Buzz
As December arrives, Sapa, located in the northwest of the country, adorns itself with a new cloak of mystical mist that envelops the mountain town, blending perfectly with the breathtaking natural beauty and the welcoming people. When winter starts to creep in, it is also the time for Sapa tourism to prepare to welcome visitors from afar, offering the chance to admire the majestic landscape or enjoy the famous dishes from this remote highland region when the cold sets in. Sapa is known for its simple yet exquisitely sophisticated culinary culture. Take the opportunity to visit Sapa and taste the rich flavors of the Northwestern mountains.
5 signature dishes of Sapa to try as winter approaches
Honey-grilled Black Chicken
The black chicken, also called Sapa's black-feathered chicken, has firm meat due to being raised in the wild. Its skin is black, and when roasted, it becomes crispy. Each mature black chicken weighs around 1 kg, making it a local specialty in Sapa. The black chicken can be prepared in various ways, but honey-grilled black chicken is a dish that you must try when visiting Sapa.
Honey-grilled Black Chicken from Sapa - Illustration
For a truly flavorful dish, the chicken is kept whole, cleaned, and then coated with pure honey. It is roasted over glowing charcoal until it is evenly cooked and golden. The chicken is best enjoyed with salt, pepper, lime, and mint leaves. Domestic travelers can find this dish in Sapa’s food areas, with prices starting from around 120,000 VND per plate.
Native Pig
The native pig, also known as the 'pig under the arm,' is a traditional specialty of the mountainous regions, deeply rooted in the culture of the indigenous people of the Northwest. The Sapa native pig, weighing only 4 to 6 kg, has an irresistible appeal to tourists, with its sweet, fragrant meat and crispy skin. Raised freely by the H'mong people, the meat is lean, firm, and low in fat.
Native pig meat, a specialty of Sapa - Illustration
Native pig meat is prepared in various delicious ways, ranging from simple to complex dishes such as steamed meat, whole roasted pig, skewered grilled meat, and more, all served with local spices or a variety of dipping sauces, creating truly exquisite meals. A plate of native pig meat starts at 80,000 VND.
Enjoying the native pig meat while sipping a cup of apple cider or traditional corn wine amidst the cool weather of Sapa is sure to be an unforgettable experience for visitors from afar.
Sapa Grilled Food
On chilly winter days in Sapa, grilled food is always the perfect choice for your Sapa trip. If you visit Sapa on your own and haven't experienced the joy of savoring grilled delicacies in the freezing cold of a Sapa night market, then you have yet to fully taste the flavors of the Northwest.
Sapa Grilled Food - Illustration
In this cold highland region, almost anything can be grilled, and surprisingly, every dish turns out delicious, leaving visitors praising the warmth and flavors despite the biting winds that sweep through.
Take a stroll through the night market and try some of Sapa’s famous grilled dishes like mushroom-wrapped meat, chicken wings, eggs, roasted potatoes, grilled corn, and sweet potato cakes—all at incredibly affordable prices, with each dish costing just 10,000 VND.
Cold Water Salmon Hotpot
The salmon found in the cold waters of Sapa is known for being low in fat, firm in texture, and highly nutritious. Because of this, many visitors to Sapa find it hard to resist the tempting aroma of a steaming hotpot of salmon, rich with the deep flavors of a broth made from simmered fish bones.
Sapa Salmon Hotpot - Illustration
A traditional salmon hotpot is typically served with local Northwestern vegetables such as Mèo cabbage and fresh chayote greens. To enjoy a warm and flavorful hotpot, you can visit local restaurants where a meal for about four people will cost around 500,000 VND.
Thắng Cố
Regarded as a Sapa specialty, Thắng Cố is not an easy dish to stomach. It is a traditional H'mong dish made with horse and cow innards. To enhance its rich flavor, the H'mong people season it with 27 different spices, including cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and aromatic leaves.
Sapa's Thắng Cố Specialty - Illustration
Traditional thắng cố, a unique dish, is often sold by the H’mong people during market days and is cooked in a large pot, simmering the ingredients for several hours. However, to make it simpler and more accessible for tourists, those visiting Sapa on a budget typically head to restaurants offering this dish at an affordable price, around 30,000 VND per bowl.
