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Ha Nam specialties have always been renowned among food enthusiasts. When you come here, you not only have the chance to admire the natural beauty but also to indulge in culinary delights. If you're looking for a weekend getaway, 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 Ha Nam specialties is 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, and more. It's highly praised for its high-quality ingredients and meticulous cooking process.
To prepare braised fish, one must select black carp weighing from 4 to 6 kg or more. Besides fish, the pot also contains pork belly and various local spices. The ideal braised fish should have a texture that's neither too dry nor too wet. The finished product should have an attractive brown color, no fishy smell, and a pleasant aroma.
Even the cooking method itself makes diners eager to try it right away (Source: Collection)
The cooking time for this dish can range from 16 to 20 hours, involving over 10 different local spices. They are often cooked using wood, such as lychee or guava wood. This results in firm, tender fish meat and soft bones. When eating, you can feel the rich flavor in every bite of meat.
This dish, when enjoyed with hot rice, becomes even more flavorful. In the past, braised fish from Vu Dai Village was served as an offering to the king. Just that fact alone is enough to imagine the deliciousness of the fish. This Ha Nam specialty with its unique flavor will leave a lasting impression on you. You'll definitely not find the taste of braised fish from Vu Dai Village anywhere else.
Ha Nam Specialty - Tam Chuc Snakehead Fish
Tam Chuc Snakehead 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 Vietnam. Therefore, it is home to many rare aquatic species. Among them, snakehead fish is highly favored for its tender and sweet flesh.
From snakehead fish, various dishes can be prepared. For example, braised snakehead fish with pickled vegetables, snakehead fish congee, grilled snakehead fish... Regardless of the dish, they are all very appealing and worth trying. Visiting Ha Nam without tasting this dish would be a great pity.
The 'beloved by thousands' specialty of Ha Nam (Source: Collection)
This fish species epitomizes the essence of Ha Nam region. The fish is directly caught from the freshwater lake of Tam Chuc. Once tasted, you'll be amazed by its distinctive deliciousness. Many first-time visitors to Ha Nam are eager to experience this dish.
Signature Ha Nam Specialty - 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 its thin double-layered rice rolls made from fragrant rice flour. The filling inside is made from wood ear mushrooms and fried shallots. It is best enjoyed with grilled pork sausage, pork meatloaf, and grilled pork, which make it incredibly enticing.
The fragrant rice flour is soaked in water for 3 to 4 hours before processing. Then, the flour is finely ground, mixed into a batter, and spread onto a steaming pot. The rolls are most delicious when hot, topped with fragrant fried shallots and a few drops of oil. When dipped in the dipping sauce, you'll experience a perfect balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors.
A dish imbued with the rustic flavor of Ha Nam countryside (Source: Collection)
The delicious rice rolls, accompanied by fresh vegetables and banana blossoms, enhance the mouthwatering taste. All flavors blend together to create an indescribable deliciousness. 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 Ha Nam Specialty - Binh Luc Fermented Shrimp Paste
The list of Ha Nam specialties would not be complete without Binh Luc Fermented Shrimp Paste. If you are a fan of fermented seafood, you cannot miss this dish. This paste is made from fresh and delicious crayfish. They are then marinated and processed according to the unique formula of the people of Ha Nam.
To create a delicious jar of fermented shrimp paste, it requires multiple steps. From cleaning, peeling, and finely grinding the crayfish. Then mix with salt, ferment tightly in a container. They will be sun-dried and buried underground for a day. It should be fermented until it becomes soft and then it's ready for use.
An image of crayfish used to make the paste (Source: Collection)
After being processed, the fermented shrimp paste has an appealing color. When eaten, you can feel the saltiness of the salt, the richness of the crayfish, the spiciness of ginger... This distinctive and flavorful taste has made it a renowned condiment of the Ha Nam region. Many tourists visiting here buy Binh Luc fermented shrimp paste as gifts for their loved ones.
In Ha Nam, crayfish often inhabit areas with muddy water like Thanh Liem, Binh Luc,... Among them, Binh Luc is the area where the craft of making fermented shrimp paste is most developed. You can use fermented shrimp paste to prepare various dishes or as a dipping sauce for other dishes.
Specialty of Ha Nam - Canal Fresh Noodles
Canal Fresh Noodles is a specialty of Ha Nam known to many tourists. This noodle dish is not like any other noodles. They have their own characteristics in terms of elasticity, chewiness, and texture. At each stage, the noodles are meticulously prepared according to a unique recipe. That's why nowhere else can replicate it. This uniqueness has also built the reputation of Canal Fresh Noodles.
Strands of noodles being sun-dried (Source: Collection)
Starting from selecting ingredients to soaking rice, grinding rice, kneading dough, boiling, pounding... All stages must follow the traditional method. This type of noodles is commonly used in Ha Nam cuisine. People here often eat noodles with broth. Or serve with other types of food in their daily meals.
Signature Dish of Ha Nam - River Snakehead Noodle Soup
River Snakehead Noodle Soup is a well-known specialty of Ha Nam, renowned for its rich flavors from the Northern region. This dish captivates diners with the crispy and fragrant texture of fried river snakehead fish, accompanied by the freshness of vegetables such as tomatoes, scallions, and greens... The broth, simmered from river snakehead fish bones, boasts a deep and sweet taste. Hence, when you eat it, you won't feel overwhelmed.
This dish was also served to kings in ancient times. The fish is specially prepared to eliminate any fishy odor, resulting in a sweet and fragrant taste. Over time, River Snakehead Noodle Soup has firmly established its reputation. Visitors from near and far, when they come to Ha Nam, all want to try this dish.
The presentation of River Snakehead Noodle Soup is incredibly eye-catching (Source: Collection)
Noodles must be accompanied by a few greens, such as mustard greens or herbs, to enhance the flavor. It's essential that the greens are fresh and tender to balance with the richness of the fish. This dish is meticulously prepared and visually appealing. It captivates diners with its golden meat layer blending with the green of the vegetables. Everything harmonizes to evoke the taste of the homeland.
Famous Specialty of Ha Nam - Móng Duy Tiên Chicken
Móng Duy Tiên Chicken is a must-try when visiting Ha Nam. What makes this dish irresistible is its thick, lean, tender, and not overly dry skin. From this chicken meat, you can create various dishes such as stir-fried, salted with lime, pan-fried, or steamed with lotus leaves...
You have to try this dish once to truly appreciate its deliciousness (Source: Collection)
Móng chicken is considered a rare breed in our country and listed in the Red Book. However, this poultry species is allowed for farming and breeding. The people of Mong village have over 30 years of experience in raising chickens. They have successfully spread its name across the country.
Renowned Specialty of Ha Nam - Royal Banana of Dai Hoang
The Royal Banana of Dai Hoang is one of the fruits classified as a specialty of Ha Nam. According to folklore, this fruit is also known as the 'banana for kings.' The bananas have golden outer skins with fresh green stems. The evenly arranged bananas are visually appealing.
Growing Dai Hoang bananas is not easy due to their soil requirements. They can only be cultivated in the strip of land along the Chau Giang River. This river flows through some areas of Ly Nhan district. Therefore, from planting to care, it requires a lot of effort. Dai Hoang bananas contain high levels of nutrients: amino acids, potassium, 6 types of vitamins, and 11 minerals...
Beautifully arranged ripe bananas with a golden hue (Image Source: Collection)
Regular consumption of Dai Hoang bananas helps you intake a plethora of nutrients for your body. Typically, you can keep a bunch of bananas for up to a week and still enjoy their sweetness and aroma. The more you eat, the more you'll appreciate the distinctive deliciousness of Dai Hoang bananas.
Famous Ha Nam Specialty - Seedless Red Hau Guava
Seedless Red Hau Guava is renowned for its round and smooth appearance. That's why this fruit is also a very famous Ha Nam specialty. When ripe, the guava turns into a deep red color. The seeds of this guava variety have degenerated and disappeared during development.
Hau Nhan Guava 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 guava contains a high amount of vitamin A and C, which are also good for the skin.
When in Ha Nam, don't forget to enjoy seedless guavas (Image Source: Collection)
Guava trees usually bloom in January, and the fruits ripen around the Lunar New Year. Hau Nhan Guava includes pickled and fresh guavas for you to choose from. With pickled guavas, the green fruits are soaked in vinegar using oil lamps, rice husk stoves, or incense to reduce bitterness. When ripe, they turn a deep red color like tomatoes.
Ha Nam Specialty - Ly Nhan Tangerine
An emblematic fruit of Ha Nam specialty is the Ly Nhan tangerine. This tangerine has a fairly flat shape and juicy skin. When ripe, the tangerine turns a beautiful golden color. One of the highlights of this type of tangerine is its intoxicating but not overpowering scent. They smell sweet like essential oils, bringing a feeling of utmost relaxation and comfort.
Ly Nhan is a district located by the Red River. This place is endowed by nature with fertile and rich land, ideal for growing tangerines. In September and October, it's also tangerine season. If you go on the North Vietnam Tour 2023, you will have the opportunity to enjoy this famous tangerine.
Ly Nhan tangerines are often bought by many tourists as gifts (Image Source: Collection)
When eaten, you will feel the natural sweetness that tangerines bring. Even those who are not food enthusiasts can feel that difference. This is what has made Ly Nhan tangerines famous throughout our country. They are even exported to other countries.
Ha Nam Specialty - Vọc Long Wine
For those who love traditional liquors, you can't miss Vọc Long Wine. This wine is considered a beloved Ha Nam specialty. Throughout generations, the wine brewed in the Vọc village has always followed a unique distillation formula. It is made from high-quality rice and fermented with a mixture 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 in the wine is cooked just right, neither too soft nor too dry. The rice is stirred and allowed to cool before adding the ferment and placing it in a ceramic jar for 48 hours. When there is moisture, the water is drained. It takes about 2 nights before it's ready to be distilled.
The flavor of Vọc Long Wine is highly praised by many (Image 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, with just a sip, you can feel its deliciousness. It exudes a fragrant aroma of glutinous rice and leaves a lasting impression.
Renowned Ha Nam Specialty - Đầm Village Square Cake
A renowned Ha Nam specialty you can't miss is the Đầm Village Square Cake. This is one of the 5 villages known for making square cakes, recognized as the most famous in the North. The village has had a tradition of making cakes for over a hundred years. Most notably, the cakes here are not cooked with well water but with rainwater. The pot for boiling is made of tin to produce the best cakes.
The rice chosen for making the cake must be of good quality. As for the dong leaves, only the best quality leaves are selected. Rainwater for cooking the cake must undergo a meticulous filtering process to ensure purity. When enjoying the Đầm Village Square Cake, you will feel the harmonious blend of glutinous rice, green beans, and pork. The rustic flavors blend together without being overwhelming.
The flavor of Đầm Village square cake will leave an unforgettable memory (Image source: Collected)
The cakes here are famous for their delicious, fragrant, and rich taste, renowned far and wide. Not only are they delicious, but they are also beautifully wrapped, exquisite. The square-shaped cakes look very appealing. That's why they are a meaningful gift for tourists 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 village flavors that 'touch the heart' of tourists. If you intend to go to Ha Nam, book a tour today. To book a tour, please contact Mytour via the hotline Mytour!
