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What secret culinary delights does Quang Ninh hold to captivate tourists?
Discover the unique flavors of Quang Ninh through indulging in 10 specialties that will leave a lasting impression on your palate.
This question lingered in my mind before I set foot in this region. Danang, Hue boast banh beo and bun mam nem, Hoi An offers cao lau, Can Tho serves up hu tieu, and Hanoi is famous for bun dau mam tom. But what about Quang Ninh?
Yet, instead of just one answer, there were ten delicious explanations that mesmerized me and many other travelers, evoking fond memories of this region. If you've never visited Quang Ninh, here are 10 specialties to entice you to this destination.
Squid cake - Halong Market 1
Exploring Quang Ninh for the first time, I couldn't resist trying the renowned squid cake from Ha Long, driven by curiosity to taste the flavor of a dish ranked in the top 10 in Asia. And then I discovered...
The Ha Long squid cake truly deserves its prestigious ranking. The golden, evenly cooked pieces exude a natural fragrance, with a rich, sweet, savory flavor, packed with oceanic goodness and a fresh, chewy texture, interspersed with crispy bits of squid tentacles and tendrils. It provides diners with a unique and captivating experience, making food enthusiasts like myself want to indulge endlessly.
Squid Cake Rolls – near Bach Dang Theater
Strolling near Bach Dang Theater, my local friend unexpectedly took me to a squid cake roll stall for dinner. I was familiar with rice cake rolls but had never tasted authentic Ha Long squid cake rolls. I wondered how these two dishes would complement each other.
The rice cake rolls, delicately wrapped around minced meat, mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms, exuded the fragrant aroma of dried shrimp and fried shallots. Topped with a crispy, golden-brown squid cake, dipped into a bowl of shimmering amber-colored dipping sauce with a hint of red chili... that's the ultimate way to savor squid cake rolls. That night, I was completely enchanted by the exquisite combination of familiar rice cake rolls with authentic Ha Long squid cake – flavorful, rustic, and irresistible.
Sam Quang Yen – 25th April Street
I have a peculiar habit; whenever I hear of a dish with an unusual name, I'm irresistibly drawn to taste it. Perhaps it's fate that leads me to discover delectable dishes from all corners of the country, including the 'nodding cake' in Tien Yen town.
In truth, the 'nodding cake' bears a resemblance to rolled cake, both made from fine rice flour soaked in water beforehand. However, for the 'nodding cake,' a bit of leftover rice is added to enhance its flavor. When eaten, simply dip the cake into a special dipping sauce alongside a piece of well-marinated 'khau nhuc' (braised pork belly).
This dish evokes a gentle, rustic sensation with its cool, soft texture of the cake, combined with the sweet, savory, aromatic, and rich flavors of the marinated pork that gradually envelop the palate, leaving a lasting impression on the mind.
Bun be be - Cau Trang
Sourcing fresh ingredients from the Quang Ninh sea - renowned for its exceptionally tasty 'be be' (clam worm), the 'bun be be' at Cau Trang is unequivocally the best place to savor this delicacy on Earth.
Alongside various other ingredients like sweet cabbage, crunchy shrimp, dried onions, scallions, cilantro, tomatoes, chili, the broth consists of meticulously filtered clam broth and bone marrow broth. 'Bun be be' boasts a rich, spicy, sweet, and tangy flavor profile. However, the highlight atop the bowl of noodles remains the well-prepared 'be be,' with firm and flavorful meat, adding a delightful touch to the dish.
Tài Lồng Cake from Cẩm Phả, Vân Đồn Area
A specialty of the Sán Dìu people living in Quảng Ninh, Tài Lồng Cake appears deceptively simple, resembling the texture of 'bánh bò thốt nốt' from the Mekong Delta but with a slightly darker hue.
Crafted meticulously with sticky rice flour, brown sugar, and ginger through multiple elaborate stages, it's no wonder why this Tài Lồng Cake tastes so divine. Before indulging, one must inhale deeply the tantalizing aroma of ginger and the alluring sweetness of brown sugar emanating from the petite cakes, only to bite into a golden-brown piece adorned with a layer of peanuts and sesame seeds on its surface.
Stir-Fried Razor Clam Noodles – Along Chanh River, Quảng Yên Town
Don't let the name fool you; Stir-Fried Razor Clam Noodles are anything but boring. The 'ngán' referred to here is a type of mollusk with a tough shell, belonging to the clam family, typically found in the muddy coastal areas. Particularly, in Quảng Ninh, this type of clam is abundant.
At first glance, I was somewhat underwhelmed by a plate of Stir-Fried Razor Clam Noodles lacking vibrant colors and unimpressive presentation, with only the white of the noodles mingling with the black of the clams, alongside some wood ear mushrooms and green scallions. However, upon taking the first chopstickful, I was immediately captivated by the distinctive spiciness of the clams, complemented by the wood ear mushrooms, the savory aroma of lard, and fried shallots.
Indulge in the famed Tiên Yên Hill Chicken – Tiên Yên town.
From Hạ Long, take National Route 18 northward for 70km until you reach Tiên Yên town. Here, I was treated to a satisfying feast of the renowned Tiên Yên hill chicken specialty.
Tiên Yên chicken meat can be prepared in various dishes and still retain its exquisite taste, especially the pure boiled chicken dish – simple yet always effective. Upon seeing a Tiên Yên chicken after boiling, you wouldn't believe it was prepared conventionally, as the skin turns golden as if coated in turmeric and shines as if dipped in oil. The Tiên Yên chicken skin is not only golden and juicy but also very thick. At first glance, you might hesitate due to the fat content, but upon biting into a piece, you'll find it delightfully crispy and sweet.
Trân Châu Yogurt – Văn Lang street
Amidst the mundane streets, late evenings become more enjoyable with a refreshing cup of chilled trân châu yogurt.
Upon ordering trân châu yogurt, I received two separate cups: one containing pearls mixed with warm coconut milk and another a large, cool yogurt. Slightly surprised by this unusual snack, I mixed the two cups together. The nutty, warm flavor of the coconut milk blended with pearls, combined with the cool, tangy, sweet richness of the yogurt, made me swoon instantly. Sometimes, even while wandering the snack stalls of Saigon, I still crave the Quảng Ninh trân châu yogurt.
By Theo Yan, Yan.vn Extraordinaire
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A Guide by MytourNovember 20th, 2015
