Top 10 Most Delicious Specialty Dishes in Nam Định You Shouldn't Miss.

Nam Định is known for its tranquil landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and traditional festivals, as well as historical landmarks. Additionally, its cuisine leaves a strong impression on visitors. If you haven't tried the delicious dishes here, you've only experienced half of what Nam Định has to offer. These seemingly ordinary dishes are unique specialties, each with its own regional flavor and distinctive characteristics. With its traditional flavors and irreplaceable features, Nam Định cuisine has long attracted locals and visitors alike. The following article will introduce you to some of Nam Định's famous specialty dishes, and we hope you'll be able to fully enjoy their wonderful flavors.

Nam Định Beef Pho

Nam Định Beef Pho is a well-known dish that diners everywhere are familiar with. It's a famous Nam Định specialty that stretches from the North to the South and has been praised by countless diners for its deliciousness. If you have the chance to visit Nam Định, you must try this beef pho dish, guaranteed to captivate you. Overall, the small, soft, and resilient pho noodles, combined with the fragrant, rich bone broth, and the savory aroma of beef, along with tender and sweet beef slices. Depending on individual preferences, some may find pho even more delicious when accompanied by lime and chili.

1. Cụ Tặng Beef Pho Restaurant - 23 Hàng Tiện, Quang Trung, Nam Định City, Nam Định
2. Đán Beef Pho Restaurant - 117 Bắc Ninh, Nguyễn Du, Nam Định City, Nam Định

Steamed Bun with BBQ Pork

Steamed bun with BBQ pork is certainly no stranger to the locals here. This petite bun is the perfect combination of fragrant pastry and a filling consisting of minced BBQ pork, eggs, flour, a bit of lard, and the distinctive spices of the people of Nam Định. It would be wonderful to choose a fragrant and rich steamed bun with BBQ pork on a cool afternoon.

1. Hạnh Phúc Steamed Bun Shop - 28 Nguyễn Trãi, Phan Đình Phùng, Nam Định City, Nam Định
2. Kim Ngân Steamed Bun Shop - 10 Nguyễn Văn Trỗi, Năng Tĩnh, Nam Định City, Nam Định

Giao Thủy Rolled Spring Rolls

Giao Thủy Rolled Spring Rolls are a famous specialty of the Giao Thủy district in Nam Định province, made from pork, pork skin, roasted rice powder, garlic, fish sauce, fig leaves, and 'Dinh Nang' leaves... This dish is beloved by many and is the perfect choice for enjoying with family, friends, and loved ones. When you bite into it, you'll be greeted by the complex aroma of the rolls. Enjoyed with fig leaves and savory, spicy, sweet fish sauce, it's simply irresistible.

1. Phượng Chinh Rolled Spring Rolls Restaurant - Đại Đồng Market, Hamlet 22, Giao Lạc, Giao Thuỷ, Nam Định
2. Thuyên Loan Shop - 373 Trần Nhân Tông, Phan Đình Phùng, Nam Định City, Nam Định

Thorn Leaf Cake

Nam Định Thorn Leaf Cake is a famous local delicacy known for its delicious and chewy texture. Its delightful flavor comes from a mixture of glutinous rice flour and pandan leaf powder, enhanced by the rich filling of mung bean, coconut, peanuts, and fatty pork. It's not just a rustic delicacy but also a meaningful gift option.

Dồi Candy

Dồi Candy, originating from Nam Định, has long been a favorite snack, now gaining popularity nationwide. Made from sugar, malt, vanilla, peanuts, its outer layer, crafted from sugar and malt, presents a sweet, crispy, and mildly fragrant white coating. Inside, you'll find a chewy peanut filling, creating a delectable treat with a rich sweetness that's not overpowering.

Siu Châu Candy

In addition to dồi candy, Nam Định offers the enticing Siu Châu candy. The main ingredients of Siu Châu candy include sugar, peanuts, sesame seeds, and malt. When you bite into it, you'll taste the gentle sweetness of the candy shell and the fragrant nuttiness of the peanuts inside, creating a delicious treat with a rich sweetness that's not overpowering.

1. Kim Thành Hoa Siu Châu Candy Store - 122 P. Minh Khai, Vị Hoàng, Nam Định City, Nam Định
2. Thanh Lan Siu Châu Candy Company - 717 Điện Biên, Lộc Hòa, Nam Định City, Nam Định

Kênh Village Steamed Rolls

Steamed rolls, a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, are widely available across the country due to the abundance of rice, the main ingredient. However, for authentic steamed rolls, one must try those from Thanh Trì (Hanoi) and Kênh Village (Nam Định). Kênh Village steamed rolls are as thin as silk yet resilient, boasting a pristine white color and a delicate fragrance from the ancient Mộc Tuyền rice variety. The rolls are exceptionally smooth, unmistakably identifiable by touch alone. They are typically served with a dipping sauce featuring a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, making it an irresistible delicacy.

1. Bà Bê Steamed Roll Shop - Trương Hán Siêu, Lộc Hòa, Nam Định City, Nam Định
2. Kênh Village Steamed Roll Shop, Đức 29 Trương Hán Siêu - 27 Trương Hán Siêu, Lộc Hòa, Nam Định City, Nam Định

Lychee Cake

When it comes to Nam Định specialties, lychee cake is a must-mention. Once you try a piece of Nam Định lychee cake, you'll remember it forever. The cake boasts the aroma of eggs, the chewiness of glutinous rice, the sweetness of sugar, and a crispy texture. Skillfully crafted by artisans, each cake is perfectly rounded, with a shiny golden hue, offering a delightful crunch and sweetness with every bite.

1. Lưu Tuệ Lychee Cake - 83 Village 6, Yên Định Town, Hải Hậu District, Nam Định
2. Vân Đích Lychee Cake - 25 Area 6, Yên Định Town, Hải Hậu District, Nam Định

Royal Bananas at Dragon Market

The Royal Bananas are prominently sold at Nam Định's Dragon Market because they are considered the 'royal' variety, reserved for kings in ancient times. These bananas are small in size with thin skins but offer a uniquely fragrant and delicious taste compared to other types. Among bananas, the Royal variety boasts the most beautiful appearance, from its clusters to its individual fruits. With its slender shape, emerald-green leaves, fiery red flowers, and golden fruits, the Royal Bananas resemble a gentle maiden in the morning sun, delicately weaving golden threads for their homeland.

Sweet Soup Kho

Kho Sweet Soup, a specialty of Nam Định, has a rather unique name. Its preparation method is not as complicated as many might think. The dish mainly consists of mung beans, cooked until they become smooth and chewy with a sweet taste. This sweet soup is often served to guests during festive occasions and religious ceremonies. With each bite of Kho Sweet Soup accompanied by a sip of lotus tea, one can truly appreciate the fragrant, sweet flavor melded with a refreshing sensation, capturing the essence of the harmonious blend of earth and sky in the early spring and the sincere hospitality of the host.

With the suggestions above, we hope to provide you with useful information and the excitement to prepare for a Nam Định food tour in the near future. Affordable prices, enticing flavors, and unforgettable blends are sure to leave you and your family satisfied.

Posted by: Trúc Nguyễn Thị

Keywords: Top 10 must-try specialty dishes in Nam Định that you shouldn't miss.