Top 10 Local Delights to Try When Visiting Quang Tri

The town of Lao Bao in Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri, is a small border town sharing a crossing with Laos. Due to its proximity, it has absorbed much of the local Lao culinary influences, one of which is Xoi Xum, a delicious and unique dish. Xoi (sticky rice) is a common food, known for its soft and fragrant texture, and is paired with Xum (green papaya salad). The papaya used must be firm, not too ripe or too raw, to ensure a perfect crunch. After peeling and shredding the papaya, it is soaked in a light saltwater solution to remove the sap. A flavorful dressing is made with fermented fish sauce, lime, chili, garlic, and other spices, making the dish spicy. The papaya is then mixed with the dressing and topped with sliced tomatoes and roasted peanuts. It's often served alongside lettuce or fried shrimp for an extra crunch. At Lao Bao, you can visit the Ngon Ngon restaurant, which serves an excellent version of Xoi Xum for a very affordable price of around 30,000 to 50,000 VND.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Le Quy Don, TT. Lao Bao, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri
Phone: 0972 617 150
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

This dish may sound unfamiliar at first, and many might think it resembles the northern-style 'chao long' (intestine porridge). However, Quang Tri Sausage with Lemongrass is made from duck or pork blood, with a distinct lemongrass flavor. The ingredients are cooked in a pot of water with spices, roasted rice, and mung beans until tender. The dish is popular in Quang Tri, often considered a local specialty from this hot, windy land. The preparation involves breaking up the blood into small pieces, adding it to the pot with lemongrass, seasoning, and then cooking it with roasted rice and mung beans. Cleaned pork or duck intestines are sliced into bite-sized pieces and added to the pot. When it boils, the dish is ready to serve. It is traditionally enjoyed with a fiery dose of chili.

Quang Tri Sausage with Lemongrass is known for its intense spiciness, often burning the tongue and making your lips tingle. Locals typically enjoy this dish when it's rainy, as it brings warmth and comfort, or when they're feeling under the weather, as it's believed to help induce sweating, much like the medicinal porridge made with perilla leaves.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Tran Nhat Duat, P. 1, Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri
Phone: 0964 904 135
Opening Hours: 06:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Phuong Lang is a traditional village located in Hai Ba Commune, Hai Lang District, where the famous wet rice cakes originated long ago. The main ingredient of these cakes is rice. After grinding the rice into flour, it is steamed into round cakes. Once steamed, the cakes are stacked and separated when served. While the process seems simple, it actually involves a detailed and labor-intensive procedure.

In Da Nang, the wet rice cakes are usually served rolled up and topped with fish sauce, sliced meats, and sausages. However, in Quang Tri, the cakes are often served with fresh herbs and boiled pork belly, where you grab the whole piece and dip it into fish sauce. The fish sauce is specially prepared – if you don’t like it too spicy, you can opt for a sweet-sour version. For those who enjoy heat, chili powder and chopped fresh chilies with garlic are added, using a local variety of chili that’s both intensely spicy and aromatic. Apart from the Phuong Lang Market in Hai Lang, you can enjoy an authentic version of Phuong Lang Wet Rice Cakes in Quang Tri, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 VND depending on the serving size.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 03 Tran Hung Dao, TT. Hai Lang, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri
Phone: 0814 344 906
Opening Hours: 06:30 AM - 09:00 PM

My Chanh is a village in Hai Chanh Commune, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri. The famous My Chanh Tapioca Cake is beloved across the region and is often chosen as a gift when visiting relatives. The cake is made from locally available ingredients: fine cassava flour, which is abundant in the area, and a filling primarily made of shrimp, though sometimes pork or mung beans are used. Unlike in other regions where the cakes are wrapped in dong leaves, here they are wrapped in banana leaves.

To create a delicious cake, the filling must be prepared carefully—shrimp and pork are slow-cooked to achieve a shiny, orange-red color that’s both visually appealing and flavorful. The cakes are steamed for a specific amount of time to ensure they’re perfectly cooked without becoming too soft and losing their chewy texture. If you ever pass through this area, you can purchase a batch of My Chanh Tapioca Cakes, priced at around 50,000 VND for 10 cakes. They are a perfect snack to share with friends and family.

Though humble in nature, My Chanh Tapioca Cakes have become a cherished dish that many fondly talk about, and they leave a lasting impression when discussing the region. They are also a heartfelt gift for long journeys, carrying the sincere affection of the people of Hai Lang, Quang Tri.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: QL1A, My Chanh, Hai Chanh Commune, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri
Phone: 0935 828 665

You can easily find small eateries selling these hot and delicious crispy pancakes in Quang Tri. The batter for the pancakes is made from rice flour, poured into small round molds with lids, and cooked over a charcoal stove. The filling typically consists of shrimp, lean pork, and bean sprouts. Unlike the Banh Xeo found in Da Nang or the southern regions of Vietnam, the version in Quang Tri features a thicker and crunchier crust, giving it a distinct taste.

The pancakes are usually served with fresh herbs, sliced cucumbers, and rice paper wrappers. The taste of Banh Xeo heavily depends on the dipping sauce, locally known as 'nuoc leo'. Each restaurant has its own secret recipe for this sauce, and though I've tried to learn it, it's a closely guarded secret. If you happen to visit Khe Sanh Town in Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri, make sure to stop by one of the Banh Xeo stalls along Le Duan Street. A serving of Banh Xeo typically costs around 30,000 - 50,000 VND, enough for 3 to 4 people to enjoy.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 28 National Route 9, P. 1, Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri
Phone: 0944 204 058
Opening Hours: 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

This dish, also known as 'Vat Giuong Fish Porridge' due to the long cylindrical shape of the rice flour noodles resembling a bed frame, is a local specialty. Fish Porridge is typically made with rice flour, though it can also be prepared with wheat flour or tapioca starch based on personal preference. The main ingredient is the snakehead fish, known locally as 'ca loc' or 'ca qua'. This fish is often farmed in the area, ensuring that it's fresh and flavorful.

The preparation process is unique: the fish is cleaned without removing its guts, then steamed until fully cooked. The meat is separated from the bones, seasoned with a variety of spices, and combined with cooked rice flour noodles. Finally, a spicy broth is poured over the fish and noodles to complete the dish. If you visit Hai Lang Town, you'll find many street-side stalls offering this delicious porridge, or you can head to Dien Sanh Village in Hai Tho Commune to taste the authentic flavor. Prices range from 15,000 VND to 25,000 VND.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: 32 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 5, Hai Lang District, Quang Tri
Phone: 0988 442 224

In Quang Tri, there's a special dish enjoyed during the holidays: Banh La Gai. This sweet, soft treat is made with great care and skill, and its preparation is no easy feat.

The sticky rice used is carefully selected, cleaned, and ground into flour. After draining the water, it's mixed with gai leaf powder. The two ingredients are then kneaded together until smooth, ensuring a soft, chewy texture. The filling consists of mung beans that are cleaned and cooked just right, then mashed and mixed with sugar and ginger for a fragrant, sweet taste. The filling is formed into small balls, and the key to a perfect Banh La Gai is making sure the beans are smooth without being too runny or strong in flavor. The final touch is wrapping the dough and filling in banana leaves to create an aesthetically pleasing Banh La Gai, which closely resembles the Banh It from southern Vietnam.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Trieu Dai Commune, Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri
Phone: 0362 007 589

Bun Dau Mam Tom is a beloved street food found across Vietnam, including Quang Tri. This dish consists of a variety of ingredients. The tofu is sliced into small cubes, then fried until golden and crispy on both sides. The pork belly is thinly sliced, tender, and retains its natural sweetness. The combination of pork, tofu, noodles, fresh herbs, and shrimp paste creates a harmonious balance, leaving diners excited to savor every last bite, with many praising its authentic Hanoi flavor. The noodles used are small, thin strands, cut into approximately 5 cm pieces. It is served with fresh herbs, pickled cucumber, and a tangy-sweet dressing. The shrimp paste used should be pure, not diluted with other flavors.

At Hai Thuong Lan Ong in Quang Tri, the Bun Dau Mam Tom is sold at an affordable price in a spacious restaurant with friendly, welcoming service. Even before ordering, they will offer you a drink. A full serving costs only 15,000 VND, and one bite of the fragrant shrimp paste brings a delightful taste. For snack lovers, this dish will fill you up, and the restaurant also offers a variety of drinks and other snacks that are worth trying.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Hai Thuong Lan Ong, P. 5, Dong Ha City, Quang Tri
Phone: 0971 090 932

If you're looking for a local gem in Quang Tri, Banh Cuon Hem is a must-try. This spot is quite popular among the food enthusiasts of Quang Tri town. You can find it at Kiet 229, Tran Hung Dao, Quang Tri. It's often challenging to find a signature dish that truly represents Quang Tri, but this one stands out with its unique flavors. The locals' preference for spicy food is reflected in this dish, which has become famous across the region.

The dish features savory pork, cut into thin, long slices, with a perfect balance of lean and fatty parts. The pork is wrapped in rice paper, along with fresh herbs, sliced cucumber, julienned banana blossoms, and a tangy-sweet dressing. The dipping sauce has a spicy kick, characteristic of Quang Tri's bold flavors. Additionally, you can enjoy crispy grilled rice paper as an appetizer. It's a fantastic choice for gathering with friends, rolling the food and sipping cold beer together. The price for a meal at Banh Cuon Hem is around 40,000 VND, enough to serve 3-4 people.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: K299 Tran Hung Dao, P. 2, Quang Tri
Phone: 0941 329 339
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM

This dish is a specialty of Mai Xa village, Gio Mai hamlet, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri. Although it's called bun hen, the main ingredient used is the 'chat chat,' a small shellfish related to the clam but much smaller, with a rich, fatty flavor. It thrives in the muddy waters of rural areas. Anyone who has tasted the 'chat chat' from Mai Xa will surely never forget the sweet and humble taste of this inexpensive, local dish. Many diners find themselves going back for second or even third servings.

I truly admire the patience it takes to peel these tiny shellfish. Much like preparing clams, after cleaning, the 'chat chat' is boiled to extract the flesh while keeping the broth, which becomes a refreshing and flavorful base for the dish. The shellfish are then stir-fried with spices, and a few slices of ginger are added to remove any unpleasant smell and enhance the flavor. The dish is served with noodles, a generous portion of the stir-fried shellfish, some fresh herbs, and chili salt. If you prefer your dish a little more soupy, you can add some broth, and that's it—the bun hen is ready to enjoy. Simple yet incredibly satisfying!

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Xom Soi, Gio Linh, Quang Tri
Phone: 0935 515 345