Unforgettable Top 10 Delicacies in Hoa Binh

In recent years, Hoa Binh has firmly established its position and tourism development potential on the map of Vietnam. The most vivid evidence is the increasing number of resorts and accommodations in Hoa Binh. When visiting Hoa Binh, tourists can explore picturesque attractions such as Fairy Cave, Thang Thien Waterfall, Thung Khe Pass, and more.

Top 10 Must-Try Delicacies in Hoa Binh

Not only renowned for its majestic and mesmerizing landscapes, but Hoa Binh also offers delectable dishes that leave diners in awe.

Introduction to Com Lam - A Local Delicacy

Topping the list of delicious dishes in Hòa Bình is bamboo tube rice. Although not indigenous to Hòa Bình, bamboo tube rice from Hòa Bình boasts a unique flavor. It is made from premium glutinous rice along with rich coconut milk. This dish is quite popular in restaurants and eateries across various regions such as Tân Lạc, Mai Châu, and Kim Bôi.

When indulging in bamboo tube rice, diners can clearly perceive the sweet and fragrant taste of glutinous rice. (Image source: Collected)

What sets Hòa Bình bamboo tube rice apart is its distinct flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. To create the authentic Hòa Bình bamboo tube rice, the cook must soak the glutinous rice overnight for 8 - 10 hours. Afterwards, the rice will be mixed with shredded coconut. Finally, they will compress them into long bamboo tubes approximately 30 cm in length. During compression, a bit of coconut milk will be added, and the tubes will be tightly sealed with sugar cane. The bamboo tube rice will be grilled for about 2 hours over a wood stove until the rice is cooked through.

• Reference address: Mường Động Restaurant (Kim Bôi, Hòa Bình)

Bitter grapefruit leaf rolls

Bitter grapefruit leaf rolls are a delectable dish from Hòa Bình originating from the Muong ethnic group. The Muong people often use bitter grapefruit leaf rolls to entertain honored guests during festivals and Tet holidays. This dish boasts a diverse combination of flavors such as spicy, bitter, and sweet. Additionally, this specialty is rich in nutrients, aiding in good digestion and stable blood circulation.

To prepare this dish, bitter grapefruit leaves are wrapped around a filling of minced meat and sprinkled with a few spices inside. Afterwards, the bitter grapefruit leaf rolls will be grilled over charcoal until they turn a golden color. When enjoying, you will experience the crispiness of the grapefruit leaves and the tender sweetness of the pork inside. This dish often reminds us of betel leaf-wrapped beef. However, bitter grapefruit leaf rolls have a slightly bitter taste.

• Reference address: Mường Kitchen Restaurant (Mineral Spring Tourism Area, Kim Bôi, Hòa Bình)

Grilled Đà River fish

The Đà River flowing through Hòa Bình province has brought abundant aquatic resources to the area. Most notably, the Đà River fish. The people of Hòa Bình have utilized the delicious fish from the Đà River to create the renowned grilled Đà River fish dish. Due to living in a natural environment, Đà River fish are firm, sweet, and low in fat.

Grilled Đà River fish is cooked over charcoal, emitting a rich aroma. (Image source: Collected)

After catching Đà River fish, they are cleaned and skewered onto small bamboo sticks. Finally, they are sun-dried until dry before being grilled over charcoal. Prior to grilling, the cook has marinated them with salt and various spices such as ginger, lemongrass, and shallots to enhance the aroma. During the grilling process, the chef must continuously fan them to prevent burning or loss of aroma. This is one of the most popular delicious dishes in Hòa Bình favored by locals.

• Reference address: King Fish Palace Restaurant (Left bank commercial center of the Đà River, Hữu Nghị, Hòa Bình City)

Loóng soup

Loóng soup is a familiar delicious dish in Hòa Bình served in every meal of the locals. It is made from boiled meat broth with thinly sliced wild banana stems, offering a delicious aroma. To prepare loóng soup, people gather wild banana stems from the forest and peel off the outer skin. Then, they slice them thinly, mince them, and marinate them with salt. Finally, they add various ingredients to the meat broth and simmer over charcoal for about 30 minutes. Before enjoying, diners can sprinkle some crushed roasted sesame seeds and finely chopped wild betel leaves.

Can wine

Can wine is brewed from leaf yeast combined with glutinous rice and bran. The key to the success of Hòa Bình can wine lies in the yeast. The leaf yeast is made from the 'trơ trẳng' tree along with ingredients such as galangal, jackfruit leaves, guava leaves, wild fruit, mountain leaves, etc.

• Reference address: Mường Vang Can Wine (Thành Lập commune, Lương Sơn, Hòa Bình)

Mai Châu sticky rice

Mai Châu sticky rice is a precious ingredient of the Thai people in Hòa Bình. The rice grains are sown and harvested in terraced fields and harvested when ripe. Mai Châu sticky rice comes in various colors as it is extracted from natural ingredients without the use of chemical dyes.

Mai Châu sticky rice is often decorated on banana leaves with 5 handfuls of sticky rice in different colors. (Image source: Collected)

Mai Châu sticky rice is typically prepared as five-color sticky rice symbolizing the five elements. This is considered the distinctive feature of Mai Châu sticky rice that you cannot find anywhere else.

• Reference address: Bản Lác Area, Mai Châu, Hòa Bình

Sour bamboo shoot cooked with chicken

To prepare the authentic sour bamboo shoot cooked with chicken dish, one must choose Lạc Sơn chicken - the finest chicken breed in Hòa Bình. Lạc Sơn chicken lives exclusively on limestone mountains and drinks from the Bưởi River, resulting in firm and chewy meat.

The Lạc Sơn chicken is thoroughly cleaned and then chopped into small pieces. Subsequently, the chef will marinate it with sour bamboo shoots and various spices for 30 minutes. Next, they will boil the chicken over a moderate wood fire. The chicken will be simmered for about 1 - 2 hours until tender along with the bamboo shoots. Finally, diners only need to add crushed roasted sesame seeds to enjoy.

Sour bamboo shoot cooked with chicken soup is a harmonious blend of mild sweetness and tangy sourness. (Image source: Collected)

Sour bamboo shoot cooked with chicken has the distinctive sour taste of bamboo shoots and the rich, fatty taste of chicken. Additionally, diners can enjoy it with noodles to create the renowned sour bamboo shoot and chicken noodle dish.

Buffalo meat with lồm leaves

Buffalo meat with lồm leaves is a delicious dish in Hòa Bình that can 'conquer' every culinary enthusiast. The buffalo meat is stewed with lồm leaves until tender for enjoyment. Despite the tender buffalo meat, it is not overly fatty but soaked with the refreshing sourness of lồm leaves, avoiding any feeling of heaviness.

Buffalo meat with lồm leaves carries the rich flavor of buffalo meat intertwined with the bitter taste of lồm leaves. (Image source: Collected)

• Reference address: Hoa Quả Sơn Restaurant (Kim Đức, Kim Bôi, Hòa Bình)

Savor the Delight of Boiled Pig Trotters

Boiled Pig Trotters, a delightful dish from Hòa Bình, can leave a lasting impression on every diner with its sweet aroma and natural flavors. The unique method of preparing pork adds depth to its taste.

After boiling, the tender meat is thinly sliced and ready to be enjoyed. The flavor of pig trotters reaches new heights when paired with a tangy sauce. In addition to boiling, the indigenous pigs of Hòa Bình can be prepared in various ways such as grilling, roasting, stir-frying, and more.

• Reference Address: Thung Nai Tourist Area, Hòa Bình Province

Discover the Exquisite Cam Cao Phong

In addition to enjoying delicious dishes in Hòa Bình, visitors can also purchase gifts for their loved ones. Among them, Cam Cao Phong is one of the fruits that contribute to the reputation of Hòa Bình, suitable for gifting. The most impressive feature of Cam Cao Phong is its thin peel, sweet taste, few seeds, and long shelf life.

Cam Cao Phong has become a popular gift choice for many tourists after each trip (Photo Source: Collected)

• Reference Address: Cam Cao Phong Orchard (Chiềng Hamlet, Cao Phong, Hòa Bình)

Here are the top 10 must-try dishes in Hòa Bình. We hope with these recommendations, you'll discover more tantalizing specialties from this Northwestern region. Contact Mytour at 19003398 for affordable tours to Northern Vietnam!