Buzz
Northern Vietnamese specialties are always renowned for their delicious and enticing flavors. Just one taste, and you'll never forget their unique taste. It would be a shame to miss out on these delicious and nutritious dishes during your trip to the North. Let's explore 15+ tasty dishes from Northern Vietnam recommended by Mytour!
Famous Northern Vietnam Specialty - Hanoi Grilled Pork with Vermicelli
One of the most famous Northern Vietnamese specialties enjoyed by the capital's residents is Hanoi grilled pork with vermicelli. Almost everyone who visits Hanoi indulges in this dish. It's available in many places, from restaurants to street stalls, making it easy for you to find.
Hanoi Grilled Pork with Vermicelli consists of finely marinated and grilled pork patties over charcoal. These patties are made from finely minced pork shoulder meat, accompanied by a few slices of pork belly. When eating, they are served with vermicelli and fresh herbs. Some places also add pickled vegetables, whose sourness blends harmoniously with the fresh herbs.
The dish is beautifully presented (Image Source: Collected)
In particular, the sweet and sour fish sauce is considered the special highlight of the dish. The fish sauce is prepared with the perfect ratio of sugar, fish sauce, garlic, and chili. Although Hanoi Grilled Pork with Vermicelli does not have a broth made from bones like some other dishes, it still has enough flavor to stimulate your taste buds.
Famous Northern Vietnam Specialty - Hanoi Pho
When talking about Northern Vietnamese specialties, it's impossible not to mention Hanoi Pho. This isn't just a delicacy of the capital but also a hallmark of Vietnamese cuisine. Almost every international visitor to our country wants to try this dish. Pho can be found everywhere throughout the S-shaped land. However, when enjoyed in Hanoi, you'll discover a uniquely distinctive flavor.
The rich broth combined with tender, sweet beef slices and chewy noodles creates a delicious bowl of pho. When eating, add bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and spring onions to enhance the flavor. Passing by pho stalls, you'll catch the unmistakable aroma wafting from the broth pot.
If you're a pho enthusiast, you definitely shouldn't miss this dish when in Hanoi (Image Source: Collected)
This dish is suitable for any meal of the day. You can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some notable pho restaurants to try include Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, Pho Ganh Hang Chieu, Pho Thin Lo Duc... This flavor can only be found in Hanoi, nowhere else.
Famous Northern Vietnamese Specialty - La Vong Grilled Fish Patties
Even if you haven't tasted it, you've probably heard of La Vong grilled fish patties. This is a northern Vietnamese specialty that has been around for a long time. The fish patties are made from carefully selected snakehead fish, meticulously prepared by skilled chefs who remove the bones to make the patties.
Afterward, they are sliced into thick pieces and marinated with flavorful spices. The patties are grilled over charcoal and fried in a hot pan before serving. When you bite into them, you'll experience the crispy texture and rich taste. For extra flavor, enjoy them with vermicelli and roasted peanuts, along with fresh herbs to enhance their appeal.
This is truly a delicious dish with a unique, unforgettable flavor (Image Source: Collected)
According to tradition, Chả cá Lã Vọng originates from the Doan family during the French colonial period. The marinated pieces of fish cake follow a secret family recipe, giving them a distinct and delicious flavor. This uniqueness has contributed to the dish's increasing popularity over time.
Chả cá Lã Vọng is a very famous dish in Hanoi, so it's easy to find. You can enjoy it at Vua Chả Cá restaurant chain, which has many branches. Or visit Chả cá Đường Thành, Chả cá Hà Thành,... which are also popular among diners.
Famous Northern Vietnam Specialty - Hải Phòng Fish Noodle Soup
A delicious dish among Northern Vietnamese specialties is Hải Phòng Fish Noodle Soup. If you have the chance to visit the port city, be sure to try this dish! The golden fish pieces in the bowl will surely tantalize your taste buds. The white noodles combined with rich broth create an irresistibly delicious flavor.
The selected fish pieces are all fresh and meticulously processed. Fish for frying is usually carp, while fish for making fish balls are often mackerel... The broth is simmered for hours with pork bones and fish bones. Although the main ingredient is fish, when you eat it, you won't detect any fishy smell.
A colorful bowl of noodles that makes diners want to dig in immediately (Image Source: Collected)
This dish combines the rustic flavors of the countryside with the salty taste of the sea. It can be served with morning glory, banana flowers, and various herbs to enhance its flavor. A bowl of noodles with vibrant colors and enticing aroma will captivate diners at first sight.
This dish is best enjoyed in Hai Phong. Some places where you can try fish noodle soup are Le Loi spicy fish noodle soup, Thang To spicy fish noodle soup, Van Cao spicy fish noodle soup... It would be a shame to visit Hai Phong and miss out on this delicious dish.
Famous Northern Vietnam Specialty - Hai Phong Square Crab Spring Rolls
A delicious Northern Vietnamese dish you can't miss is Hai Phong Square Crab Spring Rolls. The spring rolls here aren't wrapped in the usual round shape but instead are square. That's why this type of spring roll is also known as square crab spring rolls, seafood square spring rolls. Or simply, square spring rolls.
The filling of the spring rolls is made from crab meat along with various other ingredients. Such as shrimp, carrots, mushrooms... When eating, they are served with fresh vegetables and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. When you taste it, you'll clearly feel the sweetness that seafood brings. Along with the crispy texture of the spring rolls after frying, it enhances the deliciousness.
Square crab spring rolls with their characteristic square shape (Image Source: Collected)
For locals here, this dish requires meticulousness right from the selection of ingredients. Especially the seafood must ensure freshness. Especially the crabs must be meaty and full of roe, as they will be more delicious when cooked. From that, you can also recognize the meticulousness and effort that the cooks put into the dish.
It can be said, this dish follows the footsteps of Hai Phong people and gradually becomes popular. Especially, you can easily find this dish when visiting Hanoi. You will see square crab spring rolls often appear in roadside stalls, eateries, and even in luxurious restaurants.
Famous Northern Vietnam Specialty - Vũ Đại Village Braised Fish
Vũ Đại Village braised fish is one of the famous specialties of Northern Vietnam. Vũ Đại is a village in Hà Nam province, about 60 km from Hanoi. The fish used in this dish is black carp. Before cooking, the fish is marinated according to each family's traditional secret recipe. And then it is braised for about 12 - 14 hours to ensure the perfect aroma and taste.
Braised fish from Vũ Đại Village is a dish prepared with great care and attention to detail. The marinated fish spices are very characteristic of the Northern region. For example, ginger, galangal, and field crab essence... Underneath the clay pot, there is usually a layer of galangal to enhance the flavor. What's more special is that it prevents the dish from burning even when cooked for many hours.
Vũ Đại Village Braised Fish - A dish that demands a lot of meticulousness (Source: Collected)
When finished, the clay pot fish has a beautiful brownish-yellow color. When eaten, you will feel the soft fish meat with a rich flavor. This is truly a dish imbued with the rustic flavor of the countryside. So if you have the chance to visit Hà Nam, you must try this dish!
This dish is available for sale all year round and is not difficult to find. But the peak time is during the days approaching Tet. If you have the opportunity to visit Vũ Đại Village during this time, you will see the bustling scene here. Along with the aroma of braised fish spreading from every house in the neighborhood.
Famous Northern Specialty - Squid Sausage from Hạ Long
Squid sausage from Hạ Long is a famous specialty of the North loved by many tourists. This dish is made from fresh giant squids with thick meat. After processing and cleaning, the squids are manually ground to ensure their chewiness and deliciousness. The sausage patties we see are all hand-molded and fried in hot oil.
When finished, the squid sausage has a beautiful golden color. When eaten, you will clearly feel the crispiness of the sausage and the sweetness of the meat. For extra flavor, you can dip it in chili sauce or fish sauce. This seafood dish is very easy to eat, so you can order more to enrich your meal.
If you're in Hạ Long, don't miss out on squid sausage!
Chả mực from Hạ Long originated in 1946 by the talented chef Tài Lễ. Working for a foreign restaurant during the French colonial period, he ingeniously created the delicious squid sausage. This dish has been preserved and cherished by many to this day.
The best way to enjoy this dish is with sticky rice. The fragrant grains of sticky rice perfectly complement the rich flavor of the hot sausage. Even the rice served with squid sausage is often made from the finest Quảng Ninh glutinous rice. This perfect harmony is sure to keep you coming back for more.
Famous Northern Specialty - Green Bean Cakes from Hải Dương
Green bean cakes from Hải Dương are a gift that falls under the category of Northern specialties. While this type of cake may be familiar, Hải Dương cakes possess a distinct flavor. When you bite into it, the cake slowly melts, offering a taste that is both rich and sweet.
Made primarily from sugar, green bean flour, pomelo essential oil... A few small cakes but leaving a lingering taste in the mouth for a long time. The cakes are pressed into small, delicate square blocks. Note that you should handle them gently and with care, as they are very fragile!
This is not only a specialty, but also a childhood snack for many generations (Image source: Collection)
Green bean cakes have been around in Hải Dương since the early 20th century. If you're unsure what to buy as a gift, this cake would be a perfect choice. It's not just a childhood snack or a gift, but also a heartfelt present. The recipient will surely be delighted to receive this gift.
It would be even better if you enjoy the cakes with hot tea. Everyone will have the opportunity to sit together, enjoy the cakes, and engage in lively conversation. Following the rhythm of the stories, the small green bean cakes will gradually melt in the mouth, leaving a sweet taste. Just imagining it already feels like a meaningful bonding moment.
Famous Northern Specialty - Thai Binh Gingerbread Cake
When it comes to famous Northern dishes, one cannot overlook Thai Binh gingerbread cake. If you haven't heard of it before, you might find it somewhat unfamiliar. It's a rustic snack with a distinctive spicy taste of ginger. When you bite into it, you'll experience a unique chewy texture.
According to tradition, this cake first appeared in the 17th century. It was made by a woman in Nguyễn village, Thai Binh. Over time, the recipe for making the cake has been preserved and passed down to this day. This rustic dish, with its rich countryside flavor, surely reminds many people of their childhood.
Thai Binh gingerbread cake has a rather eye-catching appearance (Image source: Collection)
Crafting these cakes is an elaborate process. They are made from ingredients like gac fruit, sesame seeds, glutinous rice, coconut rice, arrowroot starch, peanuts... When finished, they have an appealing color and shape, tempting you to eat them right away.
Bánh cáy pairs perfectly with hot tea. When visiting Thái Bình, you can also buy bánh cáy as a gift for your loved ones. During the Lunar New Year, alongside bánh chưng and bánh dày, bánh cáy is also quite popular. People here often offer these cakes to their ancestors on the altar during Tet.
Famous Northern Specialty - Lang Son Roast Pig
Lang Son Roast Pig is one of the most famous specialties of the Northern region. After careful selection, the pig is roasted whole over charcoal. When the skin becomes crispy, it's delicious to eat. The meat, when eaten, exudes a sweet taste from the characteristic seasoning of mountainous regions.
This is a dish that has been famous in Lang Son for over 100 years. The locals here have preserved and passed down this dish through many generations. So when you visit this land, you can easily find a restaurant serving delicious roast pig. For an even better experience, you can enjoy it with crispy and spicy pickled bamboo shoots.
Roast pig is a famous specialty of Lang Son (Source: Collection)
Pigs selected for roasting must have smooth fur and weigh between 45 and 50 kg. The roasting time can range from 2 to 3 hours depending on the heat of the fire and the weight of the pig. This is considered a common dish in the daily life of Lang Son residents. Not only that, it is also an essential offering during festivals, weddings, and funerals. This reflects a unique cultural aspect of the people of Lang Son.
Famous Northern Specialty - Dried Razor Clams
Razor clams are a rare and precious seafood from the Quan Lan area. Due to their high nutritional value, they are relatively expensive. They are also known as sea ginseng. This seafood is often used for medicinal purposes or food processing. This Northern specialty contains many valuable nutrients.
Many people may find the name unfamiliar at first. They are known as sea worms with a shape resembling earthworms. Razor clams contain a variety of nutrients such as amino acids, glycine, succinic acid... along with many minerals beneficial to the body.
This is a dish that brings many health benefits to humans (Source: Collection)
Razor clams are also known as 'natural seasoning' used in cooking. Dried razor clams add sweetness to broth. They are harvested from the sea, cleaned, and then dried. This is also a favorite ingredient in the medical field due to its many therapeutic properties for humans.
Sá sùng from Quan Lan is the most beloved. This is because the sá sùng here has a sweeter taste and is considered better than elsewhere. If you have the chance to visit this land, don't miss out on this nutritious and exotic dish!
Famous Northern Specialty - Buffalo Meat Hung Above the Kitchen Hearth
Buffalo meat hung above the kitchen hearth is a well-known specialty of the North that you should try if you get the chance. The tender and flavorful buffalo meat, marinated with rich spices, creates a distinctive mountainous flavor. Then, the meat is smoked by hanging it over the kitchen hearth. When enjoying it, you can grill or steam it.
Buffaloes in the Northwest are often allowed to roam freely on plateaus, so their meat is very firm. This dish is also known by other names such as dried buffalo or buffalo jerky. Buffalo meat hung above the kitchen hearth is marinated and processed according to the Northwestern formula, so you won't find this flavor elsewhere.
A delicacy from the highlands of Northwest Vietnam, this dish is beloved by travelers (Source: Collection)
When visiting the Northwest region, you can purchase this unique dish as a gift. Nowadays, the products are carefully packaged and vacuum-sealed, making them convenient for transportation and storage. So, travelers can rest assured when buying souvenirs from this region.
This dish is known as a famous specialty of the Thai ethnic group. They often serve this dish to guests when they visit their homes. Since it is handmade and contains no preservatives, it can be stored for up to a month. Just remember to consume it within this timeframe for optimal freshness!
Famous Northern specialty - Nem Chua from Quang Yen, Quang Ninh
If you're a fan of nem, you can't miss out on Quang Yen's nem chua. This famous dish is known for its savory taste, blending sourness and saltiness with a hint of sweetness from the meat. Making nem chua involves many meticulous steps, all following the traditional secrets of the locals here.
The meat used for nem chua must come from the pork hind leg, without tendons and fat. Pork skin is also chosen from the loin and flank. Then, they are finely ground and mixed with golden roasted rice. Even a small mistake can ruin the deliciousness of this dish.
If you're unsure what souvenir to buy for your loved ones during your trip to Quang Ninh, you might consider this nem (Source: Collection)
After the fermentation process, nem has a distinctive mild sour taste. It's a playful dish, a typical gift representing Quang Ninh that you can give to your family and friends. Just tasting it once will make you remember its flavor forever. Or you can also buy it to enjoy gradually!
Famous Northern Specialty - Vong Village Green Rice Flakes
A specialty of the North that cannot be missed in Hanoi is Vong village green rice flakes. This flat rice flake has a vibrant green color, made from immature glutinous rice grains. The rice flakes are wrapped in fresh green lotus leaves. To fully experience the sweet fragrance of young glutinous rice, you should savor it in small bites.
Vong Village Green Rice Flakes are renowned for their chewy, sweet, and aromatic grains. Many people enjoy eating them with ripe bananas to enhance the fragrance. This dish seems to have become a symbol closely associated with Hanoi's autumn. Therefore, if you want to buy or taste Vong Village Green Rice Flakes, you can only find them in autumn.
A famous dish representing the characteristic of Hanoi's autumn (Source: Collection)
Right from the processing stages, a lot of meticulousness is required. Nowadays, some types of green rice are packed in nylon bags and vacuum-sealed. This helps preserve green rice longer, making it convenient for you to buy as gifts whenever you leave Hanoi. It's truly a simple yet elegant gift full of sincerity.
Famous Northern Specialty - Ninh Binh Mountain Goat
A highly recommended Northern specialty is the Ninh Binh mountain goat. This dish seems to always receive high praise from both domestic and international tourists alike. The reason for this is that the Ninh Binh mountain goat is almost unlike any other goat in any other region.
The reason for this difference is that the Ninh Binh mountain goat is raised freely in the mountainous area. They often climb hills and mountains, so their meat is firm and lean. During their free-range grazing, they eat various natural herbs, including many valuable medicinal plants. From these goats, a variety of unique and delicious dishes can be prepared.
The flavor of Ninh Binh goat meat is unlike that of goats from other regions (Source: Collection)
The limestone karst mountains in Ninh Binh have been around for about 250 million years. That's why there are many types of wild vegetables here. They are often used to accompany goat meat, enhancing the deliciousness of the dish. Ninh Binh goat meat is moderately tender and not too tough. Although it has a distinctive smell, it's not as strong as in other regions.
Two popular dipping sauces when eating Ninh Binh mountain goat are fermented bean paste and ginger fish sauce. Among them, fermented bean paste is preferred for its moderate saltiness, with the aroma of soybeans and yellow flowers. This is truly a Northern delicacy that you cannot miss.
Famous Northern Specialty - Bac Kan Bamboo Rice
Bac Kan Bamboo Rice is also a renowned Northern specialty. The rice is contained within fragrant bamboo tubes, using the sticky rice of the village. The bamboo tubes can be made from bamboo, rattan, or lined with banana leaves. You can enjoy it with various meats, or simply dip it in peanut salt for a delicious taste.
During grilling, the chef continuously rotates the bamboo tubes to ensure the rice is evenly cooked. When the rice is done, you'll smell the aroma of sticky rice blended with bamboo or rattan. There's also a hint of the characteristic kitchen smoke. Bamboo rice isn't an unfamiliar dish, but when enjoyed in Bac Kan, it has a unique flavor.
A rustic dish, imbued with the cultural beauty of Bac Kan (Image Source: Collection)
It's hard to determine when bamboo rice originated. But it was a dish created to serve forest trips of the locals. In the past, such trips would last for several days or even half a month. Therefore, it was convenient to bring along dried foods like rice, salt, dried meat... And then, bamboo rice was not only compact and easy to carry but also an ideal choice.
Famous Northern Specialty - Lang Son Suture
Lang Son Suture might sound quite unfamiliar. However, it's a culinary masterpiece from the border region and a renowned Northern specialty. This is a traditional dish of the Tay and Nung people, with origins from China. Over time, the Tay and Nung people have adapted it to suit their tastes.
This dish consists mainly of pork belly marinated in various ingredients. For example, coriander, five-spice powder, honey, wine... Then, they will be steamed for several hours with taro and soya bean leaves. Thanks to this process, the finished product will have soft, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of meat.
A delicious - unique - exotic dish you must try when visiting Lang Son (Image Source: Collection)
Khau nhuc is often served at special feasts or used to entertain distinguished guests. The name of the dish originates from Chinese and is pronounced and spelled in Vietnamese. When cooked to perfection, the dish emits a delightful aroma, a blend of rich meatiness and distinctive spices.
Famous Northern Specialty - Thai Nguyen Green Tea
Thai Nguyen is renowned for its sprawling tea hills. Thai Nguyen green tea is undoubtedly a remarkable Northern specialty. The aroma and flavor of the tea here are truly unmatched anywhere else in our country. When you take the first sip, you'll sense the bitterness. But hidden behind it is a lingering sweetness.
Thai Nguyen tea is meticulously selected from the early stages to processing to ensure clean, high-quality tea buds full of flavor. After brewing, the tea has a bright yellow color and a refreshing aroma. It's truly a graceful and meaningful gift.
Thai Nguyen tea always holds an irresistible allure for tea enthusiasts (Image Source: Collection)
Surprisingly, the tea trees here originate from Phu Tho. Mr. Nam, known as the founder of the Tan Cuong tea village, brought them to Thai Nguyen. The climate and soil characteristics here are extremely suitable for tea cultivation. From then on, tea cultivation in Thai Nguyen gradually developed and became as famous as it is today.
This beverage contains many health benefits. It helps fight aging, prevents heart disease, obesity, promotes relaxation, and sharpens the mind... If you're a tea lover, the quality of tea here will surely satisfy you.
The Northern specialties mentioned above will make your journey to explore the North more enticing. Enjoying delicious dishes where you stay is an experience not to be missed in your travels. It's one of the quintessences, the characteristic beauty of that land. To book a tour to the Northern region, contact Mytour now via hotline Mytour!
