Buzz
Aside from marveling at the breathtaking landscapes of Trang An and Tam Coc, don't forget to relish the unique specialty that tastes best only in Ninh Binh.
Mountain Goat - an Absolute Must-Try When Traveling to Ninh Binh
Mountain goat meat is present in various regions across Vietnam; however, Ninh Binh is recognized for offering the most delicious goat dishes. Local mountain goats were once listed among the top 50 Vietnamese specialties (established by the Vietnam Record Center in 2012).
The distinctive deliciousness of Ninh Binh's mountain goat comes from the unique method of raising them. Unlike other regions, locals don't confine the goats to pens but let them roam freely in the mountains. The animals climbing through challenging terrains result in lean and less fatty meat.
The high-quality goat meat is a result of them grazing on natural vegetation, including many valuable herbs. The limestone mountainous region, submerged for 250 million years, adds wild forest herbs to the goat meat, making it an enticing dish for visitors from various regions when traveling to Ninh Binh.
According to standards, the meat should have a moderately tender texture, not overly chewy, with a distinctive aroma, but not as pungent as goat varieties from other regions. When eating, pair it with lime, ginger, chili, lemongrass, galangal, water lily leaf, starfruit leaf, and green banana, along with various raw vegetables to reduce the gamey smell and enhance the meat's sweetness.
There are two dipping sauces used in goat dishes - fermented soybean paste and ginger fish sauce. Many diners prefer the fermented soybean paste for its balanced saltiness, fragrant aroma of soybeans and yellow flower rice, complementing the goat meat beautifully.
The mountain goat specialty in Ninh Binh offers up to 20 dishes such as blood pudding, lime-soaked goat meat, stir-frying, lemongrass chili sauté, grilled skewers, braised, steamed, hotpot, and more, prepared from nearly all parts of the animal.
To fully appreciate the flavor of goat meat, travelers should try lime-soaked goat meat, a dish recommended by food enthusiasts and local restaurants. The owner boils the goat meat until it's cooked, then mixes it with lime juice, lemongrass, galangal, roasted sesame, without overpowering spices to maintain the meat's unique taste.
Currently, there is feedback that some places in Ninh Binh do not sell goat meat of standard quality. To find reputable eateries, visitors should head to the mountainous areas like Hoa Lu, around the Trang An eco-tourism area, Tam Coc... Pre-prepared goat dishes range from 100,000 to 250,000 VND depending on the dish and quantity.
Source: Phong Vinh – Tâm Linh/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourMarch 6, 2019
