Buzz
Quang Binh not only leaves a lasting impression on visitors with the Vung Chua - Dao Yen land, the tranquil resting place of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the majestic Son Doong Cave, the Jumping Rock Beach, and the endless sandy hills, but also captivates travelers with the unparalleled uniqueness of Quang Binh cuisine.
1/ Experience the unique charm of Quang Binh cuisine
1.1/ Culinary experiences in Quang Binh tourism
When you visit Quang Binh once, you will be instantly captivated not only by its stunning landscapes and friendly locals but also by the countless delicious dishes. As a renowned tourist destination in Central Vietnam, it's easy to understand why dining services in Quang Binh are so diverse and rich. Whether you prefer vegetarian, savory, or a menu for those following specific dietary restrictions, the restaurants here can meet your needs. The rich culinary scene, combined with the breathtaking natural beauty bestowed by Mother Nature, has created a truly beautiful Quang Binh in the hearts of travelers.
1.2/ Culinary Delights of Phong Nha Ke Bang
Phong Nha Ke Bang is not only known as the largest national park in Asia, with over 300 charming caves like Phong Nha Cave, Tien Son Cave, Paradise Cave, Chay River, but also for its diverse and modern dining establishments. Despite Phong Nha being a bit far from Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province, around 70km away, the local specialties of Quang Binh are incredibly enticing.
1.3/ Fresh Seafood in Dong Hoi
Being a coastal land, Quang Binh offers a plethora of delicious seafood dishes such as grilled stingray, grilled scallops with spring onion oil, Grilled Thorny Oysters with charcoal, hotpot with sweet potato fish, freshwater snails, fish salad, fermented fish sauce, Sea Anemone, Mussel Congee, dried shrimp floss, Blood Cockle from Ron River,... If you are passionate about seafood, this is an ideal destination for the 2019 travel season.
2/ Quang Binh's Must-Try Local Delicacies
2.1/ Quang Hoa Pancakes
Quang Hoa is the name of a commune in Ba Don town, Quang Binh province. Quang Hoa Pancakes are considered the most famous snack in Quang Binh. Unlike Da Nang pancakes or Hue pancakes, Quang Binh pancakes are made from red-hued sticky rice. In terms of appearance, Quang Hoa Pancakes are similar to pancakes from other regions, but the crust has eye-catching embossed patterns.
What makes Quang Binh's pancake special is its unique pairing with a fascinating banana fish. This 'fish' is actually a banana, peeled, boiled until soft, and then shaped like a fish before being seasoned to perfection. To enjoy Quang Hoa Pancakes in style, besides the banana fish, you can also have them with fresh vegetables or rolled in rice paper like spring rolls, dipped in the same delicious sauce - absolute perfection.
2.2/ Sweet Potato Fish Hotpot
Sweet Potato Fish Hotpot is considered a specialty unique to Quang Binh, and this dish is featured on almost every menu in the local restaurants. People often jokingly say that you don't need to eat to appreciate the goodness of Sweet Potato Fish Hotpot; just looking at the pot of seasoned sweet potato fish and a plate of fresh and appealing vegetables is enough to make you want to indulge immediately.
The best way to enjoy Sweet Potato Fish Hotpot is to add the fish when the broth is boiling vigorously. It's recommended to eat it while the fish is just cooked to avoid it becoming mushy. Enjoy it hot because when it cools down, the fish can become fishy and lose the original flavor of this Quang Binh specialty.
2.3/ Clear Dumplings
Clear Dumplings, also widely known as cassava dumplings, originated from Hue but has been enriched with additional ingredients and flavors to suit the taste of Quang Binh residents. Over time, this dish has evolved into one of the unique specialties named Clear Dumplings of Quang Binh.
As a delicious and affordable dish, with just a few tens of thousands, you can enjoy it to your heart's content. Moreover, you can also buy them as gifts for your family and friends.
2.4/ Sea Anemone
Sea Anemone, a specialty of Quang Binh, is a type of sea snake with various species like striped sea anemone, spiky sea anemone, fish-like sea anemone, needle sea anemone, and more. Not only is Sea Anemone a unique dish in Quang Binh, but it is also considered a precious medicinal ingredient due to its high nutritional value. Sea Anemone can be prepared in various ways, with the most delicious options being snakehead fish soup with sea anemone or sea anemone spring rolls, two dishes most favored by diners when indulging in Quang Binh's cuisine.
3/ Quang Binh's Specialties as Souvenirs
Are you traveling in Quang Binh and wondering where to buy local specialties as gifts for your friends and family back home? Check out the meaningful Quang Binh specialties below to bring back as gifts.
3.1/ Quang Binh Special: Dried Sweet Potatoes
Dried sweet potatoes are among the famous and delicious local dishes of Quang Binh. According to the locals, Quang Binh has a relatively harsh climate, and the land is challenging for cultivation, suitable only for growing potatoes. Hence, people have created various dishes from potatoes, with dried sweet potatoes being renowned as a famous Quang Binh specialty and a popular gift choice.
To make dried sweet potatoes, they first select high-quality potatoes, boil them until cooked, and then sun-dry them for 10-12 days. The flexibility of the dried sweet potatoes depends on the drying process.
The average price of this Quang Binh specialty, dried sweet potatoes, as a gift, ranges from 80,000 VND to 100,000 VND per kilogram.
3.2/ Bao Ninh Fish Sauce
Bao Ninh is a commune in Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province.
In addition to traditional Vietnamese fish sauces like Phu Quoc fish sauce and Nha Trang fish sauce, Bao Ninh fish sauce is also highly renowned. Produced in a long-established traditional fish sauce village, Bao Ninh fish sauce is made from anchovies, creating a rich, fragrant, sweet flavor with a captivating dark yellow color.
3.3/ Dried Squid from Quang Binh
Characteristic of Quang Binh squid is its thick body, tender flesh, not overly chewy like other regional squid varieties. Typically, the price of dried squid, a Quang Binh specialty as a gift, ranges from 60,000 to 800,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the type and size of the squid you choose. You can easily purchase dried squid from Quang Binh at seafood markets or supermarkets in the province.
3.4/ Quang Binh Snail Delicacy
Another Quang Binh specialty that you cannot miss as a gift when traveling here is the Quang Binh Snail. The Quang Binh Snail, a mollusk species, is relatively small, about the size of a button, with beautiful colors. Despite its small size, the flesh of this snail does not have the typical fishy taste; instead, it has a delightful aroma.
After bringing Quang Binh snails home, you can boil them until cooked, rinse them, add lime leaves and seasonings, stir for 5 minutes, and you'll have a fantastic Quang Binh Snail dish. Many tourists who have enjoyed this dish in Quang Binh have bought it as a gift for their family and friends at home, hoping they can also savor this delicious Quang Binh specialty.
4. Recommended Addresses for Delicious Quang Binh Specialties Loved by Tourists
4.1/ Phong Nha Veggie Box Restaurant
Address: Son Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Binh.
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
In addition to Quang Binh specialties, the restaurant also offers seafood dishes such as seafood hotpot, specialty eel, lobster, and more.
4.2/ Ocean Restaurant
Address: 71 Truong Phap – Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh.
The restaurant is located next to Nhat Le Beach - the most beautiful beach in Quang Binh.
4.3/Nguyen Shack Restaurant - Phong Nha
Address: Son Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Binh.
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The restaurant is renowned for its homestay concept in Quang Binh.
5. Recommended Addresses to Buy Famous Quang Binh Specialties as Gifts
You can purchase some of the mentioned Quang Binh specialties as gifts at Dong Hoi Market (Me Suot Street, Dong Hoi City), Ba Don Market, seafood markets along the coast such as Nhat Le, Hoan Lao, Canh Duong, and Thanh Khe Market.
Above are 8 delicious dishes from PasGo's Quang Binh cuisine recommendations for your trip here, hoping they will be useful information for you. Don't forget to check PasGo to discover Quang Binh's specialties and find the nearest restaurants.
Wishing you a meaningful and enjoyable culinary experience in Quang Binh.
Minh Phuong.
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