Buzz
Thanh Hoa, blessed with forests, seas, and scenic beauty, boasts rich natural resources. From the bounty of our homeland, Thanh Hoa locals have ingeniously crafted renowned delicacies.
1. Fermented Pork Roll (Nem chua)
Nem chua, a common dish in Vietnam, finds its crispiest and most delectable rendition in Thanh Hoa. Though ubiquitous nowadays, Thanh Hoa's nem chua remains a cherished gift for visitors.
2. Sam Son Fish Salad (Goi ca Sam Son)
No visit to Sam Son is complete without savoring the exquisite Sam Son fish salad. Prepared with boneless, 3-5 kg fish, marinated in a tangy lemon sauce mixed with fragrant roasted rice powder, the salad is served with a unique dipping sauce made from fish skin, pork belly, duck eggs, dried garlic, shrimp paste, sugar, and salt—a tantalizing delight.
3. Scrambled Wheel Cake
The people of Thanh Hoa endearingly named their rustic cake 'scrambled wheel cake' due to its peculiar shape resembling a farmer's wheel. With a fragrant blend of rice flour and dong leaves, packed with flavorful meat and mushrooms, it exudes a homely essence.
4. Bitter Leaf Soup
Bitter leaf soup, a specialty of the Muong ethnic group in Ngoc Lac, Thanh Hoa, derives its name from the bitter leaves, also known as duckweed leaves, used in its preparation. Originally a forest plant, it was cultivated for its delicious taste. Only the finest leaves make a truly delightful soup.
First-timers may be initially taken aback by the intensity of the bitterness, but it quickly dissipates, leaving behind a refreshing taste from the other ingredients. The soup offers a perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness, and richness, showcasing the culinary richness of the Muong people in Thanh Hoa.
5. Fermented Fish Sauce
If shrimp paste, krill paste, and fermented shrimp paste are considered challenging, then fermented mantis shrimp paste deserves the title of the ultimate olfactory test. Made from mantis shrimp, a crustacean resembling a small crab but quicker and more agile.
The mantis shrimp is cleaned, its shell removed, the sharp pincers at its joints trimmed, then ground into a smooth paste using a stone mortar. Salt and roasted rice powder are added, packed into bamboo trays, and left to sun-dry for about a month. The more sun it receives, the quicker and more fragrant the paste becomes.
6. Minh Chau Rice Cracker
Somewhere along the way, this humble delicacy became synonymous with Thanh Hoa. With its distinctive flavor, crafted by diligent and kind-hearted individuals, this cracker embodies the rustic cultural essence, leaving an indelible impression on anyone who has tasted its unique flavor.
Accompanied by river clam stir-fry from the Chu River, Minh Chau rice cracker is a traditional specialty of the village. No need for spoons or chopsticks, simply break the rice cracker into pieces and enjoy. The subtle sweetness of the clams, the fragrant nuttiness of sesame, the spiciness of chili, the sourness of lime, and the intense aroma of lemongrass blend harmoniously on the palate.
7. Set Lagoon Carp
When enjoying, simply dip the fish in delicious fish sauce or Ban sauce, add a few drops of lime, a bit of ginger, and some thinly sliced chili, and you can fully appreciate the rich, creamy, and fragrant taste of this famous royal delicacy.
8. Quadrangle Thorn Cake
According to Depplus
***
Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourMay 15th, 2014
