Northwest Vietnam, a land of majestic mountains, genuine people, and unique culinary culture, is always an attractive destination for tourists. Coming to the Northwest, you not only admire the beautiful natural scenery but also have the opportunity to enjoy countless delicious specialties. Let’s explore the dishes that you must try when you come to this highland region.
Smoked Pork – An Unforgettable Flavor of the Mountains
Smoked pork is a famous specialty of the Northwest region, especially delicious on cold winter days. The secret to the special flavor of this dish lies in the traditional processing method of the Black Thai people, combined with characteristic mountain spices such as mac khen and doi seeds. After being carefully marinated, the pork is hung above the kitchen stove to be smoked, creating a rich, irresistible flavor.
Delicious smoked pork, a specialty of Northwest Vietnam, a meaningful gift for relatives and friends
“Cap Nach” Pig – Delicious Dish from a Special Breed
“Cap nach” pig is a local pig breed crossbred between wild boar and Muong pig. They are raised freely in the forest, foraging for food themselves, so the meat is very firm and flavorful. The name “cap nach” (carried under the armpit) comes from the fact that people often carry the pigs under their armpits when taking them to sell because they are quite small in size, only about 10kg. Roasted “cap nach” pig is one of the most popular dishes. The pig is stuffed with herbs in its belly, rubbed with doi seeds, mac khen, ginger, and turmeric powder on its skin, then roasted evenly over charcoal, creating an irresistible delicious flavor.
Smoked Sausage – Culinary Symbol of the Northwest
Northwest smoked sausage is famous for its characteristic smoky flavor, the pungent taste of mac khen seeds, the aroma of doi forest, and other mountain spices. Once a favorite dish of the Black Thai people, smoked sausage has become a culinary symbol of the Northwest region, loved by many tourists. Unlike Southern sausage which is sweet and fatty, Northwest smoked sausage focuses on the rich, chewy taste of the casing, the sweetness of lean meat, and the fat of fat meat, creating a unique, unforgettable flavor.
Ash-Grilled Goby Fish – Unique Flavor of Lai Chau
Ash-grilled goby fish is a famous specialty of Lai Chau province. Goby fish is caught from streams and rivers, so it is very fresh and delicious. After being cleaned, the fish is marinated with ginger, pepper, lemongrass, chili, mac khen, and hom leaves, then wrapped in dong leaves and buried in hot ash. When enjoying, the fish has a sweet, savory taste, fragrant with mac khen, dong leaves, spicy ginger, fragrant lemongrass, and slightly pungent hom leaves, creating a unique flavor that cannot be confused with any other.
Purple Sticky Rice – A Signature Dish of the Tay and Nung People
Purple sticky rice is a dish that makes up the signature of the Tay and Nung people in Lang Son. The sticky rice is made from glutinous rice grains, which are large and even, with an eye-catching purple color created from magenta plant leaves. Magenta plant leaves not only create a beautiful color but are also believed to have many health benefits, especially for intestinal diseases. Purple sticky rice is often served with boiled chicken, grilled chicken, or roasted sesame salt.
Fragrant purple sticky rice made from glutinous rice, eye-catching color from magenta plant leaves, a traditional dish of the Tay and Nung people in Northwest Vietnam
Au Tau Porridge – Delicious Dish for Winter Nights in Ha Giang
Au Tau porridge is a special porridge made from glutinous flower rice, au tau tubers, and broth from pork knuckles. When eating, you will feel the fragrant stickiness of glutinous rice, the savory taste of au tau tubers, and the fatty taste of pork knuckles. Au Tau porridge is often served with chicken eggs or other spices. This specialty is usually sold on cold winter nights in Ha Giang, bringing warmth and a special flavor to diners.
Hoa Ban Bamboo Shoot Salad – Harmonious Flavors of the Lai Chau Mountains
If you have the opportunity to visit Lai Chau, don’t forget to enjoy Hoa Ban bamboo shoot salad. This delicious dish is a harmonious blend of bitter, sour, sweet, salty, and savory flavors, creating a unique culinary experience. The main ingredients of the dish are hoa ban flowers and bitter bamboo shoots, combined with grilled fish caught from streams, creating a rustic flavor typical of the mountains and forests.
Bac Me Bamboo-Tube Rice – Quintessence of Ha Giang Cuisine
Bac Me bamboo-tube rice is a famous specialty of the Tay people in Bac Me (Ha Giang). The rice is cooked from fragrant glutinous rice in bamboo or nứa tubes over charcoal. When cooked, bamboo-tube rice has a flavor that blends the aroma of glutinous rice and the characteristic scent of grilled bamboo. Especially in the ripe rice season, bamboo-tube rice seems to encapsulate the quintessence of the golden terraced fields. Bamboo-tube rice can be eaten plain or dipped in sesame salt, cham cheo, or fatty grilled fish.
Grilled River Moss – Unique Dish of the Thai and Tay People
Grilled river moss is a dish that may seem strange to many people, but it is a familiar dish of the Thai and Tay people. Moss is harvested from clean, clear streams, when it is still young (about 3-4 days old). After harvesting, the moss is pounded, washed, scrubbed, and rinsed thoroughly to remove all dirt, gravel, and slime. When grilled, the outer layer of moss is slightly charred when cooked, releasing a fragrant aroma. Grilled moss is eaten hot or served with grilled stream fish, pork, chicken, etc.
Grilled river moss, a unique dish of the Thai and Tay people with the characteristic flavor of the mountains and forests
Enjoying the Culinary Experience of Northwest Vietnam
Northwest Vietnam is not only a land of majestic natural beauty but also a culinary paradise with countless delicious specialties. Take the time to explore and enjoy these unique dishes to have memorable experiences on your journey to discover the Northwest highlands. Surely, the flavors of the mountains and forests will linger in your heart long after your trip.