Ha Giang offers a unique culinary experience with its diverse and flavorful local dishes. Here are some must-try local foods that capture the essence of this highland region:
1. Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Rice Pancake Rolls)
Bánh cuốn, or steamed rice pancake rolls, is a popular breakfast dish in Ha Giang. Unlike other regions that use fish sauce for dipping, Ha Giang locals prefer a hot broth as the dipping sauce. This dish is known for its delicate flavor and is listed among CNN's 40 Delicious Vietnamese Dishes.
Typically made with rice starch, tapioca starch, and cold water, the mixture is spread thin in a pan, often with an egg added for extra richness. Bánh cuốn can be served with minced pork and mushrooms and is usually garnished with spring onions, cilantro, pepper, and chili. It's a perfect choice for the cool mornings in Ha Giang.
2. Thắng Dền (Floating Cake)
Thắng dền is a traditional dessert often enjoyed during the winter months. It resembles bánh trôi tàu from Hanoi but differs in preparation and taste. Made from sticky rice flour, the dough is shaped into balls and boiled until it floats to the surface.
This dish is served with cane sugar, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, and peanuts, making it both visually appealing and delicious.
3. Xôi Ngũ Sắc (Five-Color Sticky Rice)
Xôi ngũ sắc, or five-color sticky rice, is a traditional dish among the ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam. The dish features rice in five colors: red, yellow, green, purple, and white, achieved using natural ingredients like leaves and roots instead of artificial dyes.
Each color represents one of the five elements in Vietnamese beliefs: yellow (earth), red (fire), green (plants), white (metal), and purple or black (water). Traditionally served during Tet and festivals, it is now commonly found at local fairs and ethnic restaurants in Ha Giang.
4. Ha Giang Smoked Sausage and Meat
Ha Giang is renowned for its smoked sausages and dried meats, prepared using traditional methods. The sausages are made from fatty lean meat seasoned with spices and smoked for several days, resulting in a firm, flavorful product.
Dried meats, including pork, beef, buffalo, or horse meat, are marinated and smoked until dry. These products are a favorite among locals and tourists alike, often taken home as souvenirs.
5. Cơm Lam (Bamboo Tube Rice)
Cơm lam, or bamboo tube rice, is a distinctive dish from Bac Me in Ha Giang. Glutinous rice is soaked, placed in bamboo tubes, and roasted over hot coals. The process imparts a unique aroma to the rice, making it a delightful treat.
Cơm lam is best enjoyed with sesame salt, roasted meat, or fish.
6. Cháo Au Tau (Au Tau Porridge)
Au Tau porridge, a night-time delicacy in Ha Giang, combines glutinous rice with a simmered broth made from pig’s trotters and herbal leaves. This slightly bitter porridge is renowned for its rich, complex flavors and is considered both a comforting dish and a medicinal tonic.
Enjoying a bowl of cháo au tau in the cozy winter evenings of Ha Giang is a unique experience that many find unforgettable.
Enjoy these delicious dishes and immerse yourself in the rich culinary culture of Ha Giang!
