Banh bot loc (bon boat lock, eight for $2.75) are a specialty of the Vietnamese city of Hue. The wrappers for these dumplings, which often have a more oblong shape, are made from tapioca flour. When steamed, the tapioca becomes translucent and reveals the filling — often, shrimp and pork, here, simply one small whole shrimp each.
Also shown: che khoai mom ($1.50), glutinous rice and taro in coconut milk.
To my knowledge, this business is not under the same ownership as the Ba Le a little ways north on Dot Ave., as Dorchester Ave. is called by the locals.
Ba Le Fields Corner
1449 Dorchester Ave. (at Adams St.), Boston
(From an August 2009 visit)
