Top 11 Irresistible Dishes that Define the Essence of Nghệ An

Don’t underestimate this dish – a friend from Hanoi once told me how unforgettable Nghệ An’s salted mung bean stems were. This dish, known as salted mung bean stems, is a common sight at markets throughout Nghệ An.

The stems are dried, cut into bite-sized pieces, cleaned, and salted. Sugar and salt are added during the salting process. Once ready, the stems are squeezed dry and mixed with seasonings, a little sugar, and some spices, along with a few lime leaves, bean sprouts, and slices of chili. This simple yet aromatic dish becomes both visually appealing and delicious. After hearing my friend's praise, I paid more attention to this humble snack, and now, every time I return to my hometown, I make sure to stop by a roadside market and grab a small portion for just a few thousand đồng. To me, it represents the deep flavors of my homeland.

Salted mung bean stems is a modest, rustic dish usually sold at local markets. You can enjoy this dish for as little as 3,000 đồng.

Cửa Lò is not only a popular tourist destination but also a hub for seafood in Nghệ An. The local seafood market is brimming with fresh fish and shrimp, making it a top choice for visitors looking to buy seafood souvenirs. However, the dish that leaves a lasting impression on most people is the grilled dancing squid from Cửa Lò.

The fresh squid, still wriggling and lively, is carefully selected, scored with a few slashes, and then grilled over an open flame. The aroma of the squid is irresistible, with its sweet and tender meat. Visitors to Cửa Lò can even rent a basket boat to go squid fishing and have their catch grilled at a local restaurant, ensuring a fresh and delicious experience.

You can enjoy this delightful dish right on Cửa Lò Beach, where a portion of 15 to 20 fresh squids costs about 300,000 đồng per kilogram. For those wanting to buy it as a gift, the Cửa Lò Seafood Market, located on 6th Street in Thu Thủy Ward, offers great prices.

This dish is closely tied to the childhood memories of children from rural villages, as it is a treat only enjoyed during the Lunar New Year.

On New Year's Eve, my grandmother and mother would prepare the glutinous rice flour, and on the 30th night, they would make sweet sticky rice cakes. The round cakes were boiled in hot water until they became translucent and floated to the surface. Using a slotted spoon, the cakes were then cooled in cold water to prevent them from sticking together. Next, honey was added to a pot, and a little ginger was used to enhance the aroma before the honey boiled and the cakes were added to simmer further.

Eating the soft, chewy rice cakes with the sweetness of honey and the spicy warmth of ginger, it was as if the chilly air of New Year's Eve disappeared. Only the warmth of the fire and the sweetness of the honey-filled cakes remained, soothing every fiber of your being. However, to make it easier for tourists to enjoy, this dish is no longer limited to the New Year. You can find it available on regular days as well. You can buy it from Quang Trung Market, starting at 10,000 đồng per bowl, or from street vendors for 10,000 to 15,000 đồng per bowl.

Everyone is familiar with the saying: "Thanh Chương Jackfruit – Nam Đàn Soy Sauce". These dishes are so famous when it comes to Nghệ An.

Thanh Chương fermented jackfruit is made from very simple ingredients: green jackfruit or mature jackfruit and salt. The jackfruit is picked from the tree, peeled, washed to remove the sap, and then cut into strips using a knife. It is then mixed with salt and lightly pounded with a mortar. The mixture is placed into an earthen jar, with a weight on top to press it down. A thin brine is poured over it, and the jar is covered and left to ferment for about 5 to 6 days. Once ready, the fermented jackfruit is crunchy, slightly sour, and delicious. From this fermented jackfruit, many dishes can be made to enjoy with rice, such as dipping it in fish sauce, using it in soups, or stir-frying it – all are equally tasty.

You can try this dish in Thanh Chương markets, with prices ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 đồng per kilogram.

Nam Đàn Soy Sauce is a famous specialty from the Nghệ An region, made primarily from rice, corn, and soybeans (also known as fermented soybeans).

The process of making this soy sauce is quite complex and labor-intensive. The first step involves creating the mold, which is made from corn. This is considered the most challenging part of the soy sauce process and plays a crucial role in determining the success of the product. The next step is preparing the soybeans. The fermentation process usually happens late at night, where the mold and salt are mixed into jars of dried soybeans. The mixture is stirred with bamboo sticks, and the jars are covered to allow the fermentation to occur. Each morning, the jars are opened, and the mixture is stirred again to ensure the ingredients are fully blended.

Nam Đàn Soy Sauce has a balanced taste, with a salty-sweet flavor. When dipped with fermented soybeans, it delivers a rich, unforgettable taste. For the best experience, choose a reputable shop that offers high-quality Nam Đàn soy sauce. It's widely available and sold for about 20,000 VND per liter.

Xã Đoài Oranges are a unique specialty from the Nghi Lộc region. These oranges are harvested around the time of Tết (Lunar New Year). They are known for their fragrant aroma, delicious taste, thin skin, and abundance of juice.

There are two types of Xã Đoài oranges: 'Cam lót' (local name) which resembles a small persimmon, and 'Cam bầu' or 'Cam bù' (dialect names) which is more rounded in shape. When fully ripe, the oranges turn a golden yellow that deepens over time, maintaining a fresh appearance. The peel is thin, and when lightly scratched, it releases a distinctive, fragrant scent. Once peeled, the fruit reveals a vibrant yellow color and a deliciously sweet flavor. If soaked in alcohol, the oranges produce a fragrant, mildly sweet liquor that can serve as an appetizer or a health tonic, especially beneficial for new mothers.

To buy these delectable oranges, visit the orchards in Xã Đoài - Nghi Lộc where they are sold for around 60,000 - 100,000 VND per kilogram. Given their popularity, they sell out quickly, so make sure to purchase early.

Sticky Rice Cake from Dừa is a renowned specialty from Tường Sơn village in Anh Sơn district. The flavor of this sticky rice cake rivals that of the famous cakes from Thanh Hóa and Nam Định.

The ingredients include glutinous rice flour, mung beans, sugar, gai leaves, honey, and dried banana leaves. After purchasing the banana leaves, each one is carefully cleaned, while the glutinous rice is ground into flour, and the mung beans are soaked and peeled. Fresh gai leaves are crushed, or if using dried leaves, they are ground into a fine powder and mixed into the rice flour. After preparing the dough, the filling made of mung beans and coconut is added for that signature taste of Dừa's sticky rice cake. The mixture is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed over a pot of boiling water for a few hours until fully cooked. These cakes are sold at an affordable price of just 2,000 to 2,500 VND per pair.

If you want to taste this delicacy, visit bakeries such as Bà Lài's, Đoài Loan, Ngọc Giáp, Hà Lương, or Bà Lịch's bakery.

Đô Lương has long been famous for its traditional sesame cake making. Using all-natural ingredients like rice, black sesame seeds, and various spices, the people here have created a unique flavored cake.

In the past, the villagers of Vĩnh Đức made the cakes by spreading rice flour mixed with black sesame seeds. To enhance the flavor, modern bakers now add ginger, black pepper, and garlic to the rice flour before making the cakes. The process starts with selecting the rice, which is soaked overnight, cleaned of any debris, and then ground into a smooth batter. The batter is carefully spread onto a cloth over a pot of boiling water. The black sesame seeds (washed and dried) are evenly sprinkled on both sides of the cake. Once cooked, the cakes are placed on bamboo racks to cool before being dried in the sun.

These cakes are highly sought after not just within Vietnam but also by overseas Vietnamese living in countries like Germany, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, and Russia. The large, thick sesame cakes are sold for 2,500 to 3,000 VND each.

When thinking of Diễn Châu, many people immediately associate it with the incredibly delicious steamed rice cake found here. Diễn Châu is home to several famous villages that specialize in making these cakes.

The soft, white cakes are made from rice flour, steamed until perfectly soft, then rolled up and topped with fragrant fried shallots. The process of making these cakes requires skillful hands. The baker swiftly stirs the batter, flips the cakes, and rolls them neatly to ensure they cook evenly without breaking apart. These steamed rice cakes are typically sold by the dozen (ten cakes or more), and you can often find them at the market for a bargain price of 10,000 VND per dozen.

Nghệ An is well-known for its eel, and even in Hanoi or Saigon, you can find restaurants named after Nghệ An eels, showcasing the region's famous delicacy. So, when in Nghệ An, you cannot miss trying the irresistible eel porridge.

The eel is boiled, then shredded into fine pieces, and the broth is used to cook the porridge. When served, the shredded eel meat is placed in a bowl, seasoned with spices and a sprinkle of black pepper, then stirred together. The eel meat is tender and sweet, complementing the sharpness of the pepper. This eel porridge is not only delicious but also highly nutritious, especially for those who are underweight. A bowl of this hearty dish typically costs between 25,000 and 40,000 VND.

This is probably one of the simplest and most humble dishes of the people of Nghệ An. Nghệ An is a poor land, with the scorching Lào wind during the summer and storms in August. Life here is incredibly tough. However, the region’s harsh climate makes Diễn Châu – Nghệ An an ideal place for growing sweet potatoes.

After harvesting, the sweet potatoes are washed, peeled, cut into small pieces, and left to dry under the sun. During the rainy season, people cook the dried sweet potatoes with a bit of sticky rice and beans, creating a delicious dish known as mashed sweet potatoes. This dish is a specialty of Diễn Châu, where the soil is perfect for growing sweet potatoes, making them soft and tasty.

Usually, you can buy mashed sweet potatoes at the markets of Diễn Châu for just 5,000 VND per bundle.