Top 7 Must-Try Dining Spots in Lang Son

Phở Chua is a beloved Lang Son specialty, renowned for its intricate preparation and incredibly appetizing flavor. To truly appreciate its unique taste, you need to savor it slowly. When visiting Lang Son, make sure to try this dish at Phở Chua Phương Thảo.

Phở Chua Phương Thảo is a popular spot highly rated by customers. The pho noodles are carefully prepared to achieve the perfect balance of chewy and firm texture. The dish is complemented by crispy, golden fried potatoes and thin slices of meat sautéed with oil for extra crunch. Ingredients include fried pork liver, roasted pork belly, and roasted duck. The pho broth is made from a mixture of garlic, vinegar, sugar, and MSG, ensuring a light, refreshing flavor without feeling greasy. The pho broth itself is made from duck fat, giving it a rich, aromatic taste, enhanced by spices used in the roasting process. All ingredients are prepped ahead of time, and the final mix is made only when the customer orders. The key to success lies in perfectly combining the ingredients without breaking them, allowing the flavors to fully infuse.

Bánh Cuốn Bà Loan is one of the best spots to enjoy egg bánh cuốn when you're in Lang Son. The bánh cuốn dough is made from finely ground, pure white rice flour. Once the bánh is steamed and ready, the chef cracks two eggs onto the sides of the bánh, then covers it to let the egg whites set while the yolk remains slightly runny, forming a thin layer that keeps the egg intact.

Gathering around the warm charcoal stove, hearing the crackling fire, and sipping a cup of hot tea while enjoying these egg bánh cuốn with a simple dipping sauce made from braised meat, thick, flavorful fat, and fresh herbs makes for a truly peaceful Lang Son experience. The unique part of eating these bánh cuốn is carefully taking a bite, allowing the egg yolk to burst in your mouth and blend with the creamy, rich, savory-sweet braised meat sauce. This is where the true refinement of Lang Son's culinary culture shines. To try this irresistible dish, be sure to visit Bánh Cuốn Bà Loan!

Bánh Chưng Đen (also known as Bánh Chưng Cẩm) is a unique variety of sticky rice cake wrapped in a cylindrical shape, similar to the Southern Vietnamese Bánh Tét or the traditional Bánh Gù of the Giay people. However, this specialty from the Tay people of Bắc Sơn district in Lang Son stands out with its glossy black color, tightly wrapped around firm, plump rice grains that intrigue many who see it for the first time. This traditional delicacy is handmade, and you can find it at Bánh Chưng Đen Bắc Sơn, located at the Quỳnh Sơn Community Cultural Tourism Village.

The cakes are about 30 cm long and 6-7 cm in diameter, tightly wrapped with long strings of lạt (bamboo leaves). Before boiling, the cakes are soaked in cold water and then cooked for 4 to 5 hours until tender. To serve, the strings are used to cut the cakes into slices. From the outside, the Bánh Chưng Đen appears soft and sticky, with a golden-yellow mung bean filling, aromatic with the scent of fried shallots, pepper, and dong leaves. The sight alone is enough to captivate anyone, offering a tempting view of this mountain-region delicacy. To try this wonderful treat, visit Bánh Chưng Đen Bắc Sơn!

Have you ever heard of pho bo or pho ga? When you visit Lang Son, you’ll have the chance to try a unique twist—Phở Vịt Quay (roast duck pho). To taste this delicious and intriguing dish, head to Phở Vịt Quay Hải Xồm. The duck used here is carefully chosen from the Thất Khê breed. It is marinated with a blend of spices, then coated with a light layer of honey so that, when roasted, the skin turns a golden brown with a beautiful glossy sheen. The duck is roasted over glowing embers, then deep-fried to achieve a perfect crispiness. The roasted duck is chopped into bite-sized pieces and beautifully plated.

The duck’s natural juices, collected from its belly, are used to make the broth for the pho, adding a deep, savory flavor. The pho at Phở Vịt Quay Hải Xồm is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offering rich, tender duck meat that’s flavorful but not greasy, perfectly complemented by aromatic, chewy pho noodles and a clear, slightly sweet broth that hits the spot. If you’re unsure what to try in Lang Son, don’t hesitate to pick this delicious roast duck pho—it’s sure to satisfy your taste buds at Phở Vịt Quay Hải Xồm!

Khâu nhục, also known as 'nam khâu' in some areas, is a traditional dish originating from China. It was adapted and modified by the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Vietnam and has become a renowned specialty of Lang Son. Often served during family celebrations such as Lunar New Year and weddings, this dish is meticulously prepared from pork belly, marinated in a variety of spices, and steamed for several hours. In Lang Son, you can experience this dish at Nhà Hàng Thảo Viên.

Nhà Hàng Thảo Viên is a beloved restaurant, favored by both locals and tourists. The dishes are carefully crafted using fresh ingredients and well-balanced seasonings. The menu at Nhà Hàng Thảo Viên is extensive and diverse. The khâu nhục here is served with great attention to detail—when you flip the bowl of meat onto the plate, the skin should be golden and aromatic. This dish is typically served with rice or sticky rice, but the best way to enjoy it is with bánh gật gù, a traditional rice cake.

Áp Chao is a truly unique dish you should try when visiting Lang Son. Originating from China, it was adapted in Vietnam and blended with local tastes, becoming a distinctive delicacy of Lang Son. You can enjoy this dish at Áp Chao Xuân Sửu Lạng Sơn. The dish is made from duck, but prepared in a rather special way. The duck is divided into two dishes: one with duck fried in oil and seasoned with aromatic herbs, and the other with duck wrapped in sticky rice flour and deep-fried to a crispy golden brown.

Visually, the golden duck meat alongside fresh green vegetables is enough to whet your appetite. The oil-fried duck is served with a dipping sauce made from spices, chili, vinegar pickled sour bamboo shoots, and 'mắc mật' (a traditional spice), giving it a savory and tangy flavor. The sticky rice-wrapped duck is paired with a dipping sauce made from green papaya, vinegar, and chili. The chewy texture of the sticky rice flour contrasts wonderfully with the sweet, crispy duck. Enjoying this dish while sipping Mẫu Sơn wine with friends in the cool breeze of the mountains, savoring the rich flavors and the heat of ginger and chili, is the true experience of Lang Son's cuisine.

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