Top 10 Must-Try Specialties of Quang Tri

Bánh Tu Huýt is a popular snack in Quang Tri, especially among children. It holds a special place in the hearts of the locals, tied to their childhood memories. For visitors from other regions, the name and unique shape of this cake are both intriguing and surprising.

This cake is made from a blend of cassava flour and potato flour, with the best version being a mixture of both. The process starts with choosing high-quality, undamaged potatoes and cassava. These are thinly sliced, dried, and stored for the winter, when they are used to make the cake.

To prepare the cake, the dried tubers are ground into flour, mixed with sugar cane and water, and kneaded into dough. Once the dough reaches the perfect texture—smooth and elastic—it is wrapped around a chopstick and shaped with a hole in the center. After that, the cake is steamed. Once done, it turns a brownish color and gives off a fragrant aroma of sweet potatoes combined with the sweetness of sugar cane.

Salad is a very popular dish in Central Vietnam, loved for its fresh and natural flavors. However, the shrimp salad in Quang Tri stands out as something truly unique: Dancing Shrimp Salad. The name alone sparks curiosity, as it conjures the image of tiny shrimp hopping playfully on a plate, creating a fun and intriguing experience.

Gỏi Tép Nhảy is made with live, fresh shrimp. After being caught, the shrimp are cleaned, removing their antennae and legs, then soaked in salted water. The process is simple yet flavorful—fresh shrimp are mixed with roasted peanuts, aromatic herbs, sesame seeds, lime, and chili. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed to ensure the full, bold flavors are absorbed. The salad is served with young mustard greens and crispy rice crackers.

This is a distinctive dish from Quang Tri that visitors must try when they pass through the area. Although the raw nature of the dish might not be for everyone, it’s definitely worth giving it a try!

Suggested Location: Tam Choi Restaurant, Bau Trang Area, Quang Tri

Turmeric Noodles (Bún Nghệ) is a simple, beloved dish among the people of Quang Tri and is considered one of the region's unique specialties, attracting many visitors from far and wide.

This dish is made with straightforward ingredients but offers an exceptional, unforgettable taste. The noodles are stir-fried with turmeric in a large bowl, mixed with pig's intestines, spices, and fried shallots, all cooked together over a gentle heat.

When served, you’ll enjoy the firm texture of the noodles, the aromatic turmeric flavor, and the savory taste of the cooked intestines, making it a wonderful combination. This is certainly a dish that visitors won't soon forget after tasting it for the first time.

Suggested Locations:

• Phuoc 5 Market, Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province
• Various markets or eateries on the streets in Dong Ha, Quang Tri

Mai Xa Clam Noodles is a renowned delicacy from Quang Tri and one of the iconic dishes of Vietnam. Although it’s a simple, humble dish, it’s widely beloved for its delicious taste, affordability, and nutritional value.

The primary ingredient of this dish is the 'chắt chắt', a type of mollusk similar to clams, found in brackish water and packed with protein.

After harvesting the chắt chắt from the river, they are cleaned thoroughly to remove sand and mucus. Then, they are boiled until the shells open, making it easier to extract the meat. The clam meat is then sautéed with spices and fragrant shallots, while the broth is enhanced with more spices and fresh ginger for added depth. The noodles are placed in a bowl, topped with the sautéed clam mixture, and served with a delicious blend of flavors. You can enjoy it with fresh herbs, chili sauce, and soy sauce for added zest.

Suggested Locations: Many roadside eateries in Quang Tri serve this tasty dish.

Phuong Lang Rice Cakes originate from an ancient craft village. While rice cakes can be found in many places, this particular variety offers a unique flavor, making it a distinctive local specialty.

The main ingredient for these rice cakes is cleanly washed rice, which is soaked overnight. The rice is then ground into a fine batter, mixed with water, and spread over a steaming pot of boiling water. In just a few moments, fresh, soft rice cakes are ready to be served. The secret to a perfect rice cake lies in the skill of the maker, as it must not be too thick or too thin.

When served, the rice cakes are often wrapped around fatty pork slices and fresh herbs, then dipped into a spicy fish sauce, creating a delicious and harmonious combination of flavors. The richness of the pork, the heat of the chili, and the smooth texture of the rice cake create an irresistible taste.

Though simple, Phuong Lang Rice Cakes are beloved by visitors and remain a must-try dish for anyone visiting Quang Tri.

Quang Tri is known for its unique and distinctive dishes, and steamed corn is one of the most popular specialties here.

The preparation of this dish is straightforward, though it requires attention to detail. The finest corn kernels are selected, cleaned, and soaked overnight. After soaking, they are steamed until tender. Once cooked, the corn is mixed with ingredients like green beans, pepper, sugar, salt, and sesame seeds.

A serving of steamed corn offers a delightful mix of flavors, combining the rich taste of corn and beans, the sweetness of sugar, and a touch of salt. It's a dish that will surely warm your heart.

Make sure to try this simple yet special dish when you visit Quang Tri!

Jackfruit salad is a simple yet quintessential dish of Quang Tri, reflecting the region's unique flavors. Known locally as 'mit thau' or 'mixed jackfruit,' it combines humble ingredients: young jackfruit, pork skin, peanuts, fresh herbs, glass noodles, and vermicelli.

To prepare, select young jackfruit, boil it until tender, then peel and chop both the flesh and seeds into small pieces. The jackfruit is then stir-fried with onions, chili, and fish sauce to enhance its savory flavor. The boiled pork skin is also chopped and stir-fried, and the glass noodles are cooked and pan-fried until golden. Once all the ingredients are ready, they are mixed together in a bowl and served.

Quang Tri's jackfruit salad is a delightful combination of the sweet, nutty taste of jackfruit, chewy glass noodles, crispy pork skin, and the irresistible aroma of roasted peanuts, making it a must-try dish for any visitor.

Cua Tung Beach, located in Cua Tung town, Vinh Linh district, Quang Tri province, is not only a beautiful beach but also a unique spot where seaweed thrives – something rare in other places. Using this abundant resource, the locals have crafted an extraordinary and unique dish called 'Seaweed Jelly Cake'.

The process of harvesting and preparing seaweed is no easy task, as it requires hard work under the sun, battling the sea winds and waves. Once harvested, the seaweed is soaked in ginger water to reduce its salty taste, and then rinsed to ensure it is clean. Afterward, the seaweed is chopped and boiled in a pot until it becomes soft, thick, and gelatinous. Some sugar may be added to sweeten the jelly.

Seaweed Jelly Cake has a distinctive jade-green color from the seaweed, making it visually stunning. The taste is refreshing and gently sweet, offering a rare culinary experience. Since this dish is unique to Quang Tri, make sure to try it when you visit this region!

Reference location: Cua Tung Fish Market area, Vinh Quang, Vinh Linh, Quang Tri.

When visiting Quang Tri, not trying the flavor of Truong Leafed Buffalo Meat would be a real missed opportunity. The name itself sparks curiosity, as not everyone knows about Truong leaves. These leaves naturally grow in the mountainous regions of Quang Tri. The dish consists of buffalo meat combined with Truong leaves, and locals typically prepare it in two ways: grilled buffalo meat with Truong leaves or stir-fried buffalo meat with Truong leaves.

Though made from the same ingredients, each cooking method offers a distinctly unique flavor. Truong Leafed Buffalo Meat is a highly appealing dish for travelers, with the sweet taste of buffalo meat balanced by the spicy, aromatic flavor of the Truong leaves, making it even more delightful. Additionally, buffalo meat is known for its health benefits, such as boosting energy, strengthening bones, and treating various ailments. So, enjoying this delicious dish while also nourishing your health is truly a wonderful experience!

Reference location: Most restaurants and eateries in Quang Tri offer this dish.

Quang Tri is a region known for its unique and fascinating dishes, and among them is Lemongrass Entrails (also known as 'Lòng Thả'), a dish that never fails to captivate visitors. The main ingredient in this dish is lemongrass, complemented by other components like pig's blood, duck's blood, roasted rice, and mung beans.

The preparation of lemongrass entrails begins by cleaning the pig or duck's blood (depending on personal preference), cutting it into small pieces, and waiting for the porridge made from roasted rice to come to a boil. Once boiling, the blood is added, along with lemongrass, seasonings, and mung beans. After cooking for a while, the dish is served in a bowl and garnished with some green onions. The result is a rich, flavorful, and distinctive dish. Locals in Quang Tri enjoy this dish hot and spicy, especially during the chilly winter months—nothing beats a steaming bowl of lemongrass entrails to warm you up. Additionally, it is known for its ability to help relieve colds.

Though the ingredients are simple and familiar, lemongrass entrails have a special flavor unique to Quang Tri, making it a must-try delicacy for anyone visiting the region.