Discover the culinary wonders of Vinh Phuc with these top 7 mouthwatering dishes.

The flatlands of North Vietnam boast a rich culinary heritage, and Vinh Phuc province contributes significantly with its array of famous specialties. Let's explore 8 must-try dishes when visiting Vinh Phuc.

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Vinh Phuc with these top 7 culinary delights.

Lap Thach Sour Fish

Lap Thach sour fish, also known as pickled sour fish, is a time-honored dish in the lowlands of Lap Thach, Vinh Phuc. The fish used for pickling must be fresh water fish with scales. The pickling mixture is made from ground and crushed corn, which helps to enhance the fish's aroma and absorb excess moisture, resulting in a firm texture.

After stuffing the fish with salt, it is thoroughly rinsed to remove excess salt. The corn mixture is evenly spread over each piece of fish. Each fish is then wrapped in layers of guava leaves along with the corn mixture, with an extra thick layer of corn spread on top. The fish is then pickled for a period ranging from 6 months to 1 year, ensuring that the corn flavor permeates evenly and intensifies.

Ants-infused rare beef

To make this dish, the Vinh Phuc locals cut slices of freshly slaughtered beef and hang them near ant nests for ants to infuse their flavors onto the meat. Red ants have a sour fragrance, black ants have a dark aroma, weaver ants offer a sweet and spicy taste, while leafcutter ants provide a hint of bitterness.

The meat pieces are then brought back, rinsed in diluted saltwater, and grilled over charcoal. To prevent burning while ensuring even cooking, the meat must be flipped quickly. Ants-infused beef is served with a dipping sauce made from corn and soybeans, mixed with sugar, ginger strips, and accompanied by water celery, fragrant herbs, sour starfruits, and bitter bananas.

Tam Dao's Bottle Gourd

Several decades ago, residents of Tam Dao planted bottle gourds in their yards for consumption and sale. With Tam Dao's growing popularity, the demand for bottle gourds surged, leading locals to innovate with dishes like stuffed bottle gourd to enthrall diners. Bottle gourd can be prepared in various ways such as boiled, stir-fried, or cooked with meat. Visitors to Tam Dao for relaxation cannot miss this specialty, enjoying it on-site or purchasing it as a gift.

Tay Dinh's Pillow Cake

Tây Đình Sunshine Cakes, also known as Sun Cakes, derive their name from the radiant golden hue they take on when fully baked. These elongated cakes symbolize the harmony between yin and yang, making them indispensable delicacies on the dining tables of Vinh Phuc.

Crafted from simple ingredients such as fragrant rice, lime water, charcoal powder (made from the ashes of dried sesame stalks, cassava stems, and elephant grass), pandan leaves, and the essential sugarcane molasses.

Tứ Yên Braised Sweet Soup

Tứ Yên Braised Sweet Soup was a favorite among the soldiers of King Ly Nam De in ancient times. This rustic dish is entirely made from green beans, so the selection of beans plays a crucial role in its flavor.

Soak the green beans in water for half a day until soft, then boil until cooked, mash them, and mix with sugar water before simmering over low heat. Stir evenly with two chopsticks while simmering. When the sweet soup is cooked, add pomelo blossom essence and ladle the soup into bowls, garnishing with white sesame on top.

Vĩnh Tường Honeycomb Cake

When making glutinous rice cakes, opt for high-quality sticky rice. Soak and grind the rice into flour. Ensure the flour is not too wet or too dry. Shape the dough into small balls resembling plums. Dilute honey with water to avoid excessive sweetness and stickiness.

Bring the honey water to a boil before gently placing each cake in to prevent sticking. Maintain moderate heat until the cakes turn translucent. Serve the cakes on a plate, drizzle with the boiled honey water, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. These cakes can last a week and only need to be reheated until soft when eaten.

Tam Dương Pineapple

Tam Dương is renowned for its abundant pineapple cultivation in Vĩnh Phúc Province. Here, you'll find various delicious pineapple varieties, such as juicy and sweet pineapples, slightly acidic fat yellow-fleshed pineapples, and petite 'Scout Pineapples' with crispy flesh and a mildly tangy taste. Visitors to Tam Dương can indulge in unlimited pineapple delights.

Pineapples can be peeled entirely, leaving only the eyes and flesh outside to prevent tongue irritation. Alternatively, smack the pineapple against the base of a tree while rotating to extract the pineapple juice, then use a knife to carve a hole to savor that essence of pure juice.

 According to Mytour

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