Explore Lao Cai's Culinary Wonders with 7 Irresistible Local Specialties

Lao Cai is renowned for its majestic natural landscapes and captivating tourist destinations. When here, don't miss out on 7 unique local specialties that leave a distinct mark on Lao Cai's culinary scene. These specialties are worth savoring or bringing back as gifts after every journey.

Explore Lao Cai's Culinary Wonders with 7 Irresistible Local Specialties

1. Victory Feast

Victory Feast is a distinctive dish of the Mông people in the Northwest mountains and a traditional delicacy of the highland residents of Lao Cai, creating a unique mark in Lao Cai's culinary landscape. The dish is prepared from horse meat and organs, combined with the distinctive spices of the Northwest mountainous region. The meat is simmered for hours until tender, allowing diners to experience the unique flavor of horse meat along with various spices, complemented by a sip of corn wine. If you have the opportunity to visit Lao Cai, you must try this special Victory Feast.

In Sapa, tourists not only have the chance to indulge in enticing dishes made from stream fish, forest vegetables, and various fruits such as apples, pears, plums, peaches, but also get to enjoy the renowned specialty of floating salmon. The salmon boasts a rich and delicious flavor, with pink, beautiful flesh and high nutritional value. It is a luxurious dish in Lao Cai's culinary that captivates both local and international visitors. Sapa salmon has firm flesh, without fat, and is prepared into various delectable dishes such as salads, hotpots, porridge, grilled salmon, steamed fish eggs, smoked salmon, and stuffed cucumber with salmon.

3. Bac Ha Sour Pho

Bac Ha Sour Pho is a culinary icon of Lao Cai. A trip to Bac Ha without savoring this sour pho would be incomplete. Though a humble and simple dish, sour pho encapsulates the cultural essence of the highland people in Bac Ha – Lao Cai. The dish's uniqueness, with its distinctive appearance, devoid of the anticipated smoky ambiance, always leaves a lasting impression on diners. The broth of sour pho diverges from the typical hot bone broth, undergoing a meticulous fermentation process, resulting in a specific level of sourness. A bowl of sour pho typically includes the broth, chewy and soft pho noodles, a sprinkle of roasted peanuts, and fragrant and tender steamed pork.

4. Seng Cu Mường Khuong Rice

Seng Cu Rice, a specialty from Lao Cai, is a favored choice among culinary enthusiasts as a gift for loved ones due to its exceptionally delightful aroma. Seng Cu Rice, a type of brown rice, is extensively cultivated in Mường Khuong district (Lao Cai). The grains are long and firm, resulting in rice with a fragrant aroma reminiscent of young rice, offering a tender, soft texture, and a rich, sweet flavor when cooked.

5. Stolen Armpit Pork

Stolen Armpit Pork is a distinctive specialty that leaves a lasting impression on many food enthusiasts. It is a familiar breed of pig raised by the highland residents of Lao Cai, including the Dao, Thái, Mông ethnic groups, using free-range farming methods. Stolen Armpit Pork is abundantly available in highland markets in Lao Cai, weighing under 20kg, making it convenient to carry in bags, by hand, or tucked under the armpit – hence the name. The firm and flavorful pork is expertly prepared into enticing dishes such as steaming, grilling, stir-frying, or simmering in soups.

6. Bitter Bamboo Shoot Spring Rolls

7. San Lung Rice Wine

As per Mytour

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour