Top 19 Must-Try Specialties in Bắc Giang

When it comes to Mỳ Chũ, nothing compares to the version found in Bắc Giang. Made from Bao Thai Hồng rice, the noodles are smooth, chewy, and delightfully soft. The Bao Thai Hồng rice, essential for Mỳ Chũ, must be cultivated on the hilly lands of Chũ, not in flat fields. The noodles are thin, similar to rice vermicelli, dried, and bundled into small bunches. Mỳ Chũ is commonly used like instant noodles, but the most delicious way to enjoy it is in a hot pot meal.

Thổ Hà Rice Cake is made in Vân Hà commune, Việt Yên district, Bắc Giang province. The locals have been making these rice cakes since 1990, and today it has become one of the province's most famous specialties. What sets Thổ Hà Rice Cake apart is the careful selection of ingredients that give it a distinct, delicious taste. There are two types of rice cakes: the baked and the spring roll variety. The baked rice cakes are golden and crispy, with a fragrant nutty flavor from sesame and peanuts. Meanwhile, the spring roll rice cakes are softer, chewier, and about 40cm in diameter, with a mild, pleasant taste.

Mỹ Độ Sweetened Cake is a traditional dessert often enjoyed during full moon festivals or special holidays. The cake has a rich golden color, the hue of mung beans, and is topped with fragrant roasted sesame seeds. The delightful blend of green bean aroma, the nutty fragrance of sesame, the subtle sweetness from sugar, the creamy hint of oil, and the savory depth of mung beans combine to make this sweet dish even more irresistible.

The name Vắt Vai Cake might leave many people wondering what kind of cake it is. This is a unique dish from the Lục Ngạn region. The ingredients for Vắt Vai Cake include glutinous rice, sugar, mung beans, banana leaves, and mugwort. The rice is finely ground using a stone grinder, and the mugwort leaves are boiled with slaked lime to reduce their bitterness before being finely crushed and mixed with the rice flour. After shaping and wrapping the cakes, they are steamed for about two hours, then left to drain before being served.

Cua Da is a type of crab found in the rocky riverbanks near the Cầu River, typically only appearing during the colder months when temperatures drop. If you visit Bắc Giang in early winter, you'll have the chance to enjoy this delicacy. Cua Da can be prepared in various ways, such as salt-roasted crab or crab soup, but perhaps the most delicious way to enjoy it is in a beer-steamed preparation. Once cooked, the crab turns a tempting golden-orange color. The meat is sweet, while the shell on the legs and claws is surprisingly tender. Serve it with a pinch of seasoning powder, a dab of mustard, and a squeeze of fresh lime for the perfect flavor combination.

Làng Vân Rice Wine has become a unique “brand” and a source of pride for the people of Bắc Giang for generations. This traditional wine is made from yellow glutinous rice, using a secret fermentation process passed down through the generations, involving 36 rare medicinal herbs. The wine must be fermented for exactly 72 hours. It has a clear, transparent appearance and a smooth, mellow taste that has captivated even the most discerning palates.

Nham Fish has become a must-try dish for the people of Hiệp Hòa district in Bắc Giang province. The ingredients are simple, yet flavorful, including black starfruit, pork belly, carp, aromatic herbs, sour starfruit, roasted peanuts, and mint. Additional seasonings such as shallots, lime, chili, and other spices are also used. The dish is especially delicious because of the unique aroma of the starfruit, which adds a rich, nutty flavor. If you visit Bắc Giang, be sure to try this dish at one of the restaurants in Hiệp Hòa or at the local countryside markets.

You might not have heard of or seen this dish before, but Ant Egg Sticky Rice is a signature dish of the Tày ethnic group. The ant eggs are first cleaned and drained. Then, aromatic shallots are sautéed in hot oil before the ant eggs are added and seasoned to taste. The dish is cooked until it releases the rich, savory scent of the ant eggs, blended with the fragrant shallots. Once the sticky rice is cooked, it is fluffed and mixed with the ant eggs. Anyone who tries Ant Egg Sticky Rice will remember its distinctive flavor long after the meal.

Đa Mai Noodles are known for their chewy texture and cool, refreshing taste. Even after being left out all day, they remain as white and fresh as when they were first made, without turning sour. There are four main varieties of Đa Mai noodles: rối noodles, snail-shaped noodles, ba-con noodles, and leaf-shaped noodles (also known as bún lá), with prices ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 VND per kilogram. Not only is Đa Mai a beloved specialty of Bắc Giang, but the craft of making these noodles has also significantly improved the local economy. Today, Đa Mai noodles have gained a strong foothold in the market due to their exceptional quality.

Bố Hạ Oranges are a type of specialty citrus that is often given as a gift, especially around the Lunar New Year. These oranges are sweet, fragrant, and packed with juice. Grown abundantly in Bắc Giang, they reach their peak in December each year, and traders from all over flock to Bố Hạ market to purchase them in bulk. The finest oranges and tangerines are selected for distribution across various provinces.

The Kế Village rice cakes have a unique taste that sets them apart from any other rice cakes. Kế rice cakes are an authentic rural delicacy from northern Vietnam. The key ingredient in these cakes is rice, chosen for its quality, which, after being stored for a while, undergoes a transformation where the rice starch condenses and blends into the translucent grains. The cakes are thinly rolled into round shapes and sprinkled with either black or white sesame seeds, making them irresistibly attractive. This dish is best enjoyed with a cup of green tea or bitter tea, offering a delightful experience.

Lục Nam Na fruits are large, uniform in shape, and sweet. These high-quality fruits stay fresh longer than those from other regions, which makes them a favorite among traders from cities like Hanoi, Vĩnh Phúc, Hải Dương, and Lào Cai.
The Lục Nam Na has received a collective trademark certification from the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (Ministry of Science and Technology), making it a significant source of income for local farmers.

The fertile soil of Yên Dũng, enriched annually by river silt and complemented by favorable weather, has long established this region as a renowned agricultural hub for rice cultivation. When you mention Yên Dũng Fragrant Rice, it is instantly recognized by all.
This rice is distinguished by its large, uniform grains and brilliant white color. Once cooked, it releases a distinctive fragrance, and its texture is delightfully sticky and flavorful, surpassing other rice varieties in taste.

Not only is Yên Dũng Fragrant Rice of exceptional quality, but it also brings significant economic benefits to local farmers. Each hectare of fragrant rice yields over 5 million VND more than regular rice, with relatively low investment in both seeds and labor.

While names like Thai Nguyen tea or Shan Tuyet Suoi Giang tea are widely recognized across Vietnam, few are aware that the Bát Tiên tea from Sơn Động, Bắc Giang, rivals these famous varieties. Bát Tiên Tea is known for its clear infusion with no residue, and it doesn't spoil or discolor cups, making it highly favored in the market. The unique terroir and climate of the region make it ideal for cultivating Bát Tiên, which is renowned for its jasmine-like fragrance and cooling properties.
On a chilly day in the highlands, enjoying a hot cup of this tea, with its signature delicate scent, is a pure delight. The tea’s color is a beautiful clear green, and its subtle aroma lingers, leaving a rich, memorable taste on the tongue.

If you ever have the chance to taste the rice cake from Đồng Quan village in Đồng Sơn, Bắc Giang, you will surely remember its rustic yet rich flavors, something that’s rare to find elsewhere. The Đồng Quan Rice Cake is beloved for its soft, cool texture. The cake is smooth and white, with a delicate sheen, scattered with crunchy, roasted peanuts that add a satisfying bite. It’s typically enjoyed with a rich soy-based dipping sauce, creating a truly authentic, homestyle flavor.

One of the most famous delicacies of Bắc Giang is the Yên Thế Hill Chicken. The meat of this free-range chicken is tender, sweet, and flavorful, unlike the tough and bland factory-farmed chickens. The best way to prepare this chicken is by boiling it just until done, allowing the meat to remain firm and slightly crispy. It’s typically served with a salt and lime leaf dip, while the delicious broth is enjoyed alongside a bowl of rice. This dish is incredibly popular among both locals and visitors.