Explore Ninh Binh through its captivating local delights

More than just famous for crispy rice and goat meat, the ancient land of Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh also possesses many lesser-known local treasures such as grilled field crab with wild betel leaf, wrapped snakehead fish, and bamboo tube grilled fish...

Here are 6 rustic and delightful dishes with a touch of Ninh Binh tourism!

1. Grilled field crab with wild betel leaf

Grilled field crab with wild betel leaf, a popular local dish in Ninh Binh, carries the authentic rural flavor that travelers should try when visiting the ancient capital. Carefully prepared with freshly caught field crabs and cleaned betel leaves cut into strips, these two main ingredients are grilled together following a specific recipe. Because it uses wild crabs, this dish provides diners with a surprising texture, the crispy tenderness of field crab combined with the distinctive fragrance of betel leaves. It is best enjoyed with hot rice.

2. Wrapped snakehead fish salad

Hailing from the enchanting Kim Son region, the unique charm of catfish salad lies in its aromatic and robust essence. While still rooted in the fundamental ingredients like angelica leaves, velvet apple, and vermicelli, this dish captures hearts with the distinctive flavor of catfish. Belonging to the same family as eel but boasting a wider physique, catfish is meticulously cleaned in lime-infused water and ash, then filtered boneless before slicing the fish into delicate layers. Unlike other fish salads that wrap with rice paper, locals in Ninh Binh prefer to roll it with crispy fried fish skin or various accompanying leaves.

3. Boiled Mountain Snails

Mountain snails are a renowned specialty in Ninh Binh, celebrated for their natural sweetness and richness acquired from feasting on leaves, grass, and some precious herbs. Consequently, these snails are transformed into various dishes such as grilled, tamarind-stir-fried, or garlic-stir-fried, but the most favored remains the boiled mountain snails.

After being caught, mountain snails are thoroughly washed and boiled with lemongrass. Simple as it sounds, this rustic delicacy captivates many with its natural sweetness. Diners can savor the snail's innate sweetness or dip it in a tangy fish sauce with lime and chili.

4. Floating Rice Cake

While Ninh Binh is renowned for goat meat and burnt rice, it also boasts a distinctive and exotic dish called floating rice cake. Crafted from rice flour, these cakes replace the traditional filling with honey, crushed roasted peanuts, and chrysanthemum petals. The chrysanthemum petals, after being freshly picked, are finely sliced, marinated with honey for about half an hour to ensure even absorption, and then mixed with crushed roasted peanuts in the middle of the rice flour dough.

Typically, to impart a subtly fragrant and not overly sweet flavor to the rice cake, cooks add a touch of chrysanthemum petals and pomelo flowers to the boiling water. This is why each Ninh Binh floating rice cake carries a gentle sweetness, a refreshing aroma, and a faintly distinctive fragrance.

5. Fermented Pork Roll

When it comes to fermented pork rolls, many immediately think of Thanh Hoa, renowned for its fragrant and unique nem thơm. However, if you happen to visit Ninh Binh, you can also savor the somewhat different taste of this dish. Ninh Binh's fermented pork roll is made from lean pork, fat-free pork skin, shredded bamboo shoots, and various seasonings like monosodium glutamate, salt, etc. It is then wrapped in guava leaves for a distinct aroma and banana leaves for an appealing outer layer. This dish is best enjoyed with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, and garlic.

6. Goby Fish Braised with Gao Leaves

Gao, a type of plant found abundantly in some streams or foothills in Ninh Binh, serves various purposes, including medicinal uses and culinary applications. There are two different types of gao used in braised fish with gao leaves: green gao and yellow gao. Regardless of the type, when braising, gao is arranged at the bottom of the pot, followed by fish cut into pieces and gao sliced or cut into pieces on top. The dish, braised goby fish with gao leaves, boasts a unique flavor without any fishy or gamy smell, thanks to the neutralizing effect of the gao fruit. Green gao imparts a slightly bitter taste, while yellow gao offers a mildly sour flavor.

According to VnExpress

***

Reference: Travel guide from Mytour