Impressive record: Vietnam’s largest fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew nuts

With a diameter of 68.2cm, a circumference of 215cm and a height of 39cm, a fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew nuts and made by chefs from Dong Nai province on August 20 successfully set a national record for the largest of its kind in Vietnam. This achievement surpassed the previous record, set in 2009, when the dish measured 59.5cm in diameter, 187cm in circumference and 41.5cm in height.

Member of the Provincial Standing Party Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, Le Truong Son(first left); Provincial Party Member and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Thi Ngoc Loan (second right); along with representatives from the Vietnam Records Organization present the certificate for Vietnam’s largest fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew nuts to the Dong Nai Chefs’ Association. Photo: Ngoc Lien

To achieve this result, the chefs of the Dong Nai Chefs’ Association worked tirelessly for days and nights, experimenting and practising with nearly 300kg of glutinous rice and hundreds of litres of cooking oil. They also employed oversized specialised tools such as giant ladles and cast-iron pans.

Determined to honour local specialities

With the aim of creating something unique at a time when the whole nation is looking forward to major events, such as the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, National Day on September 2, the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, leading to the 14th National Party Congress, the chefs sought to promote the cuisine, culture and people of Dong Nai.

Chefs work in close coordination to create perfectly round fried sticky rice balls stuffed with cashew nuts. Photo: Ngoc Lien

 Sharing about the efforts to set a new record, Nguyen Van Thinh, Chairman of the Dong Nai Chefs’ Association, said that as soon as the provincial leaders gave directions, the chefs worked together to research, purchase utensils, and begin training. To create the record-breaking fried sticky rice ball, they had to go through great pressure, from combining ingredients to preparing and practicing the frying process.

 “The fried sticky rice ball is a specialty that we are always proud to present at events. However, when making the fried sticky rice balls stuffed with cashew, a lot of careful calculation is required because adding cashew nut flour alters the composition of the sticky rice. It is because the cashew nut does not bind like glutinous rice, and burns easily if overheated. We are truly delighted and honoured that our determination and desire to showcase our hometown’s speciality have been rewarded,” he said.

Commenting on the record for Vietnam’s largest fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew recently set by Dong Nai chefs, Nguyen Thi Quynh Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Records Institute and General Secretary of the Vietnam Records Organisation, said: The special feature of this record lies not only in its impressive size, but also in the unique combination of Dong Nai’s traditional culinary quintessence and the renowned specialty ingredient – Binh Phuoc cashew nuts. This fusion not only creates an attractive dish in terms of appearance and flavour, but also symbolises cultural connection and integration, as well as the collective spirit driving the development of a new Dong Nai.

“We also highly appreciate the meaningful idea, the thorough preparation of the organisers, and the tireless efforts, talent, and craftsmanship of the chefs, artisans, and culinary experts, which all contributed to the success of this national record,” she said.

Promoting Dong Nai’s culinary values

In recent years, the Dong Nai Chefs' Association has made significant contributions to developing and promoting the province's unique culinary values. With the support and companionship of provincial leaders, the Association has achieved remarkable milestones such as presenting the largest banh bo (Vietnamese honeycomb cake) in Vietnam, preparing the largest grapefruit salad in Vietnam, and showcasing dishes like bun ca lang dot may (noodle soup with catfish and rattan shoots) and canh thut (thuc soup) of the S’tieng and M’nong ethnic groups, which are listed among 121 outstanding Vietnamese dishes. Notably, fried sticky rice balls have become a source of inspiration for chefs to organise the event with the most participants in Vietnam. Furthermore, this specialty of Dong Nai was honoured by the Asia Book of Records as one of Asia’s outstanding dishes, and has now achieved the record for Vietnam’s largest fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew nuts.

Representatives of the Vietnam Records Organisation and chefs measure the actual size of the fried sticky rice ball stuffed with cashew nuts to officially set the record. Photo: Ngoc Lien

 Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, commended the creativity and continuous efforts of the chefs to elevate traditional dishes and present Dong Nai’s distinctive flavours to both domestic and international friends. Dong Nai cuisine is becoming a cultural hallmark and an attractive product for visitors, significantly contributing to the province’s tourism development.

"The Department will create the most favourable conditions for the provincial Chefs’ Association to operate effectively. I firmly believe that with their dedication, talent and spirit of solidarity, the Association will continue to grow stronger, contributing to making Dong Nai's cuisine increasingly diverse, attractive, and renowned,” she said.

By: Ngoc Lien

Translated by: Quynh Nhu-Thu Ha