Buzz
Not only renowned for its natural mountainous landscapes and crisp, chilly air, Sapa captivates travelers with unique and distinctive cuisines, infused with the flavors of the Northwest mountains. Let's explore the delectable dishes that make a lasting impression on visitors from all around.
Bamboo-tube Cooked Sticky Rice
Bamboo-tube cooked sticky rice is a distinctive dish of the ethnic minorities in the Northwest region of our country. It features glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes. Once fully cooked, the outer burnt layer of bamboo is removed, leaving a thin, crispy layer that is easy to peel while enjoying the rice. This dish is widely popular and loved for the impressive taste of glutinous rice, spring water, and the subtle aroma of bamboo.
Seven-color Sticky Rice
Seven-color sticky rice is deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the Nung ethnic group in Muong Khuong, Lao Cai. The seven colors of the sticky rice include bright pink, vivid red, deep red, sky blue, golden yellow, leaf green, and bright yellow, all made from various natural forest leaves. The locals believe that eating this rice on festive occasions brings good luck and fortune.
Stolen Armpit Pig
You may easily encounter locals carrying pigs or even sneakily tucked under their arms to sell at markets, hence the name 'Stolen Armpit Pig.' This unique breed of pig in the highlands roams freely, and when the pig weighs around 20kg after about a year, it is sold for its meat. 'Stolen Armpit Pig' is renowned and is used in the preparation of various delicious dishes in upscale restaurants.
Grilled Delicacies
In the chilly atmosphere here, make sure not to forget indulging in grilled delights, aromatic and diverse, such as skewered local pork, grilled pork belly, quail, rolled beef with mustard greens on skewers, or beef rolled with shiitake mushrooms on skewers. Mustard greens are a local specialty, and the unique bitter taste lingering on the tongue will captivate visitors.
Sapa Peaches
The sweet, sour, crisp, and uniquely fragrant taste of authentic Sapa peaches is irresistible. The peach orchards laden with fruit around the town always attract visitors from the lowlands when they come to Sapa. A basket of Sapa peaches will undoubtedly be a precious gift from the Northwest land to friends and family.
Additionally, if you visit a restaurant here, don't forget to order the Baked Apple Cake accompanied by Sapa honey.
Victory Feast
Victory Feast is a specialty of the Hmong people, often found in their villages and markets. Sapa's Victory Feast is mainly prepared with horse meat, a pot of Victory Feast includes meat, heart, liver, lungs, horse blood, and 12 spices: cinnamon, star anise, lemongrass, ginger, and various traditional spices, with the 'victory plant' being the 12th spice. When eating, the broth is ladled into a hotpot, and slices of horse meat are added.
Victory Feast is usually served with various dipping vegetables like mustard greens, water spinach, and hotpot cabbage,... Enjoying Victory Feast must be accompanied by corn wine, a strong, warm, and fragrant spirit distilled from the essence of the mountains. When the food and drink blend together, it creates a pleasant and unforgettable experience.
Smoked Meat
A common dish among the ethnic minorities in Sapa. Smoked meat is made from the shoulder and loin of pork, buffalo, cow, or horse. To prepare smoked meat, the fat and tendons are carefully removed, cut into 2-3 cm thick square pieces, then marinated with mac khen leaves, rock salt, chili, and wild banana seeds. Finally, it is hung on a kitchen rack over the fire, where the heat and smoke not only preserve the meat but also impart a unique flavor to each piece. Stir-frying smoked meat with mustard greens creates a remarkably tasty dish, enough to captivate distant travelers.
Black Chicken (or Evil Chicken)
A unique breed of chicken owned by the Hmong people, with black skin, meat, and bones. The firm, flavorful chicken meat and crispy skin provide a captivating sensation for the taste buds. Studies have shown that black chicken not only enhances vitality but also has special medicinal properties in treating cardiovascular diseases. The most famous dish prepared from Sapa's black chicken is honey-grilled chicken. The aromatic grilled chicken, paired with mint leaves and dipped in salt, pepper, and lime, is sure to satisfy even the most discerning diners.
Evil chicken is quite small, around 1.2kg each, with a pitch-black 'skin' that may seem a bit intimidating at first glance. Evil chicken can be prepared in various ways, but the most popular is honey-grilled evil chicken. Enjoying the freshly grilled evil chicken with mint leaves and dipping in salt, pepper, and lime is a must. Any traveler who comes here and hasn't tried this dish will surely feel their Sapa journey is incomplete.
Salmon
Salmon has been successfully farmed in Sapa thanks to its cool climate, resembling the climate of Europe and North America, the natural habitat of salmon. Unlike fatty and oily imported salmon, the Sapa-raised salmon has firm, beautiful pink flesh, a meaty texture, less fat, and high nutritional value. It can be prepared into various dishes, with highlights like salmon salad, salmon hotpot, and grilled salmon. As a result, salmon is becoming a luxurious dish to treat travelers when they visit Sapa.
Synthetic Ice Cream
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Explore: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourNovember 23, 2015
