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Phú Thọ isn't just the ancestral land of the Hùng Kings but also a tourist magnet with its majestic landscapes and rich, flavorful local cuisine. Let's explore the top 17 delicacies of Phú Thọ that you shouldn't miss when traveling!
Main Highlights
1. Indulge in Phú Thọ's Signature Delicacies
Sour Meat Delight
Sour meat, a renowned delicacy of the Mường people in Phú Thọ, boasts a distinct flavor that sets it apart from other dishes. Made from pork belly and lean meat, it undergoes a special fermentation process unique to the Mường ethnic group.
Photo: Collected
Arguably the finest sour meat in Phú Thọ hails from Thanh Sơn region. Here, pigs are raised on a diet of vegetables and wild fruits, resulting in tender, sweet meat without any greasiness. To savor the authentic taste, enjoy it with fresh herbs like ginseng leaves and waterleaf, accompanied by spicy chili sauce. Sour meat also makes for an ideal appetizer alongside chilled beer.
Taro Leaves
While taro root dishes may be familiar to many, taro leaves in Phú Thọ are a hidden gem. These leaves are harvested, crushed, and soaked in water to remove excess sap. Then, they're mixed with salt, seasoned, and left to ferment for 4-5 days.
Photo: Collection
Phú Thọ's specialty taro leaves are enjoyed similarly to pickled cucumbers or tomatoes, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Additionally, locals use taro leaves to cook wild carp soup. The tangy flavor of the leaves pairs excellently with the rich taste of wild carp.
Tiny Tuber Delight
Cọ ỏm is a small, round tuber with a soft, chewy interior. Among them, the sweet cọ nếp variety is the most beloved. It would be a shame to visit this land without trying Phú Thọ's specialty.
Photo: Collected
Preparing cọ ỏm is quite simple. Just boil them in water for about 10 minutes, then they're ready to enjoy. Additionally, locals here also make pickled cọ, which has a slightly bitter and salty taste, similar to pickled cucumbers or tomatoes, to accompany main dishes.
Leaf-Wrapped Rice Ball
In the land of Phù Điêu, Phú Thọ is renowned for products made from cọ, such as cọ mats, cọ conical hats, and one delicacy stands out: leaf-wrapped rice ball. Despite its simple preparation, this dish has captured the hearts of many from the first taste.
Photo: Collection
This unique rice ball uses cooked rice molded into round shapes. After molding, the rice balls are rolled in cọ leaves. The leaves chosen are short, waist-high, and still young. Leaf-wrapped rice balls are best enjoyed with sesame salt or lemongrass salt and crispy salted pork ribs.
Banana Porridge
Banana porridge is a Phú Thọ specialty passed down through generations. It's often enjoyed on occasions like weddings, festivals, and even during vegetarian ceremonies. Made from green bananas, simmered with bones, pig's trotters, and fermented bean paste.
Photo: Collection
Banana porridge delivers an unforgettable taste experience with its sweet flavor from the bones, the soft texture of green bananas, and the rich taste of fermented bean paste. Visit Vĩnh Tề village in Cao Xá commune for the most authentic banana porridge.
Stone Moss
Stone moss typically grows in areas near rivers and streams and in damp, low-lying areas. When harvesting stone moss, people must thoroughly wash it to remove the outer slimy layer.
Photo: Collection
One of the most famous and beloved dishes made from stone moss is grilled stone moss. The moss is mixed with thinly sliced garlic, seasoned, then wrapped in papaya leaves and grilled. The flavor of the stone moss combines with the sweet and savory taste of garlic, creating a uniquely delicious dish.
Pickled Lime Fish Stew
The trám root (including sour and black trám) is often grown extensively in Phú Thọ and harvested around the 5th or 6th lunar month. Pickled lime fish stew has long been a specialty of Phú Thọ, favored by many tourists.
Photo: Collection
The flavor of the fish and soy sauce when stewed will seep into the trám, reducing its sourness and enhancing its sweetness and richness. On cold winter days, nothing beats a steaming bowl of rice accompanied by a pot of rich pickled lime fish stew.
Pig's Ear Cake
Pig's ear cake, also known as pig's ear cake, is a type of cake that is extremely simple to make but highly sought after in Phú Thọ. The cake has a curved, elongated shape resembling a pig's ear, hence its name.
Photo: @yen_bju
The ingredients for making pig's ear cake include brown rice, pork, and a few simple spices. Brown rice is ground into a fine powder and mixed with water to form a batter. The pork is marinated with various spices, wrapped in the brown rice mixture, and then steamed. This yields the delicious specialty of Phú Thọ, the pig's ear cake.
Cock's Crow Glutinous Rice
This is a unique specialty of Phú Thọ that impresses many with its distinctive name. It is made from glutinous rice grown in an area mixed with sand and water sourced from stream beds. Therefore, when you eat it, you will experience the natural flavor of rice and its irresistibly chewy texture.
Photo: Collection
Cassava Cake
Steamed Cassava Cake is a rustic specialty of Phú Thọ. The ingredients for this dish include cassava flour, pork, green beans, wood ear mushrooms, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked. The rich, fragrant aroma of the ingredients makes this simple dish irresistibly delicious.
Photo: @huongnguyen9090
Nẳng Cake
This is one of the meticulously crafted specialties of Phú Thọ. The people of Dòng village have to climb the hills to cut various types of trees such as wind trees, wild grass, and bamboo, which are then burned to ash. The ash water is carefully filtered and soaked with glutinous rice.
Photo: Collection
After soaking, the rice is drained and wrapped in fresh dong leaves. These elongated nẳng cakes are carefully tied with string and boiled until soft and smooth, with a golden color akin to honey.
Lâm Lợi Steamed Rolls
Lâm Hợi Steamed Rolls is a renowned specialty brand of Phú Thọ that greatly attracts tourists. The hot plate of rolls is served with sweet and sour fish sauce, accompanied by grilled meatballs, fresh and quality vegetables.
Photo: @yummydanang
Hong Hac Tri
Hong Hac Tri, with its unique flavor, is always a proud specialty of Phú Thọ locals. This rare fruit was once offered as tribute to the Hung Kings. Today, it has become a nationally recognized brand.
Photo: Collection
What sets Hong Hac Tri apart is its seedless fruit, ripe with a vibrant yellow hue, with flesh that's golden and crispy, boasting a sweet taste. The Mid-Autumn Festival is the time for harvesting ripe Hong Hac Tri fruits here.
2. Top Phú Thọ specialties to buy as gifts
Thính Fish
Thính fish is fermented with corn and salt. It's considered the 'reserve' of Phú Thọ locals due to its distinctive flavor. Thính fish is usually produced most in October and November as this is when the fish are most abundant. If stored correctly, thính fish can last for many years, making it one of the most popular Phú Thọ specialties chosen as gifts.
Photo: Collection
Doan Hung Pomelo
Doan Hung Pomelo has made a name for itself with its sweet and refreshing flavor. It has a flat spherical shape, thin peel, and when ripe, it turns bright yellow. The juicy segments of the pomelo are white, sweet, and refreshing. Buying pomelos as gifts is also a good suggestion.
Photo: Collection
Hung Lo Rice Noodles
When it comes to Phú Thọ specialties for gifts, one cannot overlook the rustic dish of Hung Lo rice noodles. Handcrafted with a blend of modern technology, the noodles here create clean, small, and delightfully chewy strands.
Photo: Collection
Phú Thọ Sweet Soup
Phú Thọ offers a variety of specialty desserts, including black bean sweet soup, green bean sweet soup, aromatic grilled sweet soup, Lipton sweet soup, and oolong tea sweet soup. These sweet soups are Phú Thọ's specialties, exported to many countries, so you can trust their quality!
Photo: Collection
Here are 17 specialties from Phú Thọ that Digi suggests for you to enjoy or buy as gifts on your trip. Wishing you a wonderful experience in this ancestral land!
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Posted by: Tùng Trương
Keywords: Must-Try Top 17 Specialties of Phú Thọ
