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Nam Dinh is renowned among both local and international travelers not only for its attractions but also for its delicious signature dishes. The specialties of Nam Dinh reflect the rustic charm of the Northern Delta region. Let's discover 10 famous Nam Dinh specialties that are beloved far and wide.
Nam Dinh Beef Pho – A Must-Try Specialty
Though the name may sound familiar and ordinary, Nam Dinh beef pho is a distinctive specialty that embodies the unique essence of both pho and beef. The noodles are thin and soft, maintaining their texture perfectly. Paired with a rich, fragrant broth, the flavor is robust and satisfying. The broth, praised by many diners, is delicious yet still retains its own distinct character. Additionally, the generous portion of tender, sweet beef adds to the dish's appeal.
For a taste of Nam Dinh beef pho, you can visit some renowned establishments such as: Pho Xuyen on Van Nhan Alley, Pho Dan on Hai Ba Trung Street, Pho Cu Tang on Hang Tien Street,...
Nam Dinh Lychee Cake – A Delightful Gift
What specialties does Nam Dinh have? Surely, you can't miss out on Hai Hau lychee cakes. Despite the name, you might think these cakes are made from lychee fruit, but that's not the case. The reason for this name is the round, cute shape of the cakes resembling lychee fruit, which is incredibly enticing. The crust is fragrant, crispy, and golden in color.
The ingredients for making these cakes are simply glutinous rice flour mixed with eggs and then fried. Lychee cakes are deeply ingrained in the life of the people of Nam Dinh, inviting guests over, or wrapping them as gifts for friends and family near and far. There's a verse written about Nam Dinh lychee cakes that everyone who comes here must hear at least once: 'My hometown's Lychee cakes are fragrant and crispy/Not inferior to the exotic delicacies of other lands'
To purchase delicious lychee cakes, you can consider the address of Van Dich Lychee Cake (Yen Dinh town, Hai Hau).
Nem Nam – A Specialty Dish of Nam Dinh
Another famous specialty dish of Nam Dinh is nem nam. Nem nam is made from the main ingredients of pork meat and skin thinly sliced and mixed with spices and rice crisps. This is a traditional dish of Thanh Nam people and continues to be closely associated with the life of Nam Dinh residents until now. This dish must be eaten with dinh lang or sung leaves, combined with Sa Chau fish sauce, and a little chili garlic to truly bring out its captivating flavor.
Nem nam from Nam Dinh is surely the first gift that tourists think of when they set foot in this land. When unwrapping the outer sung leaf layer, the fragrant, rich, and creamy flavor spreads out, making it irresistible for everyone. The recommended place for you to buy the best nem nam is Giao Thuy nem nam store at 337 Tran Nhan Tong Street.
Grilled Fish in Pot – A Must-Try Specialty of Nam Dinh
Grilled fish in pot is one of Nam Dinh's specialties, a traditional dish that every family in Nam Dinh has on their dining table during Tet holidays. This specialty stands out not only from its name but also through its unique and innovative preparation method.
The basic preparation steps include cleaning the fish, marinating it with spices, and placing it under a layer of straw, banana leaves, surrounded by bricks. Next, the area around the pot is heated for about 30 minutes, then covered with a thick layer of rice husk and continued to burn for 4-5 hours. Throughout the grilling process, controlling the temperature is crucial, which can be quite challenging for inexperienced individuals.
The fish turns golden, aromatic, and flavorful, retaining the sweetness of the meat, surpassing the taste when cooked using a different method.
Kenh Village Steamed Rice Rolls
What specialties does Nam Dinh have? Kenh Village steamed rice rolls are a long-standing delicious dish with a distinctive aroma. Each piece of rice roll is smooth and white, combined with minced meat, fried shallots, then rolled into a round shape on a plate. When enjoying, you'll have it with a sweet and sour, spicy chili dipping sauce. The rice roll can be filling for lunch or a light breakfast. Especially, the price of Kenh Village steamed rice rolls is very reasonable, starting from only 10,000 VND per serving.
Nam Dinh Pork Bun
Nam Dinh pork bun is a specialty that serves as a thoughtful gift, embodying a rustic, familiar charm yet with an incredibly delicious and enticing flavor. At first glance, you might think of soft cream-filled buns, small and round. As for the bun, the outer layer is quite similar to baked mooncakes but softer, kneaded from wheat flour. The filling inside includes char siu pork, lard, eggs, along with some distinctive spices tailored to the taste of Nam Dinh residents.
If you have the opportunity to witness the process of making these cakes by chefs, you'll surely love it. The pork is marinated with five-spice powder, garlic, and a bit of honey to enhance the aroma, sweetness, and color when grilled. The price of the cake starts from only 5,000 VND each, and you can choose to buy the desired quantity to enjoy.
Nam Dinh Gai Cake – A Thoughtful Gift
Nam Dinh is the birthplace of these delicious, fragrant, and sweet Gai cakes, a distinctive specialty. The cake's outer shell has a characteristic black color, soft and chewy. The filling inside is made from green beans, lotus seeds, peanuts, coconut, and fat meat. This combination creates a unique flavor unlike any other type of cake.
The price of this Nam Dinh specialty cake ranges from about 6,000 to 11,000 VND each, depending on the type of filling and cake size. A recommended spot for tourists is the famous Bà Thi Gai Cake shop.
Nam Dinh Sesame Candy
Another distinctive Nam Dinh specialty gift is sesame candy. When it comes to candy, we immediately think of sweet, chewy treats. With sesame candy, the sensation of crunchy candy melting in the mouth is extremely captivating. The ingredients of the candy include sesame seeds, peanuts, sugar, and maltose. The harmonious combination of these ingredients, through the skilled hands of experienced craftsmen, makes the product even more special.
Nam Dinh Dồi Candy
Not only a childhood favorite, Nam Dinh Dồi candy is also a special Nam Dinh specialty candy to gift to tourists whenever they step foot in this land. The name Dồi candy comes from the appearance of the candy resembling the beloved Northern snack, Dồi.
The ingredients that make up this candy include peanuts, maltose, sugar, and vanilla. Thanks to the skill and meticulousness of the candy makers, they have created a cloudy white outer layer surrounding the fragrant peanut filling inside, making it neither too sweet nor too cloying when eaten.
Nam Dinh Preserved Sweet Soup
We are familiar with sweet soups, enjoyed with ice on hot sunny days, but preserved sweet soup is still quite unfamiliar. From green beans, skillfully processed by the hands of the cook, a soft, delicious, and refreshing piece of sweet soup is created. The top is sprinkled with some sesame seeds to enhance the flavor of the dish. It will be even more wonderful when enjoyed with friends and family, savoring the dried sweet soup and sipping hot bitter tea while sharing life stories.
Here are 10 suggested specialties of Nam Dinh cuisine that travelers should not miss if they have the opportunity to visit. Exploring cuisine is also a way to experience and enjoy life in new regions on the 'S'-shaped land of the nation.
Posted by: Tuyen Ho Thi Tuyen
Keywords: Must-Try Top 10 Specialties from Nam Dinh
