Buzz
As the commemoration day of the Hung Kings approaches, numerous travelers from afar are planning to visit Phu Tho. Besides participating in the festival, what gastronomic delights can you indulge in this 'land of extraordinary people'? Let's explore the following culinary delights:
Rice Ear Cake
Rice Ear Cake stands out as a culinary gem unique to Phu Tho. Crafted from fragrant jasmine rice, succulent pork, and an array of seasonings (fish sauce, lime, chili, pepper), this delicacy emerges as a pristine white, ear-shaped treat bursting with rich, savory flavors, appealing to diverse palates. Given its widespread popularity, one can relish Rice Ear Cake at any corner of Phu Tho Province.
Cockcrow Glutinous Rice
Primarily found in Yen Lap, Phu Tho province, Cockcrow Glutinous Rice features sticky, tender, and aromatic glutinous rice. To enhance its allure, diners can pair this dish with sesame salt or savor it alongside grilled hill chicken.
Palm Leaf Sticky Rice
“No matter where you go – Palm Leaf Sticky Rice belongs to Phu Ninh.”
In Phu Ninh, Phu Tho province, palm trees flourish. Each year, during palm season, locals collect young palm leaves, briefly roast them over fire, and use them to wrap rice. Depending on individual preferences, the rice can be wrapped into large or small portions. The combination of rural rice aroma and palm leaf fragrance creates an unforgettable experience for those who have tasted it. The flavor becomes richer when dipped in sesame salt, lemongrass salt, or salted fried pork.
Hung King Pomelo
When visiting the land of the Hung Kings, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy Hung King Pomelo. This variety of pomelo boasts white flesh, abundant juice, a subtly sweet flavor, and an intoxicating aroma. With each bite, it feels as though you're savoring the essence of Phu Tho's land and sky. The best pomelos are found in Chi Dam and Bang Luan communes of Doan Hung district. With this specialty, you can bring back gifts for your loved ones and friends.
Heart of Palm Salad
Palm Heart Delight is a culinary delight exclusive to Phu Tho. Mature palm fruits, round in shape with thick shells, possess a rich, bitter taste, cleaned thoroughly before being cooked. After simmering for 5 to 10 minutes, the palm fruits become soft and tender, with a dark brown color. You can enjoy this palm dish with fish sauce or soup powder, sesame salt, and more. At this point, diners can relish the sweet, bitter, and savory taste of the palm fruits.
Braised Fish with Tram Fruit
During the 5th and 6th lunar months every year, Phu Tho harvests tram fruits, marking the prime time for Braised Fish with Tram Fruit.
Tram fruits come in two varieties: ripe and sour. Among them, sour tram fruits are the main ingredient for this exquisite dish. When braised with fish, the sourness of tram fruits permeates the tender fish, adding a hint of tanginess. Additionally, the sweetness of the sauce and the protein-rich fish complement the sourness of tram fruits, resulting in a delightful sweet and creamy flavor. This unique taste will leave travelers with an unforgettable culinary experience, no matter which way they wander.
Sour Pork
Sour Pork is a specialty of Thanh Son region, Phu Tho. The main ingredient is lean pork from the Muong people, known for its firm texture and distinctive aroma. The meat is thinly sliced, marinated with spices, then grilled over charcoal. Afterwards, it's mixed with roasted rice powder and packed into bamboo tubes along with guava leaves for fermentation (5 – 6 days). Sour Pork can be enjoyed with fresh herbs like mint, basil, guava leaves, and ginseng leaves.
The fragrant aroma and sweet flavor of the meat combined with the bitterness and aroma of various leaves and herbs leave a lasting impression on diners.
Stone Moss
In Thanh Son district and Dong Son commune, Thu Cuc in Tan Son district, Phu Tho, moss is harvested from swiftly flowing streams with many rocky outcrops (where the moss thrives). Afterwards, the moss is marinated with spices and wrapped in layers of papaya leaves. The wrapped moss is then roasted over hot charcoal until the papaya leaves turn black. At that point, diners can savor a dish with a fragrant aroma and a uniquely delicious taste, found only in Phu Tho.
Palm Worms
The main ingredient of this dish is palm worms. Afterwards, the worms are roasted on an earthen stove containing fragrant palm tree leaves. Once roasted, the aroma of the palm tree and the earthy taste of the worms will captivate you. If you enjoy this dish during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day – when the weather is not scorching hot, diners will relish an unforgettable rich flavor.
Fish and Arrowroot Soup
The main ingredients for this dish are arrowroot and wild fish. Specifically, the arrowroot must be young, plump, and have a fine layer of powder on the shoots. The arrowroot is marinated with spices and fermented for 4 to 5 days. Then it is cooked together with fish. When tasted, you will find the fish and arrowroot both tender but not mushy. The sweetness of the fish and arrowroot blends with the sourness to create a delicate and refreshing dish.
These dishes will help you understand more about Phu Tho. The uniqueness and meticulousness in the preparation have created delicious and sophisticated flavors for the cuisine of this land. Be sure to jot down these dishes for an enjoyable pilgrimage to this 'land of extraordinary people'.
