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Wondering about Ninh Thuan's Delicacies? What to Bring Back as Souvenirs? Find Quality Products at Affordable Prices! The Ultimate Guide to Purchasing the Finest Delicacies from Ninh Thuan awaits you here.
Top 12 Most Delectable Delicacies from Ninh Thuan, Perfect for Gifting
Ninh Thuan isn't just known for being the driest region in the country; it's also renowned for its high-quality produce. From agricultural treasures like onions, garlic, chili, grapes, apples, to exotic seafood offerings such as lamb, goat, beef, and more, the unique soil, and climate here yield exceptional culinary delights.
#1. Garlic Varieties [White Garlic, Lonely Black Garlic, Lonely White Garlic]
Before delving into this ingredient, it's crucial to affirm: “The Garlic Capital of Vietnam is none other than Ninh Thuan.” Hearing this, you might not be overly surprised, for Ninh Thuan is not only known for garlic but also for grapes and purple onions.
Phan Rang's Special Garlic Delicacy
Similar to grapes and purple onions, Ninh Thuan's garlic possesses distinct characteristics. It boasts a mildly pungent aroma, with cloves that aren't overly spicy. Particularly, when used for medicinal wine infusion, the longer the garlic is soaked, the better. For black steamed lonely garlic, the longer it's steamed, the more delicious and beneficial it becomes.
Phan Rang's Black Garlic
To help you distinguish between Ninh Thuan garlic and those from elsewhere, consider two factors. Ninh Thuan garlic has thin, not thick, white skins [with lonely garlic having pink and white skins, cloves of moderate size, about the size of a fingertip]. Ninh Thuan garlic has curved cloves, plump and moist, with a crisp texture, releasing juice when pressed. The taste is not too strong, and it can be peeled and eaten on the spot. Lonely garlic is the same, although it only has a single layer of skin.
#2. Purple Onions
Similar to garlic, purple onions are a favored ingredient originating from Ninh Thuan. Thanks to the advantages of the characteristic sunny and windy climate, the fertile soil is highly suitable for cultivation, producing the most flavorful and fragrant onions. Even before gaining widespread recognition, Ninh Thuan's purple onions have secured a special place in the hearts of homemakers.
Phan Rang's Purple Onions
Currently, there are various types of purple onions available on the market, originating from different places. However, distinguishing a genuine Ninh Thuan product is quite easy. Specifically, Ninh Thuan purple onions have thin skins, with a light purple color rather than a deep hue. When peeled, the pungent aroma can be eye-watering. Especially when sautéed with lard or oil, the fragrance of the onions is intense, detectable from over 15 meters away.
#3. Green Asparagus
Asparagus is a familiar product to many. Typically, there are two types of asparagus: green and white. Among them, white asparagus is cultivated more in provinces in the Northern and Central Highlands regions and the Southern Mekong Delta. However, due to Ninh Thuan's characteristic climate, only green asparagus can be grown here.
Ninh Thuan's Green Asparagus
Compared to white asparagus, green asparagus has higher nutritional content and many health benefits. According to nutrition experts, regular consumption of green asparagus helps prevent various types of cancer, aids digestion, promotes skin beauty, etc. Therefore, a recommendation is to incorporate green asparagus into meals, as it is a beneficial factor for improving the health of family members.
#4. Grape Products
These are the renowned specialties that many people adore. When visiting Ninh Thuan, regardless of the price, one must buy and take home.
Red Grapes from Ninh Thuan
Thuan Thuan grapes are incredibly delicious and unique. In other words, only the climate and soil of Ninh Thuan are suitable for grapevines to thrive and yield the finest grapes.
Green Grapes from Ninh Thuan
In addition to fresh grapes, other popular products such as grape preserves, grape jam, grape wine, grape honey, etc., are suitable for home consumption or as gifts for friends and relatives.
#5. Apples
The close friend of grapes is none other than apples. Where there are grapes, there must be apples. So, what makes Ninh Thuan apples delicious? ... Just like grapes, they're irresistible upon the first bite, and once you've had them, you'll crave them whenever they're not around. Hehe.
Apples are grown in many places. However, Ninh Thuan apples stand out thanks to the characteristic sunny and windy climate and the suitable soil for apple trees to thrive. Ninh Thuan boasts various apple varieties, including elongated apples, round apples, and large-sized round apples [weighing from 300g to 500g].
Green Apples from Ninh Thuan
The appealing aspect of these apples lies in their thin green skin with a subtly sweet taste. The flesh is refreshing and crisp, with small seeds. When eaten fresh, they can be dipped in dried chili salt for extra flavor. They're at their best when washed and chilled in the refrigerator. Apart from fresh apples, apple wine and apple preserves are addictive treats. This is why apples have become a beloved dessert, favored by many.
#6. Bee Propolis
This is the product for health. Bee propolis. You may or may not know about this. Or if you do, you've probably used it and loved it because it's very beneficial for health. Especially when soaked in water, it's convenient to prepare delicious beverages like mixing with orange, lemon, ... or blending smoothies with various fruits and vegetables. If you're looking for a refreshing drink in the summer, bee propolis is the top choice.
#7. Dried Seaweed
For those who are seaweed enthusiasts, let's hear you out. Exploring Ninh Thuan is a must for hardcore fans, so I'll raise my hand first. You know, whenever seaweed is mentioned, Korean instantly comes to mind. Not sure why that is. Probably because Korean seaweed soup is so famous. So, what about Ninh Thuan's dried seaweed? It's equally impressive. Especially for those who are picky eaters but enjoy snacking, this is an addictive treat. So when you're in Ninh Thuan, don't forget to grab some of this.
Dried Seaweed
#8. Crunchy Seaweed Jam
I bet you'll only eat this and hear about it when you're in Ninh Thuan. Locals love this dish. Tourists too.
Mr. Thang's Dried Seaweed Jam, Phan Rang
Speaking of which, crunchy seaweed is a precious gift bestowed by Mother Nature to the coastal area of Ninh Thuan. This type of seaweed is highly beneficial for health when prepared into dishes. Among them, jam is a delicacy made on special occasions or festivals to serve guests. Making this jam is quite meticulous as it goes through several stages, not to mention each person's own method. It's a perfect treat for enjoying with tea or as a dessert.
#9. Sun-Dried Squid
One thing for sure, out of the 63 coastal provinces and municipalities in Vietnam, all of them have sun-dried squid. However, when it comes to the most fragrant and delicious sun-dried squid, it has to be from Ninh Thuan. DO YOU KNOW WHY? ... It's simple, really. Among Vietnam's coastal provinces and municipalities, Ninh Thuan has the saltiest sea and the bluest water. What's more, Ninh Thuan's sea is a tide-influenced sea (meaning water rises to the surface), a phenomenon found in only a few coastal countries worldwide.
Ninh Thuan's Sun-Dried Squid
As a result of these factors, the marine flora and fauna in Ninh Thuan's coastal areas are quite different from other fishing grounds. The flesh of various fish, shrimp, squid, oysters, crabs, and lobsters, thanks to living in a clean environment with many distinctive factors, has a sweet and fragrant taste when cooked. That's also why squid from Ninh Thuan's sea is tastier and more fragrant than those from other fishing grounds.
#10. Fish Cake
This dish, let me tell you. You probably have to come to Phan Rang to try the fish cake noodle soup first to truly appreciate it. It's delicious, folks. The important thing is that fish cakes in Ninh Thuan are made entirely from fresh fish. No mixing with flour and chemicals to make the cake chewy. What's more special is that the ingredients that make the cake fragrant and delicious when cooked are shallots and garlic.
Fish Cake from Phan Rang
#11. Goat Meat
While the North is famous for mountain goats from Ninh Binh, the South is renowned for free-range goats from Ninh Thuan. Did you know, to have goat meat with origins from Ninh Thuan, it's not just about cooking with shallots, garlic, ginger, chili, lemongrass, etc. It must be accompanied by 'xao dong' leaves, a distinctive leaf of the sunny land with a very fragrant aroma, capable of eliminating the smell of fresh goat meat and enhancing the fragrance of the dish. This is something few people know if they haven't tried it before.
Specialty Fresh Goat Meat from Ninh Thuan
#12. Lamb Meat
Similar to goat meat, lamb meat is a favored ingredient. However, lamb meat is more difficult to cook than goat meat, but it's considered tastier. Lamb meat is often prepared in various dishes, but in Ninh Thuan, the most popular dish is still stir-fried with 'xao dong' leaves; grilled with honey and served with green asparagus, ...
Specialty Lamb from Ninh Thuan
Above are the top 12 delicious and quality specialties of Ninh Thuan that you can buy as gifts for your loved ones. Typically, these specialties are sold in abundance at famous destinations in Ninh Thuan, especially in the Thai An grape village. Therefore, you can buy them while exploring and experiencing the places you visit.
Posted by: Tran Truong
Keywords: Ninh Thuan specialties for gifting: [EXPERT TIPS FOR QUALITY PURCHASE]
