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Ha Nam Delicacies are renowned among many diners. Coming here, you not only have the chance to admire the nature but also to indulge in the culinary delights. If you're looking for a place to unwind on the weekend, head straight to Ha Nam. The delicious dishes will make your journey even more enjoyable. Here, Mytour will highlight some must-try Ha Nam delicacies you shouldn't miss.
Famous Ha Nam Specialty - Braised Fish in Vu Dai Village
One of the must-try specialties of Ha Nam is the braised fish in Vu Dai Village. This dish is also known by many other names such as Hoang Nam braised fish, Dai Hoang braised fish, etc. It is highly praised for its high-quality ingredients and meticulous cooking process.
To braise fish, one must select black carp weighing from 4 to 6 kg or more. Besides fish, the pot also contains pork belly and various countryside spices. A perfect braised fish should have a texture that is neither too dry nor too wet. The finished product should have an appealing brown color, no fishy smell, and a pleasant aroma.
Right from the cooking method, it makes diners eager to try it out immediately (Image source: Collected)
The cooking time of this dish can range from 16 to 20 hours, involving more than 10 different types of rustic spices. They are usually cooked with firewood, such as lychee or guava stems. Thanks to this, the fish meat will be firm, tender, and the bones soft. When eating, you will feel the rich flavor in every bite.
This dish, when eaten with hot rice, will enhance its taste even more. In the past, braised fish from Vu Dai village was a dish offered to the king. Just that fact alone is enough for you to imagine the deliciousness of the fish. Ha Nam specialty with its unique flavor will leave a lasting impression on you. Rest assured that you will not find the taste of braised fish from Vu Dai village anywhere else.
Ha Nam Specialty - Tam Chuc Goby Fish
Tam Chuc Goby Fish is one of the well-known specialties of Ha Nam that many people are familiar with. Tam Chuc is known as one of the largest freshwater lakes in our country. Therefore, there are many rare aquatic species living here. Among them, the goby fish is highly favored for its deliciously fatty and sweet meat.
From goby fish, people can create various dishes. For example, braised goby fish with pickled vegetables, goby fish porridge, grilled goby fish... No matter which dish, they are all very enticing and worth trying. Visiting Ha Nam without trying this dish would truly be a regrettable missed opportunity.
The 'thousands of people's favorite' specialty of Ha Nam (Image source: Collected)
This fish species embodies the essence of Ha Nam region. The fish is directly caught from the freshwater lake of Tam Chuc. Once tasted, you will be amazed by its distinctive deliciousness. Many first-time visitors to Ha Nam are eager to try this dish.
Renowned Specialty of Ha Nam - Phu Ly Steamed Rice Rolls
One of the must-try specialties of Ha Nam is the Phu Ly steamed rice rolls. The attraction of this dish lies in the double-layered rice cakes made from fragrant jasmine rice flour. The filling inside is made from wood ear mushrooms and fried shallots. It is best served with grilled pork sausages, meatloaf, and grilled meat, which are all extremely enticing.
Before processing, jasmine rice is soaked in water for 3 to 4 hours. Then, the rice flour is finely ground, mixed into rice flour batter, and spread on a steaming pot. The rice rolls are most delicious when served hot, topped with fragrant fried shallots and a few drops of oil. When dipped in sauce, you will experience a perfect balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors.
A dish imbued with the rustic flavors of Ha Nam countryside (Image source: Collection)
The delectable steamed rice rolls served with fresh herbs and shredded banana blossoms elevate the taste to an indescribable level. Steamed rice rolls are a familiar dish to all of us. However, Phu Ly steamed rice rolls possess a distinctive flavor of their own. That's why this dish has become a specialty of Ha Nam.
Famous Specialty of Ha Nam - Binh Luc Fermented Shrimp Paste
The list of Ha Nam specialties
Creating a jar of delicious fermented shrimp paste involves several steps. From cleaning, peeling, and grinding the crayfish until they become smooth. Then mixing them with salt and fermenting tightly in a container. They will be sun-dried and buried underground for a day. And it must be left for a long time until the shrimp paste becomes truly soft before being used.
An image of crayfish used to make shrimp paste (Image source: Collection)
After being fully prepared, the fermented shrimp paste has an enticing color. When eaten, you can feel the saltiness of the salt and the richness of the crayfish, the spiciness of ginger... This distinctive, rich flavor has created the renowned shrimp paste of Ha Nam. Many tourists visiting here have bought Binh Luc fermented shrimp paste as gifts for their loved ones.
In Ha Nam, crayfish often inhabit areas with shallow water such as Thanh Liem, Binh Luc,... Among them, Binh Luc is the area where the profession of making fermented shrimp paste is most developed. You can use fermented shrimp paste to prepare other dishes or enjoy it with various dipping sauces.
Specialty of Ha Nam - Tái Kênh Noodles
Tái Kênh Noodles is a well-known specialty of Ha Nam that many tourists are familiar with. This noodle dish is not like any other noodles. It has its own unique characteristics in terms of elasticity, chewiness, and texture. At each stage, the noodles are meticulously prepared according to a special recipe. That's why it's impossible to replicate them anywhere else. This uniqueness has contributed to the reputation of Tái Kênh noodles.
Strands of noodles being sun-dried (Image source: Collection)
Starting from selecting the ingredients to soaking and grinding the rice, kneading the dough, boiling, and pounding... Every step must follow the traditional method. This type of noodles is widely used in Ha Nam cuisine. People here often enjoy noodles with broth or with other types of food in their daily meals.
Renowned Specialty of Ha Nam - River Carp Noodle Soup
River Carp Noodle Soup is a highly acclaimed specialty of Ha Nam renowned for its rich flavors of the Northern region. This dish entices diners with the savory and crispy aroma of fried river carp. Along with that are the freshness of vegetables such as tomatoes, scallions, and greens... The broth, simmered from river carp bones, has a rich and sweet flavor. Hence, when you eat it, you won't feel overwhelmed.
This dish was also served to the kings in ancient times. The fish is prepared with a special method to eliminate any fishy odor, resulting in a sweet and fragrant taste. Over time, river carp noodle soup has firmly established its reputation. Visitors from near and far who come to Ha Nam all want to try this dish.
River carp noodle soup beautifully presented (Image source: Collection)
Noodles must be served with a dash of greens, herbs to enhance the deliciousness. And the greens should be fresh, fragrant greens to harmonize with the richness of the fish. The dish is meticulously prepared and visually appealing. It captivates diners with its golden, succulent meat layer blending with the green color of the vegetables. All blend together to immerse in the taste of the homeland.
Famous Specialty of Ha Nam - Móng Duy Tiên Chicken
Móng Duy Tiên Chicken is a specialty of Ha Nam you should try when you're here. What makes this dish enticing is the thick, lean, chewy skin that's not too greasy or dry. From the chicken meat, you can prepare various dishes such as stir-fry, lemon salt, pan-fry, steamed with lotus leaves...
You have to try this dish once to appreciate its deliciousness (Image source: Collection)
Móng chicken is considered a rare breed in our country with precious genetics and is listed in the Red Book. However, this poultry species is also allowed to be raised and bred. The people of Mong village have over 30 years of experience in raising chickens. And they have succeeded in spreading their name across the country.
Renowned Specialty of Ha Nam - Royal Banana Ngự Đại Hoàng
Ngự Đại Hoàng banana is one of the fruits belonging to the specialties of Ha Nam. According to folklore, this fruit is also known as the 'banana advancing the king.' The banana has a yellow outer skin with a fresh green stem. The bananas, neatly arranged, look very beautiful.
It's not easy to grow Đại Hoàng bananas because they are very picky about the soil. They can only be grown in the strip of land along the Chau Giang River. This river flows through some areas of Ly Nhan district. Therefore, from the planting process to care, it requires a lot of effort. Bananas contain high levels of nutrients: amino acids, potassium, 6 types of vitamins along with 11 minerals...
Uniformly ripened golden bananas look very appealing (Source: Collection)
Regular consumption of Đại Hoàng bananas helps you to intake many nutritional values for your body. Typically, you can keep a bunch of bananas for up to a week and still maintain their sweetness and aroma. The more you eat, the more you will feel the distinctive delicious taste of Đại Hoàng bananas.
Famous Specialty of Ha Nam - Seedless Hong Nhan Hau
Seedless Hong Nhan Hau is famous for its round and smooth appearance. Therefore, this fruit is also a very famous specialty of Ha Nam. When ripe, it will turn into a deep red color. The seeds of this type of citrus fruit have degenerated and disappeared during development.
Hong Nhan Hau possesses a very distinctive delicious taste. This type of fruit also brings many health benefits. For example, it helps prevent heart disease, aids digestion, fights cancer, and slows down aging... Each hong fruit also contains a lot of vitamin A and C, so it's good for the skin.
When in Ha Nam, don't forget to enjoy seedless hong fruits (Source: Collection)
Hong trees usually bloom in January, and the fruits ripen around the 8th lunar month, nearing Tet. Hong Nhan Hau consists of preserved hong and non-preserved hong for you to choose from. With non-preserved hong, the green fruits are soaked in vinegar using oil lamps, rice husk furnaces, or incense to eliminate bitterness. When ripe, they turn a deep red color like tomatoes.
Specialty of Ha Nam - Ly Nhan Oranges
A fruit worthy of the title Ha Nam specialty is Ly Nhan oranges. These oranges have a somewhat flat shape and juicy peel. When ripe, they turn a beautiful golden color. One of the standout features of this type of orange is its fragrant aroma, not too strong but pleasantly sweet. They smell as soothing as essential oils, bringing a feeling of utmost relaxation and comfort.
Ly Nhan is a district located by the Red River. This place is blessed with fertile land, ideal for growing oranges. Around September and October in the lunar calendar is the season when oranges ripen. If you go on a North Vietnam Tour 2023, you will have the opportunity to taste this renowned type of orange in Ha Nam during this season.
Ly Nhan oranges are often bought by many tourists as gifts (Source: Collection)
When eating, you will taste the natural sweetness that Ly Nhan oranges bring. Even those who are not food enthusiasts can feel the difference. This is what has made Ly Nhan oranges famous throughout our country. They are even exported to other countries.
Ha Nam Specialty - Vọc Long Wine
For those who love traditional alcoholic beverages, Vọc Long Wine is a must-try. This wine is considered a beloved Ha Nam specialty. Throughout generations, the wine brewed in Vọc village has always followed a unique distillation formula. It is made from high-quality rice and fermented with a blend of 36 northern medicinal herbs.
After fermentation, it must wait for 2 to 3 days until the fermentation is complete before it can be opened. The rice should be cooked to just the right degree, neither too soft nor too dry. The cooked rice is cooled down and then mixed with the fermentation starter before being placed in pottery jars to ferment for 48 hours. Once the liquid starts to accumulate, it is drained. It takes about 2 nights before it is ready to be distilled into wine.
The flavor of Vọc Long Wine is highly praised by many (Source: Collection)
The key factor that determines the distinctive flavor of Vọc Long Wine is the water from Vọc village. The water here is cool and very sweet. When tasting the wine, just a sip is enough to savor its deliciousness. It carries a fragrant aroma of glutinous rice and leaves a lasting impression.
Ha Nam Specialty - Đầm Village Square Cake
A Ha Nam specialty you can't miss is the Đầm Village Square Cake. This is one of the 5 villages renowned for making square cakes in the Northern region. The village has a tradition of making cakes for over a hundred years. What sets it apart is that the cakes here are not cooked with well water but with rainwater. The pot used for boiling is made of tin to produce the best cakes.
The rice chosen for making the cake must be of high quality. As for the dong leaves, only the best quality ones are selected. Rainwater used for cooking the cakes must undergo meticulous filtering to ensure purity. When eating Đầm Village Square Cake, you'll experience the harmonious blend of glutinous rice, green beans, and pork. The rustic flavors intertwine without being overwhelming.
The flavor of Đầm Village Square Cake will leave an unforgettable impression on you (Source: Collection)
The cakes here are famous for their soft, fragrant texture and rich, renowned flavor. Not only are they delicious, but they are also beautifully wrapped and presented. The square-shaped cakes look very appealing. That's why they make meaningful gifts for travelers to buy.
Above is the list of Ha Nam specialties that Mytour wants to introduce to you. These rustic and familiar dishes are prepared by the locals here in a very unique way. They bring the simple, rustic flavors of the countryside that truly delight travelers. If you intend to visit Ha Nam, book your tour today. To book a tour, contact Mytour via hotline Mytour!
