Top 10 Must-Try Dishes in Vinh City, Nghe An

When visiting Nghe An, you cannot miss trying Bánh Mướt. This dish, similar to northern bánh cuốn and southern bánh ướt, has its own unique flavor that captures the essence of the region. Bánh mướt is typically made from finely ground rice flour that is steamed, then served either rolled or cut into long strips. The soft, white rice cake is topped with a drizzle of fragrant fried shallot oil, giving it an aromatic appeal. It is often served warm, filling the air with a delightful fragrance.

You can find Bánh mướt everywhere in Nghe An, from roadside eateries in Vinh City to small stalls wrapped in banana leaves in rural markets. To enjoy it, simply dip each piece of Bánh Mướt into a bowl of tangy fish sauce, and pair it with a hearty serving of boiled pork or a bowl of savory broth. For an even richer taste, you can add duck soup or crispy spring rolls on the side.

Vietnam is home to many delicious types of Bánh Xèo, with distinct regional variations in the North, Central, and South. The most famous version, however, is found in Central Vietnam, particularly in Vinh City, Nghe An.

This popular and tasty dish is made by adding oil to a hot pan, followed by a thin layer of batter and filling it with a mix of ingredients. In Vinh City, the pancakes are small but thick, with crispy golden edges and a deliciously oily texture. The traditional filling includes shrimp, squid, and bean sprouts, offering a perfect balance of flavors. After the pancake is cooked, it is often wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, cucumber, and sour mango for a refreshing contrast. To prepare Bánh Xèo, shrimp and pork are stir-fried first, then a thin layer of batter is poured into a hot skillet to form a crispy crust. The filling is added, and the pancake is folded in half to seal in all the flavors. When served, it’s typically wrapped in lettuce leaves or rice paper, dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce for an irresistible taste.

If you're a fan of Chè Khoai Dẻo, make sure not to miss this delicious treat when you visit Vinh City, Nghe An. Chè Khoai Dẻo is a refreshing, flavorful, and nutritious dessert loved by many. This colorful dish combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a creamy coconut milk base, offering a unique and unforgettable taste experience. The great thing about sweet potatoes is their variety of colors and flavors, so no artificial coloring or flavoring is needed.

This dessert originates from Taiwan, where it was traditionally made with taro and tapioca pearls. When it made its way to Vietnam, taro was replaced by the more locally popular sweet potato, which comes in a variety of colors, making the dish even more visually appealing. The result is a sweet and savory dessert, enhanced with the richness of coconut milk, the warmth of ginger, and the natural sweetness of palm sugar or rock sugar. It can be enjoyed either hot or cold, making it a perfect choice for both summer and winter. If you have the chance, be sure to try Chè Khoai Dẻo when you visit Vinh City, Nghe An, for an unforgettable experience.

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm is a simple, rustic dish from Northern Vietnam, commonly enjoyed as a light snack or street food. It has become a beloved specialty in Vinh City, Nghe An, and is a must-try for visitors. The dish typically consists of fresh vermicelli noodles, crispy fried tofu, Vietnamese-style sausage (chả cốm), fermented pork (nem chua), and dog sausage (dồi chó), served with shrimp paste (mắm tôm) mixed with lime, chili, and fresh herbs like perilla, mint, and lettuce. Its affordability and deliciousness make it popular among the locals, with street vendors thriving in the business.

The Bún Đậu platter in Vinh City is a generous serving, featuring tightly pressed rice noodles made from rice flour, golden fried tofu that’s crispy on the outside yet soft and nutty inside. With every bite, you’ll taste the perfect balance of crispy and tender textures. The dish also includes slices of boiled pork leg and crispy chả cốm with a rich, chewy texture. Complementing the dish are fragrant herbs like mint and perilla leaves, along with fresh cucumber slices. The secret to this dish’s mouthwatering appeal lies in the shrimp paste sauce, which is prepared by adding a couple of kumquats, a pinch of sugar, and freshly sliced chili. The result is a well-balanced sauce with a perfect harmony of sweetness, saltiness, tanginess, and heat, enhancing the flavors of this delightful dish.

For many people, breakfast is often overlooked or combined with lunch. However, it is well known that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, influencing your mood, energy, and productivity throughout the day. If you ever find yourself in Vinh City, don't miss the chance to try their delicious Bánh Mì. Freshly baked, crispy baguettes filled with a variety of savory fillings and topped with a special sauce will make your taste buds crave more. The options are endless, from scrambled egg sandwiches, grilled sausage, pate and pork rolls, to mixed meat and grilled skewers. Each filling is prepared with care, from finely chopped green onions to perfectly seasoned salt and pepper. A local favorite is the Bánh Mì Que with pate, which draws many visitors due to its irresistible taste. The attention to detail in every step of preparation is what makes Bánh Mì in Vinh so beloved. Locals often rave about the pate, describing it as the best they’ve ever tasted, with a generous spread of butter and a slice of fat for extra richness. The crispy baguette, quality cold cuts, and fresh cucumber and chili make this simple sandwich an unforgettable experience.

Another must-try dish in Vinh is Nighttime Sticky Rice (Xôi Đêm). Sticky rice is a humble yet iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine, and in Vinh, it takes on a unique character with various types of sticky rice to choose from.

Not only is sticky rice an affordable, delicious, and convenient breakfast, but it is also a popular late-night snack in Vinh. If you’re up late and need something to fill your stomach, a box of hot sticky rice is the perfect comfort food. The late-night stalls in Vinh are always bustling with customers, and the quality of their sticky rice speaks for itself. The rice is cooked just right—sweet and sticky with the perfect level of moisture, complemented by the crispy, salty taste of pickled mustard greens. Add some Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa) and Chinese-style sausage (lạp xưởng), and it becomes a satisfying, hearty meal. There are other options like charcoal sticky rice (xôi nếp than), sweet sticky rice (xôi vò), and crushed green rice (cốm dẹp) to satisfy any craving.

From late afternoon until night, the local Xôi Đêm vendors are always busy, with people buying dozens of boxes at a time. With its variety of flavors and consistency, Xôi Đêm has become a beloved tradition in Vinh. If you ever find yourself in the area, make sure to grab a box and taste the authentic flavors of this popular local dish.

Similar to the bánh bèo from Hue, the bánh bèo in Nghệ An, particularly in Vinh, is infused with the aromas of onions, basil, garlic, and coriander. The traditional bánh bèo of Nghệ An is known for its rich and savory filling, made from seasoned pork and the subtle sweetness of freshwater shrimp, all complemented by a tangy-sweet dipping sauce that makes the dish irresistible. The people of Nghệ An pay great attention to the texture of the bánh bèo’s dough, ensuring it is both chewy and firm, which makes the dough-making process crucial.

Unlike the bánh bèo from Hue, bánh bèo in Vinh is made from tapioca flour. To create the perfect bánh bèo, the dough must be kneaded thoroughly. The filling can be either shrimp or pork, with shrimp carefully selected, cleaned, and sautéed with fragrant shallots. The longer the shrimp is sautéed, the more flavorful and sweet it becomes. When served with the dipping sauce and fresh herbs, the bánh bèo in Vinh offers a unique flavor, with the chewy texture of the tapioca dough, the savory taste of shrimp and pork, and the refreshing crunch of fresh herbs.

Nghệ An is renowned for its eels, especially the local wild eels which are slender, firm, and golden in color with a black stripe running along their backs. They are sweet and flavorful, and are typically caught using a traditional trap or by fishing, though they are less abundant than farmed eels. When visiting Vinh, Nghệ An, you cannot miss trying the famous Cháo Lươn (eel porridge). Farmed eels, although larger and plumper, have a darker color and a mushier texture, which doesn't quite compare to the wild variety.

Making a bowl of traditional Nghệ An eel porridge requires great attention to detail from the chef. First, the wild eels are carefully selected, and the rice for the porridge must be of the finest quality. The eels are meticulously cleaned with ash to remove any slime, then they are gutted, and the meat is seasoned and stir-fried. The key ingredient in this dish is turmeric, which not only gives the porridge its signature golden color but also adds richness and flavor while masking any fishy smell. The eel is stir-fried with chopped chili, fried shallots, pepper, and the distinctive fragrant herbs that grow only in Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh. The final result is a tender and flavorful eel that is perfectly cooked, with the yellow glow of turmeric and green accents of fresh herbs, making it both a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. If you're in Vinh, don’t miss the chance to savor this iconic dish, Cháo Lươn.

One of the iconic dishes in Vinh is not exactly what its name suggests – it's called Cháo Canh. If you're unfamiliar, you might mistake it for a type of porridge, but in reality, it resembles noodle soup more than anything else. In Nghệ An, especially in Vinh, you can find this dish served any time of day, as it’s enjoyed by locals at all hours.

The soft, chewy noodles are typically made from a blend of wheat and rice flour. A popular vendor on Hồng Bàng Street reveals that the dough is mixed with water, kneaded to perfection, then rolled out and cut into strips – all done by hand.

The key to this dish is its broth, made by simmering pork bones with a variety of spices. The longer the bones cook, the richer and more fragrant the broth becomes. The dish is served with noodles, slices of pork, cha (Vietnamese sausage), boiled quail eggs, fish, or shrimp – depending on where you go. A bowl of Cháo Canh is always served steaming hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, and crispy fried shallots. It's best enjoyed in the morning, when you can savor it fresh and steaming. Don’t forget to squeeze a wedge of lime or add a touch of chili to boost the flavor of your Cháo Canh.

Crab Meat Noodle Soup, or Bún Riêu Cua, is a beloved breakfast dish in Nghệ An, and in Vinh, it holds a special place in the hearts of many locals. This traditional Vietnamese dish is a favorite among residents, and it’s widely known throughout the area. If you're in Vinh, you can easily find this dish at Bún Riêu Cua - 48 Đặng Tất, TP Vinh, located on Đặng Tất Street, Vinh City. The restaurant is easy to find, and its crab noodle soup is well-known for its soft noodles and flavorful crab broth, topped with fresh herbs that complete the dish perfectly. On a cool day, nothing beats slurping up a hot bowl of crab noodle soup.

Bún Riêu Cua - 48 Đặng Tất, TP Vinh is a unique place, serving just two dishes: crab noodle soup and vermicelli noodle soup, both of which are incredibly delicious and affordable, making it a great option if you're craving something tasty without breaking the bank. The soup is not just delicious, it's also nutritious: the crab roe provides a rich source of calcium for strong bones, while the meatballs in the soup offer plenty of protein to support muscle growth and boost your immune system.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 48 Đặng Tất, TP. Vinh, Nghệ An

Phone: 0387 143 456 & 0812 007 982

Email: [email protected]

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/bunrieucua48dangtat/

Opening Hours: 06:00 - 11:00