Top 20 Unmissable Delicacies from Ninh Bình

Yên Mạc Fermented Pork is a specialty of Ninh Bình, created by Phạm Thị Thư, the daughter of the High Minister Phạm Thận Duật, based on the royal fermented pork dish from the Nguyễn Dynasty's imperial court in Hue.

The pork used for this dish must be freshly slaughtered and still warm, with the lean part of the thigh or hindquarters being ideal. If the meat is too fatty or from the shoulder, the dish becomes soggy and loses its flavor. The fat is carefully removed, and the lean meat is finely sliced into small pieces, tenderized with the back of a knife, and coated in roasted rice flour. Then, the mixture is wrapped in clean cloth and pressed to drain excess moisture, ensuring the fermented pork stays fresh for longer. The pork skin is boiled until just tender, then flattened and thinly sliced into fine threads. After mixing the pork with the skin, rice flour, and salt, it's left to ferment. The balance of ingredients is key to achieving the perfect taste—too little rice flour and salt will make it spoil, while too much will make it sour too quickly. The pork is wrapped in banana leaves, with guava leaves added for a fragrant aroma. During summer, the fermented pork can be eaten after one day, in fall after two days, and in winter after 3 to 4 days.

The best way to enjoy Yên Mạc Fermented Pork is with a selection of fresh herbs like fig leaves, wild betel leaves, and Vietnamese coriander. The combination of flavors creates a distinctive, unforgettable taste that reminds you of home. Whether fresh or aged, the pork is always tender and pinkish in color, making for a delightful treat. A portion of fermented pork typically costs between 40,000 and 50,000 VND. You should definitely try it and compare the flavors of fermented pork from different regions. You can even try a unique variation made with goat meat—why not give it a try?

Kim Sơn Fermented Fish Salad is one of the most beloved specialties of Ninh Bình. This dish has captured the hearts of countless visitors who come to explore the province. The fish used must be fresh and large, weighing over 400 grams, with a fat white belly and dark green back. The preparation process is meticulous and careful, ensuring the fish doesn't have a strong fishy taste. When eaten, the salad offers a delightful blend of flavors, from the savory taste of toasted rice powder to the tangy vinegar and the spicy warmth of ginger, pepper, and chili in the dipping sauce.

The preparation of Kim Sơn Fermented Fish Salad requires a lot of care. After catching the fish, a solution of lime water, ash, and bamboo leaves is used to remove the slimy coating from the skin. The fish is then sliced along its back and deboned. The fresh fish meat is cut into thin, pink slices, resembling the color of snakehead fish (a type of local fish). The rice powder is made by toasting glutinous rice and grinding it into fine flour, giving it a pleasant aroma and rich taste. The fish meat is quickly mixed with the rice powder to enhance its flavor. The skin is fried until crispy and rolled into the salad. The fish bones are crushed to make a flavorful dipping sauce.

Kim Sơn Fermented Fish Salad is typically served with sesame rice crackers, a variety of herbs, and spices such as fig leaves, guava leaves, Vietnamese coriander, wild betel leaves, starfruit, and more. These leaves are rolled into cones, and the fish is placed inside, topped with the dipping sauce, a pinch of salt, some dried shallots, and fresh chili slices. The combination of these flavors is both fragrant and savory, making it a dish you won't forget after tasting it. This is a must-try when experiencing Ninh Bình's cuisine. A plate of Kim Sơn Fermented Fish Salad costs around 100,000-150,000 VND, offering a generous amount of fish. To truly appreciate the unique taste of this dish, you must try it in Ninh Bình.

Mountain Snails are a beloved delicacy in Vietnam, but it's the mountain snails of Ninh Bình that offer a truly unique flavor. From April to August, during the rainy season, these snails emerge to feed and reproduce. They are commonly found in the limestone mountain ranges of Tam Điệp, Yên Mô, and Nho Quan. The meat of these snails is firm, chewy, sweet, and infused with the scent of Chinese herbs. Mountain snails can be prepared in various ways: grilled, stir-fried with tamarind, steamed with ginger, boiled with lemongrass, or mixed into a fresh salad with onions – each dish is equally tantalizing. A plate of mountain snails typically costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND.

Ninh Bình Mountain Snails are a local specialty made from the snail's meat, served simply with a flavorful dipping sauce that enhances its unique taste. It’s not difficult to find these snails in Ninh Bình, especially at the local markets in Tam Điệp or Yên Mô. They are abundant, but only available after a rainstorm. If you're eager to taste them right away, any restaurant in Ninh Bình can serve up a delicious dish of mountain snails. Make sure to ask for it by name when you're there.

Sour Soup with Wild Tilapia is a dish that can be found in many places, but it is the tilapia caught from the caves of Tổng Trường that makes it truly special. The fish is plump and tender, and when combined with tomatoes and tofu, it creates a delicious and flavorful sour soup. Sour Soup with Wild Tilapia can be enjoyed with either white rice or fresh noodles. The first spoonful will reveal a tangy taste from the pickled vegetables and sour cabbage, complemented by the rich flavor of tofu and the unique, firm texture of the fried tilapia. These ingredients blend together perfectly to create a memorable meal that embodies the essence of Ninh Bình.

Sour Soup with Wild Tilapia might appear simple, but its taste is a powerful draw for anyone who tries it. While the preparation of the dish may seem easy, its distinct flavor comes from the local tilapia, which is unlike any other. So, if you ever find yourself in Ninh Bình, don’t miss the chance to savor this humble yet outstanding dish that’s deeply connected to the region’s rich landscape.

The price for a bowl ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 VND, making it a tasty and nutritious choice for visitors, especially during the summer.

In addition to goat meat and crispy rice, Ninh Bình is also famous for its eel vermicelli, a must-try specialty. Unlike other regions, Ninh Bình selects only young, firm eels with brownish backs and golden bellies for this dish. The secret to its unique flavor lies in the broth. The broth is made from eel bones, which are simmered with pork bones for hours, constantly skimming the foam to keep the broth clear and rich in natural flavors. As a result, the eel vermicelli comes with a deep brown, thick broth that’s visually appealing and full of flavor.

Eel vermicelli is usually served with banana flower to add a mild, refreshing taste that balances the natural flavors of the eel. The price of this dish is similar to that of the sour soup with wild tilapia. Be sure to try Ninh Bình eel vermicelli and experience the magic of this dish.

If you’re looking for the best traditional eel vermicelli in Ninh Bình, head to the eateries along Trần Hưng Đạo or Hoàng Diệu streets to enjoy this delicious dish.

Stir-fried field crab with Piper lolot leaves is a humble and popular dish in Ninh Bình, bringing the authentic taste of the countryside. The golden-brown crabs combined with the vibrant green Piper lolot leaves not only look inviting but also release a wonderful fragrance from the crab and the leaves, heightened by a hint of lemongrass. When eaten, the crispy crab meat dipped in a mixture of salt, pepper, lime, and chili is absolutely irresistible.

The field crabs are carefully selected, cleaned, and then stir-fried with freshly chopped Piper lolot leaves. This dish, made from wild crabs rather than farmed ones, offers a unique texture—the crispiness of the field crab perfectly complements the aromatic flavor of the Piper lolot leaves. It's best enjoyed with a hot bowl of rice.

Stir-fried field crab with Piper lolot leaves is characterized by the crispy, nutty taste of the crab, the fragrant leaves, and the spicy kick from the chili. This dish is a must-try whenever the harvest season rolls around. The price ranges from 35,000 to 50,000 VND per dish.

Braised fish with gáo fruit is a rustic dish that originates from Ninh Bình, one of the area's most popular and irresistible delicacies. Contrary to what the name suggests, this dish doesn't involve braising fish with gáo fruit itself; instead, it uses the gáo fruit to infuse its unique flavor into the fish. Gáo is a tropical plant typically found near streams or at the foot of hills.

The gáo fruit has a slightly sour, sweet, and fragrant taste, making it a great substitute for tamarind or sour fruits in soups. However, its best use is in braised fish with gáo fruit—a dish that has become an iconic specialty of Ninh Bình, especially when you visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lư. The combination of the fruit’s distinct flavor and the rich, tender fish creates an unforgettable taste. While the cooking process is simple, it requires a certain skill in choosing ingredients and preparing the fish to perfection.

This humble dish, made with just a few basic ingredients and the expertise of local chefs, has become a source of pride for the people of Ninh Bình. A serving of braised fish with gáo fruit is priced between 20,000 and 30,000 VND, offering an authentic taste of the region.

Ninh Bình is famous for its goat meat and crispy rice, but it also offers a unique and distinctive dessert: Ninh Bình rice dumplings. While rice dumplings can be found in many regions, those from Ninh Bình stand out due to their special flavor and traditional preparation methods. Made with rice flour, these dumplings are filled with a mixture of honey, crushed peanuts, and a local herb called 'cúc mốc'. The herb is finely chopped, soaked in honey for about 30 minutes to absorb the sweet flavor, and then placed in the center of the dough, along with the ground peanuts.

To enhance the dumplings' delicate fragrance, a few leaves of 'cúc mốc' and some pomelo blossoms are added to the boiling water. This creates a subtle sweetness and a refreshing aroma that makes these dumplings truly unique. For just 10,000 to 15,000 VND, you can enjoy a plate of these light, aromatic rice dumplings. Visiting Ninh Bình to enjoy the picturesque scenery and these refreshing dumplings is an experience you won't forget.

Another popular specialty from Ninh Bình is Tố Như Pork and Noodle Soup. True to its name, this dish consists of noodles, pork meatballs (mộc), fresh herbs, and a light broth. Though the ingredients seem simple, crafting this dish requires great attention to detail. The noodles must be perfectly white, firm, and chewy, with each pork meatball crafted to be just the right size and texture. Unlike other noodle soups, the components of Tố Như are served separately, allowing diners to assemble their bowl as they wish—adding as much or as little of each ingredient as desired.

The noodles are neither too soft nor too chewy, perfectly complemented by the savory meatballs and a clear, delicate broth that has a subtle sweetness. This makes the dish an unforgettable experience, prompting visitors to return to the Phát Diệm-Kim Sơn region to enjoy it again. A bowl of Tố Như Pork and Noodle Soup typically costs around 25,000 to 30,000 VND—affordable and delicious.

If you ever visit Ninh Bình, make sure to try this unforgettable dish—you'll be sure to remember it and want to return for more!

Ninh Bình is famous for its rich tourist attractions and unique local specialties. While Kim Sơn is known for Lai Thành wine, Hoa Lư for mountain goat dishes, and Yên Mạc for its distinct fermented pork, Nho Quan stands out for its rare and remarkable dish: Nho Quan Ant Egg Sticky Rice.

Wondering what 'ant eggs' are? The key ingredient of this dish is brown ant eggs, which are found in the limestone mountains of Nho Quan. Every year, in the second month of the lunar calendar, the locals gather these eggs. After being carefully cleaned with warm water and seasoned, the ant eggs are cooked with sticky rice to create this one-of-a-kind dish. Due to the difficulty of finding the eggs, the price of this dish ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 VND per plate.

For food enthusiasts seeking new and exciting flavors, Nho Quan Ant Egg Sticky Rice is a must-try dish in Ninh Bình. If you have the chance, don't hesitate to sample this unique culinary experience!

Lai Thành, a commune in the southernmost part of Kim Sơn district in Ninh Bình, is famous for its distinctive rice wine. Made from the fragrant golden glutinous rice grown in this region, the rice is small, plump, and white as milk, with a subtle, pleasant aroma. Every year, the people of Lai Thành dedicate a portion of their land to cultivate this traditional rice variety. Once harvested, the rice is dried, carefully sifted, and stored in jars for brewing.

Making this wine requires a delicate process, from distillation to the selection of yeast and water. Lai Thành Wine improves with age, becoming stronger and more flavorful over time. The aroma of the wine, even from hundreds of meters away, is unmistakable—spicy and enticing, it lingers in the air, evoking a sense of warmth and relaxation. The wine, once bottled, is clear with a gentle layer of sediment that adds to its allure.

Enjoying Lai Thành Wine alongside local dishes like fish, crab, shrimp, or noodle soup creates an unforgettable experience in this coastal land of sunshine and sea breezes. A 5-liter jar of this exquisite wine costs about 257,000 VND, and it’s a must-try for any visitor to the region.

When you think of rice wine, the first place that often comes to mind is the Central Highlands – the birthplace of this famous beverage with varieties like Y Miên and buried-earth rice wine. However, did you know that Ninh Bình, the ancient capital, also boasts its own distinctive, flavorful rice wine known as Nho Quan Rice Wine?

Nho Quan Rice Wine is a traditional specialty of the Mường people. It is made from glutinous rice, which is cooked into rice and then mixed with yeast before being stored in large ceramic jars for at least three months. Unlike Lai Thành wine, it is not distilled. The result is a fragrant, spicy wine with a unique flavor. This method of preparation gives the wine a smooth yet potent taste.

What makes this wine even more unique is the way it is served. Instead of pouring it into cups, the Mường people drink it through hollow bamboo tubes that are inserted into the large jars of wine. This shared experience brings people closer together, making it a social event. The flavor of Nho Quan rice wine is not overwhelming like other strong spirits but offers a mild, sweet-spicy kick that is truly enjoyable when drunk in the traditional manner.

In the coastal region of Kim Sơn, Ninh Bình, there's a fish species locally known as Lác Ngoách, which is now considered a rare delicacy. Once common, this fish can now only be found on the tables of locals and is rarely seen in urban areas.

Although its name might sound unusual, Lác Ngoách simply refers to the Lác fish. This fish originates from Kim Sơn, with two distinct varieties: Lác Hoa, which inhabits the riversides, and Lác Đen, found only in the new coastal areas of Kim Sơn. A remarkable trait of this fish is its ability to live both on land and in water, often residing in muddy caves. A plate of Lác fish, priced around 35,000-40,000 VND, offers a flavorful, firm, bone-free white flesh with a fragrant, rich, and fatty taste.

So well-known has this fish become that people now refer to the region as the “Capital of Lác Ngoách” or the “City of Lác Ngoách.” If you ever find yourself in Cồn Thoi or Bình Minh Town, don’t miss the opportunity to try this local specialty!

The region of Ninh Bình is famous not only for its stunning landscapes but also for its variety of delicious dishes such as goat meat, crispy rice, fermented pork from Yên Mạc, mountain snails, and family-style fish paste. However, one lesser-known yet cherished dish is the local specialty Chạo Chân Giò from Kim Sơn.

Chạo Chân Giò is a must-try dish for guests visiting the area. While it's simple to prepare, it requires careful attention to ingredient selection and preparation techniques. The main ingredient is pig’s trotters, carefully chosen for their size and tenderness. Larger trotters have thicker skin and tougher meat, so medium-sized ones are preferred. After cooking, the trotters are shredded and mixed with a combination of spices and fresh fruits like green mango and starfruit, giving the dish a refreshing balance of sourness and sweetness. Priced at 20,000-40,000 VND per plate, it's a perfect choice for a savory snack or side dish.

At first glance, few would dare to touch these unattractive black beetles with hard wings. However, Cà Niễng has found its way onto the list of must-try Ninh Bình specialties. This rural delicacy captures the essence of the countryside, made from beetles that thrive in the fields where peanuts, corn, and sweet potatoes are grown. Cà Niễng is typically stir-fried with a balanced mix of spices, offering a simple yet satisfying dish often served alongside vegetable soups.

Cà Niễng beetles are small, about the size of a pinky finger, with black, slightly stiff wings. They inhabit wet rice fields, particularly where grasses, reeds, and moss grow. After harvesting the beetles, their legs and wings are removed, and some even carefully scoop out the insides before washing them clean. Once dried, the beetles are stir-fried – similar to how shrimp is cooked – seasoned with salt and sometimes even a bit of fermented brine, resulting in a true countryside delicacy. For just 30,000-50,000 VND, this simple yet flavorful dish can be enjoyed by any discerning foodie.

Instead of the typical okra, the villagers of Ninh Bình have introduced a unique variation by using hibiscus leaves to make a flavorful and refreshing crab soup. Crab Soup with Hibiscus Leaves is a simple yet delightful dish that embodies the down-to-earth charm of Ninh Bình. If you visit during the summer, be sure to try this special dish. In many restaurants, you can request this unique soup to be prepared for you.

Crab Soup with Hibiscus Leaves offers a taste similar to the classic crab soup with okra, but it’s lighter, sweeter, and much cooler. Unlike okra, the hibiscus leaves don’t leave a bitter aftertaste; instead, they dissolve on your tongue, offering a delicious sensation. A bowl of this soup, priced around 10,000 VND, goes wonderfully with pickled eggplant, making it a tasty and healthy option to cool down during hot summer days. So, if you’re in Ninh Bình on a scorching summer day, don’t miss out on this revitalizing dish!

Hoàng Long Sweet Potato is a beloved specialty of Ninh Bình. The potatoes have pale pink skin and deep golden yellow flesh that resembles turmeric. They are neither too dry nor overly sweet, striking a perfect balance. However, due to their vulnerability to drought and cold, farmers need to give extra care to produce the best-tasting tubers. Today, Hoàng Long Sweet Potatoes are sold at many tourist spots and are particularly favored by international visitors.

Despite its distinctly Vietnamese name, Hoàng Long Sweet Potato has only become popular in the last few decades. Originally introduced from China, it was trialed along the Hoàng Long River in Ninh Bình, and now it is grown widely across Northern Vietnam. However, it is still considered a regional delicacy of Ninh Bình because many believe that the version grown near the Hoàng Long River tastes better than anywhere else. Harvested in late autumn or early winter, this sweet potato is perfect for roasting. If you visit Ninh Bình during this season, don’t miss out on enjoying a warm, roasted Hoàng Long sweet potato!

Ninh Bình is famous throughout Vietnam for its crispy rice, and the phrase "goat meat, Ninh Bình crispy rice" is a well-known saying. Indeed, missing out on this delicacy when visiting the region would be a major loss for any traveler.

Ninh Bình Crispy Rice is a traditional dish from the ancient capital. To prepare this unique dish, the cook must follow several meticulous steps. While newer variations of crispy rice exist today, the essence of its original flavor remains unchanged.

Crispy rice is made with high-quality rice that carries the distinctive taste of the ancient land, unmatched anywhere else. The light golden color and crispy texture make it a delightful snack, with a mild sweetness and a savory richness, especially when paired with dried pork floss. Crispy rice is sold everywhere in Ninh Bình, especially in tourist areas, where visitors can purchase it in various price ranges (from 30,000 to 100,000 VND), available in both box or bag packaging as souvenirs.

Gia Viễn Shrimp Paste is an essential condiment in family meals, festivals, and gatherings in the Gia Viễn region. This rural area has created a rich, fragrant dish that is a hallmark of the local shrimp paste, adding warmth and a sense of togetherness to the meals and celebrations of its people. This humble, salty delicacy has become a unique and irresistible specialty of Ninh Bình that attracts visitors from near and far.

While many industrial-made shrimp pastes are available on the market, a visit to Gia Viễn in Ninh Bình offers an opportunity to taste this special, handmade version. The paste is made from plump shrimp, packed tightly into jars by local families. Its distinctive red color makes it stand out. Shrimp paste has a salty flavor with a hint of sweetness from the shrimp, thick in consistency like shrimp paste but much milder and easier to enjoy. Don't forget to buy some as a souvenir! The price typically ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per liter.

Ninh Bình Mountain Goat refers to a variety of dishes made from goat meat that comes from the limestone mountain areas of Ninh Bình. Dishes such as goat salad, goat hotpot, stir-fried goat, grilled goat, goat stew, and more are all popular. Alongside Ninh Bình's crispy rice, Ninh Bình Mountain Goat was even included in the "Top 50 Vietnamese Specialty Dishes" as recognized by the Vietnam Records Center on September 7, 2012.

The meat from these mountain goats is notably lean, firm, and flavorful. It’s believed that the goats' diet of wild herbs and grasses, along with their active life in the rocky, mountainous terrain, contributes to the texture and quality of their meat. The local flora, including plants like giò gai, bách bộ, and ô zô, is especially beneficial for the goats, creating a unique flavor profile. Other local ingredients like Kim Sơn wine, Nho Quan wine, and crispy rice enhance the dishes. In Ninh Bình, there are numerous restaurants specializing in goat dishes, each with its own secret family recipes. This is one of the region’s signature foods and a proud part of its culinary heritage.

Prices for goat dishes range from 150,000 to 400,000 VND per dish. Mountain goat meat is a must-try for any visitor to Ninh Bình, and it's easy to find goat eateries throughout the city.