery, laxative, and surrogate. I don’t know since when  xí but phu has become an indispensable spiritual dish of indigenous people, a must-have in every meal.

His burden has come a long way for nearly 70 years, when he was 101 years old, he handed it over to his wife and second child to continue “keeping the fire” of the family’s long-standing traditional dish. The special dish is not only in taste but also in traditional Chinese medicine ingredients bought by Ngo Thieu himself to cook together, this is the heirloom secret he never told you.

His house is now included in the city’s sightseeing area to see the traditional art of making “chi that covered” by the old man himself, step by step, such as grinding sesame with a stone mortar, processing ingredients, cooking sequence, fire soup,.. Here you will enjoy super delicious tea and observe how to cook deliciously and deliciously in Hoi An.

Continuing the story of the heirloom craft

The old man’s descendants received the “inheritance” recipe to continue to develop the family’s reputation. Ganh xí that cover  are now sold permanently at the address opposite the City Social Protection Center. Hoi An. No longer hear the dear old man’s voice, but the childhood tea still has intact memories.

Ms. Ngo Thi Thi is the second daughter of Mr. Ngo Thieu, from a young age, she and her father went to sell all over Hoi An, so the customers who come to buy are usually old acquaintances of the old lady, addicted to this dish, but keep the habit of coming in the morning to order. row. Many grandparents and parents come to buy for their children before 9 o’clock because if they are late, they will not be able to buy them.

If you’ve never tried it, you shouldn’t miss the oldest traditional dish – Xí but phu, one of the symbols associated with the old town. Save this meaningful information to share with friends when you have the opportunity to visit Hoi An heritage region. Hoi An location will always accompany you on every trip.