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Discover the enchanting culinary culture of Ninh Binh, a land adorned with both natural beauty and rich gastronomic heritage. Let's explore and see if you've savored all the following delicacies.
List of Traditional Ninh Binh Dishes You Must Try
This curated Ninh Binh dining guide will add zest to your culinary journey. Take note of some renowned Ninh Binh specialties.
1. Ninh Binh Mountain Goat
Raised on the mountainous terrain, Ninh Binh goat meat is firm and resilient, making it a must-try for visitors. The goat meat here is transformed into various delectable dishes, such as goat spring rolls, steamed goat, grilled goat, and the renowned goat with ginger - a highly nutritious delicacy. Many believe that goat meat has medicinal properties, so when in Ninh Binh, don't miss the chance to savor the fame of mountain goat meat.
Where to Enjoy Ninh Binh Mountain Goat:
- Mountain Goat Restaurant Ninh Binh – Cuong De: Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
- Mountain Goat Ninh Binh – Thang Long: Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An, and Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
- Hoang Giang Mountain Goat Restaurant: Hang Ca Mountain, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu
- Duc De Restaurant: 446 Nguyen Hue Street, Ninh Binh City
2. Grilled Banana Fish in Ninh Binh
This special type of banana fish thrives in water-filled caves, renowned as a delicacy that can captivate the taste buds of culinary enthusiasts.
With its slender body and delicious flesh, the banana fish, when grilled over a charcoal stove, is topped with fragrant fried onions and onion oil. This dish is often served in small plates, accompanied by a bit of vermicelli and fresh herbs, along with roasted peanuts and flavorful dipping sauce—it's a culinary delight.
Where to Taste Delicious Grilled Banana Fish in Ninh Binh:
- Van Long Stilt House - Gia Van, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh
3. Grilled Fish with Straw in Ninh Binh
A dish of 'countryside aroma' during the Ninh Binh harvest season that enchants many locals. The simple yet rich flavor has embedded itself deep in the hearts of the people of Ninh Binh. Across the Vietnamese countryside, each place possesses a unique specialty to carve a lasting memory. If you visit Ninh Binh, embark on colorful journeys in Trang An, Tam Coc, explore Bai Dinh Pagoda, or the ancient stone church. And when you bring along some straw-grilled fish, a local delicacy, as a gift to enjoy, there's nothing more wonderful!
4. Ninh Binh Goat Spring Rolls
As an essence of the ancient capital's cuisine, Ninh Binh goat spring rolls impress not only with the sour taste of the meat and the crunchiness of the crispy rice paper but also carry a distinctive and unmatched flavor.
A part of that unique flavor comes from the goats being freely grazed on the mountains, feeding on natural grass, including various medicinal herbs. Thanks to this natural diet, the goat meat becomes firm, lean, tender, and chewy, bringing the distinctive herbal flavor that cannot be found elsewhere.
5. Crispy Bee Larvae in Ninh Binh
A unique dish on the Ninh Binh culinary map, crispy bee larvae is a distinctive insect specialty from the Cuc Phuong mountainous forest in Nho Quan district. The process of preparing crispy bee larvae begins with collecting nests from the forest bees and carefully selecting eggs and small bee larvae inside the nests. Then, the bee larvae are processed into enticing specialty dishes. Typically, crispy bee larvae are stir-fried or deep-fried, then wrapped in betel leaves and aromatic herbs, offering diners the rich flavor of the mountainous forest.
6. Ninh Binh Soup Vermicelli
Famous for its 'super-sized' vermicelli, Ninh Binh soup vermicelli is sure to delight you on this food tour. You may have tried many types of soup vermicelli, but Ninh Binh soup vermicelli will provide you with a completely different experience. Fresh morning glory and clear broth underneath create freshness and softness for the vermicelli. If you like, you can also order dried shrimp, pork sausage, or other spices like pickled leeks to make the dish more appealing and flavorful. When enjoying, mix all the ingredients together, add a bit of vinegar and chili to create the characteristic sour and spicy flavor, bringing a unique and delicious sensation.
Best Places for Delicious Soup Vermicelli in Ninh Binh:
- Cu Ty Soup Vermicelli: 8 Alley 75 Luong Van Tuy, Tan Thanh, Ninh Binh
- Soup Vermicelli: Alley 75, Luong Van Tuy Street, near the gate of Luong Van Tuy School, Tan Thanh Ward, Ninh Binh City
7. Ant Egg Sticky Rice in Ninh Binh
Many people mistakenly believe that dishes made from ant eggs are only found in the northern mountainous regions, but right in Ninh Binh, there's a specialty dish made from ant eggs called ant egg sticky rice. The ant eggs in Ninh Binh originate from the limestone mountains in Nho Quan. Locals bring back young ant eggs, clean them, marinate with spices, and finally stir-fry until well-cooked. This dish, combined with sticky rice and added dry onions, offers an exceptionally unique and enticing flavor.
8. Ninh Binh Mudfish Salad
Ninh Binh specialty - Mudfish salad is a delicious and famous dish for the locals in Kim Son - Ninh Binh. The salad is delicately and skillfully processed, going through multiple stages to remove the fishy smell and achieve a sweet taste mingled with the aroma of glutinous rice. The dipping sauce specifically made for the salad is not simple either, with a perfect combination of spiciness from chili, lemongrass, and pepper. This sophistication will make tourists remember a lifetime after trying it once!
Where to Eat the 'Best' Mudfish Salad in Ninh Binh?
- Tinh Goi Restaurant: 248 Ngo Gia Tu, Van Gia, Ninh Binh
- Vu Bao Restaurant: 6A, Phat Diem Dong Street, Phat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Phat Diem Township, Kim Son, Ninh Binh
- Goi Nhech Eatery: Ngo Gia Tu, Van Gia, Ninh Binh
9. Ninh Binh Mọc Vermicelli
While vermicelli mọc might not be an unfamiliar dish, it certainly possesses a distinct regional flavor everywhere from the North to the South. In Ninh Binh, you should not miss the chance to try this dish. The rich, fragrant broth with a hint of Moc Nhi mushrooms, pork, spring onions, lemongrass, and fresh chili will undoubtedly provide a unique and delightful experience!
Where to Enjoy Tasty Mọc Vermicelli in Ninh Binh:
- Tố Như Vermicelli: National Highway 10, Kim Son, Ninh Binh
10. Ninh Binh Braised Gao Fish
Braised Gao fish is one of the unique and regional dishes in Ninh Binh. Gao is a type of tree with fruit growing in areas along rivers, streams, or in caves, and besides being used for cooking, it can also be used as medicine. The Gao fruit is processed very uniquely, where it is sliced small and placed at the bottom of the pot before putting the fish on top and covering it with a layer of thinly sliced Gao on top. The dish's flavor is not fixed as it depends on the taste of the Gao fruit at different times, resulting in the braised fish being slightly sour or slightly bitter. This Ninh Binh specialty will be intriguing, enhancing your taste buds with its attractive color and the distinctive sour taste of Gao.
Enjoy Authentic Braised Gao Fish At:
- Huong Que Restaurant: 05 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan Thanh Ward, Ninh Binh City
- Thang Long Restaurant: Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
11. Ninh Binh Savory Pancakes
Still the familiar crispy golden pancakes! But wait, in Ninh Binh, they come with a slight twist – served with hot and fragrant grilled nem. First, wet the rice paper, add large mustard greens, add the pancake, and the grilled nem, then roll it up. Enjoy it with a flavorful dipping sauce and pickled vegetables to stimulate your taste buds. Anyone who tries Ninh Binh pancakes will be enchanted and forever remember the impressive taste of this Ninh Binh delicacy!
12. Eel Vermicelli
Eel vermicelli is another exquisite dish you can't miss when exploring Ninh Binh's cuisine. The eel here is rice field eel with a pinkish-brown back and a dark yellow belly. Although smaller than regular eels, the meat is firm and incredibly fragrant. Eel vermicelli is served with thinly sliced banana flowers to create an irresistibly refreshing taste.
Best Place for Delicious Eel Vermicelli in Ninh Binh:
- Eel vermicelli Mrs. Phan: 999 Tran Hung Dao, Thanh Binh, Ninh Binh
13. Grilled Field Crab with Wild Betel Leaf
Just hearing the name of this dish evokes in the minds of travelers the imagination of a homely and rustic flavor. Field crab is grilled to perfection with the fragrance of wild betel leaves. Although this specialty of Ninh Binh is prepared quite simply, it leaves a lasting impression on tourists due to its captivating taste and the significance that this type of ingredient brings. Grilled field crab with wild betel leaf from the ancient land of Hoa Lu takes you back to a nostalgic Vietnam of the past.
14. Ninh Binh Mountain Snails
You may have tried all kinds of river and sea snails, but have you ever savored the specialty of Ninh Binh - mountain snails? These snails inhabit limestone caves, especially in the Tam Diep, Yen Mo, Nho Quan, and Hoa Lu limestone ranges. It's not easy to catch mountain snails as they only come out of the caves from April to August.
What makes mountain snails so special compared to other types that captivate travelers? The key here is the flavor. Mountain snails have a sweet, crisp, and subtly herbal taste. They are of a moderate size, suitable for various delicious dishes such as stir-frying with tamarind, steaming with ginger, boiling, making salads, and more. With this irresistibly enticing flavor, just a bowl of gently tangy steamed snails is enough to make you swoon.
Best Places for Delicious Snails in Ninh Binh:
- Thang Long Restaurant: Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
- Van Bao Ngoc Restaurant: 86 Luong Van Tuy, Tan Thanh, Ninh Binh
- Quoc Quan Restaurant: Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
15. Bun Cha Quat Ninh Binh
When it comes to Ninh Binh tourism, how can one overlook the flavorful bun cha quat? People often say that to enjoy a delicious bowl of bun cha quat, one must return to the ancient land of Cố Đô, as the cooking style here is completely different from other regions.
The uniqueness lies entirely in the cha (grilled pork). While Hanoi's bun cha uses pork patties made from pork belly, Ninh Binh's specialty uses minced and seasoned meat grilled as a whole piece on an iron plate. The cha is slightly charred and golden but not dry, emanating an incredibly alluring aroma.
Bun cha quat is served with sliced leafy bun, not the usual type. The accompanying dipping sauce is sweet and sour, paired with crunchy pickled vegetables, creating a distinctive experience compared to Hanoi-style cha.
Best Place for Delicious Bun Cha Quat in Ninh Binh:
- Bun cha quat: 921 Nguyen Cong Tru, Bich Trung, Ninh Binh
16. Specialty Sweet Treat in Ninh Binh - Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes
If you have a sweet tooth, why wait? Try the specialty sweet treat of Ninh Binh - sweet glutinous rice cakes. While still a traditional rice cake made from glutinous rice flour, Ninh Binh's version takes on a unique twist by combining it with honey, finely crushed dry peanuts, and the aromatic chrysanthemum leaves - an herbal ingredient with various health benefits.
After finely chopping and marinating chrysanthemum leaves with honey for half an hour, they are mixed with crushed peanuts to become the filling for the cakes. The cakes have a subtle fragrance, not overly sweet. When boiling the cakes, a few chrysanthemum leaves and grapefruit blossoms are added to enhance the flavor. The round glutinous rice cakes exude a gentle fragrance of chrysanthemum leaves and the slightly nutty taste of peanuts, captivating the refined palates of travelers.
17. Ninh Binh's Famous Carp Rice Crackers
Another traditional delicacy of Ninh Binh that you must try when visiting is the renowned Carp Rice Crackers. In the outskirts of the rice fields and ponds in Ninh Binh, there are numerous carp fish, and the locals have ingeniously turned them into this incredibly enticing dish.
The carp meat is meticulously deboned, mixed with spices such as salt and pepper, and marinated with dried shallots for a rich aroma. A bowl of Ninh Binh's carp noodle soup is served with vegetables and fish sausage. The carp rice crackers are easy to eat and digest, with the tender and sweet carp meat complementing the freshness of the vegetables, creating a unique flavor exclusive to Ninh Binh. If you visit here and miss out on the carp rice crackers, it would be a significant omission.
18. Ninh Binh's Mixed Rice Paper Salad
While wandering through eateries in Ninh Binh, you will undoubtedly be captivated by Ninh Binh's mixed rice paper salad. This mixed rice paper is considered a 'national' snack loved by people of all ages. Ninh Binh's mixed rice paper salad has its distinctive features, from the rice paper to the mixed spices. Try it and let Klook know your impressions of this mixed rice paper salad, what sets it apart from the region you're living in. You're sure to be pleasantly surprised.
Specialties from Ninh Binh You Should Bring Home as Gifts
After exploring most of Ninh Binh's on-the-spot specialties in the above section, let's choose from the selection of long-lasting specialties that you can bring back as gifts for your family and friends!
19. Kim Son Glutinous Rice Wine
Kim Son wine is crafted from a special glutinous rice variety in the Kim Son wetland area, known as yellow flower glutinous rice. Through meticulous fermentation and aging with 36 traditional herbs, Kim Son wine carries a distinctive aroma and a clear color. This is not just a unique specialty but also offers numerous health benefits you might not be aware of.
20. Ninh Binh Tiny Shrimp Sauce
For those passionate about shrimp paste, what could be better than savoring Ninh Binh tiny shrimp sauce, also known as Gia Vien shrimp paste. This can be considered a dish with a unique touch in the culinary culture of the ancient capital. You should not miss this specialty gift as it undoubtedly won't disappoint you. Despite numerous brands producing tiny shrimp sauce on the market, Gia Vien shrimp paste still holds a unique appeal. To create a delicious batch of shrimp paste, the maker meticulously selects each high-quality shrimp in the Gia Vien wetland area. It is entirely handmade but ensures hygiene, so you don't need to worry about the quality.
Tiny shrimp sauce is produced throughout the year but is considered the most delicious in winter as it reaches the suitable temperature, making the fermentation process much more favorable. The resulting batch of shrimp paste has the characteristic red color and an incredibly delicious aroma, making it easy to enjoy.
With just a jar of tiny shrimp sauce, you can prepare and use it in various ways, such as stir-fried meat with tiny shrimp sauce or as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables and boiled meat. Tiny shrimp sauce from Ninh Binh is currently produced in the Gia Vien district of Ninh Binh, so if you want to buy it, make sure to visit this area!
21. Ninh Binh Crispy Rice
When mentioning Ninh Binh specialties, one cannot overlook the delicious aroma of crispy rice with shredded pork. What makes this dish special is the meticulous preparation in each step. Crispy rice is made from high-quality rice, cooked until it reaches the perfect crispiness.
The uniqueness of Ninh Binh crispy rice lies in the large crispy rice layer at the bottom of the pot, which is sun-dried and then deep-fried in oil to make the rice grains swell and become crispy. Instead of marinating it with many spices, a unique sweet and flavorful sauce made from goat meat is prepared to accompany it.
You can find crispy rice anywhere in Ninh Binh and at famous landmarks such as Bai Dinh, Trang An, Hoa Lu, either for on-the-spot consumption or as a gift to take home.
22. Gao Fruit
Gao Fruit is a unique fruit found only in Ninh Binh, growing abundantly in streams and hills, used for fish preservation and sour soup. Gao Fruit has a mild sour taste and a refreshing nature; when cooked with fish, it neutralizes the fishy smell, making the meat sweeter, tender, and more delicious. Gao Fruit is reasonably priced, making it suitable for personal consumption or as a valuable gift.
23. Ninh Binh Dried Specialties
Ninh Binh offers a variety of dried fish specialties with delightful aromas, available at local traditional markets. The diversity of Ninh Binh's dried specialties is unique to the region, making them ideal gifts due to their long shelf life.
24. Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls
When people think of fermented pork rolls, places like Thanh Hoa and Lai Vung often come to mind, renowned for their delicious and flavorful nem. However, when visiting Ninh Binh, don't miss the chance to savor the unique Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls. Originating from the daughter of the high-ranking official Pham Thuan Duat, Pham Thi Thu Sang, Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls were created based on the recipe of the imperial nem from Hue.
Yen Mac Fermented Pork Rolls are made from the pork butt, thinly sliced instead of finely ground like other types of nem. The meat is not pre-cooked. Only lean meat without fat is used, and the pork skin is boiled. The mixture, along with seasoning and salt, is wrapped in guava and banana leaves to enhance the flavor and beauty of the dish.
The best way to enjoy Nem Chua Yen Mac is by pairing it with various leaves such as bauhinia, apricot, and ginseng, creating a harmonious and delicious combination with the traditional flavors of the homeland. Whether eaten immediately or stored for a while, the nem remains fresh with a vibrant pink hue from the pork.
25. Nho Quan Can Wine
In addition to the diversity of traditional dishes in Ninh Binh, the renowned Nho Quan Can Wine is loved far and wide by gentlemen. Nho Quan Can Wine is a type of wine from the Muong people living in the land of Nho Quan. What makes this wine special is that it doesn't require distillation like other common types of wine.
The ingredients for making can wine include rice, sweet potatoes, glutinous rice, or regular rice to be ground and cooked. However, the unique aspect is the selection of the yeast for the wine. The wine yeast is made from various fruits, tubers, and forest leaves, commonly mun tree, guava leaves, galangal, ginger, etc., mashed and mixed with pre-ground rice flour. After a period of fermentation, the wine develops a moderate alcohol content, leaving the drinker immersed in its flavor without becoming overly intoxicating.
To enjoy the wine, one must use the stems of bamboo inserted into the wine jar for drinking. When visiting Nho Quan, you can purchase a small set from a local store for the whole family to savor. Besides Nho Quan Can Wine, there are other famous Ninh Binh wines such as Kim Son Ninh Binh Wine, Lai Thanh Wine, and more.
After perusing the list of Ninh Binh specialties here, #teamKlook is eager to choose a Ninh Binh sightseeing tour to indulge in all the offerings here. Ready to explore and savor every dish?
A myriad of tours to Bai Dinh, Trang An, Hoa Lu await your exploration. Quickly book a tour or Limousine tickets on Klook Vietnam to enjoy a complete holiday filled with exciting experiences. Don't miss out on interesting articles about Ninh Binh travel on Klook Vietnam's Blog: Mua Cave Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Attractive Destinations, Trang An Ninh Binh Travel Experience, Ninh Binh 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary From Hanoi, Ninh Binh 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary From Hanoi...
An exciting journey paired with the delectable specialties of Ninh Binh, a delight that can be sensed just by hearing about it.
