Top 12 Must-Try Dishes When Visiting Ninh Thuan

Traveling to Ninh Thuan offers not only unique experiences in the 'desert region' but also an opportunity to indulge in a variety of fresh, delectable, and enticing dishes.

1. Bánh Căn, Bánh Xèo Phan Rang

One of the must-try dishes when visiting Ninh Thuan is Bánh Căn, Bánh Xèo Phan Rang. This dish stands out with its four special dipping sauces. Both the Bánh Căn and Bánh Xèo are made from rice flour. The Bánh Xèo is filled with bean sprouts, shrimp, pork, and eggs.

The size of Bánh Căn and Bánh Xèo varies significantly. Bánh Căn is typically smaller than Bánh Xèo. As for the dipping sauces, while Bánh Khọt and Bánh Xèo from the southern provinces only feature a single sweet-sour fish sauce, Bánh Căn and Bánh Xèo Phan Rang – Ninh Thuan come with a variety of dipping options such as peanut fish sauce, sweet-sour chili fish sauce, fermented fish sauce, and braised fish sauce.

2. Bánh Canh Chả Cá Phan Rang

Traveling to Ninh Thuận is famous for its delicious Phan Rang fish cake noodle soup (Bánh Canh Chả Cá). The dish is unique with noodles made from tapioca flour, thicker than regular noodles. What makes the dish stand out is the broth, a sweet and clear stock simmered from fish bones. The fish meat is used as the main ingredient, while the fish bones are used to create the savory broth. A typical bowl of Bánh Canh Chả Cá includes fish cake, noodles, fish meat, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs and pepper to enhance the flavor.

Bún Mắm Nêm has long been a simple yet beloved dish among the people of Ninh Thuận. The key to its deliciousness lies in the mắm (fermented fish paste), made from anchovies, which gives the dish its distinct, rich flavor. The Phan Rang version is often served with fish cakes, boiled pork ears, Vietnamese sausage, eggplant, and a variety of fresh herbs.

4. Phan Rang Grilled Rice Paper (Bánh Tráng Nướng)

Phan Rang's grilled rice paper is a well-known treat with a rich aroma. While it can be found in various places, each region offers its own unique twist. The rice paper in Phan Rang, Ninh Thuận, is made from a special type of fragrant rice flour mixed with sesame seeds and is perfectly thin. The key to its perfect texture is using charcoal to grill it, ensuring an even cook and a fragrant finish.

Creating a perfect grilled rice paper requires a skilled hand. When a customer orders, the vendor quickly spreads a layer of shrimp paste over the rice paper, drizzles a bit of scallion oil, adds some chili sauce, and cracks an egg onto the surface. The mixture is spread evenly and grilled until crispy. Once done, the rice paper is folded in half and served on a plate, or cut into smaller pieces to enjoy bit by bit.

5. Grilled Pork Belly with Rice Vermicelli (Bánh Hỏi Lòng Heo)

Bánh Hỏi Lòng Heo is a well-known dish that you’ll encounter when traveling to Ninh Thuận. The rice noodles used for Bánh Hỏi are made from carefully selected rice and prepared through a meticulous process. The pig's intestines must be fresh and clean, never stored for too long. The true soul of this dish lies in the dipping sauce, which can either be fermented fish paste (mắm nêm), tomato-based sauce, or peanut sauce. The dish is further enhanced with a drizzle of scallion oil. When served, the rice noodles are accompanied by thin, soft rice paper, fresh herbs, Bánh Hỏi, and the pig's intestines, all of which are dipped generously into the flavorful sauce.

6. Ninh Chữ Fish Salad (Gỏi Cá Mai)

For many visitors, Ninh Chữ Fish Salad (Gỏi Cá Mai) might seem like an unusual dish. The fish used is the small, slender Mai fish, roughly the size of a finger. Although it resembles anchovies, it has a milder scent and clearer flesh, making it ideal for salads. Unlike many other fish, the Mai fish is sweet, firm, and not slimy or flaky.

To prepare this salad, the Mai fish is cleaned carefully to avoid damaging the delicate flesh. After removing the bones, the fish is marinated in fresh lime juice. Once plated, the salad is mixed with finely sliced onions and ginger, then topped with toasted peanuts and crispy fried onions to bring out its fragrant aroma. The dipping sauce for this fish salad is also prepared with care, combining finely chopped chili and garlic with fish sauce, ground peanuts, a touch of sugar, MSG, and tamarind juice. This dish is often served with fresh herbs and rice paper for wrapping.

7. Ninh Thuận Grapes

When you visit Ninh Thuận, you must try picking and tasting the local grapes. Ninh Thuận grapes are a 'legend' in the local cuisine. There are two varieties for everyone to enjoy: green grapes and red grapes. During your visit, you can pick grapes right from the vineyard, taking photos while exploring, and also purchase grapes to make other products such as wine, dried grapes, or grape syrup.

8. Sand Gecko Meat (Thịt Dông Cát)

The Sand Gecko, a reptile found in the hot, sandy dunes, has a slender body resembling a lizard. Its white meat is similar to chicken—sweet, tender, and smoother, with bones so soft they resemble cartilage. The gecko is used in a variety of delicious, nutritious dishes that have become specialties of the Cham people in Ninh Thuận. These include grilled sand gecko, gecko salad, and gecko stir-fried with lemongrass and chili—each one bursting with flavor and sure to tantalize your taste buds. You can enjoy these dishes with rice paper or noodles for a more filling meal.

9. Phan Rang Fermented Pork (Nem Chua Phan Rang)

Phan Rang Fermented Pork stands out with its unique balance of crispiness and chewiness. The primary ingredients for making this dish are fermented pork and roasted rice powder. Seasonings like fish sauce, salt, pepper, guava leaves, and sugar are added for extra flavor. The mixture is tightly wrapped in banana leaves and secured with a rubber band, ensuring it’s fresh and flavorful.

10. Phan Rang Chicken Rice (Cơm Gà Phan Rang)

Phan Rang Chicken Rice is famous for its distinctive taste. The chicken is tender and flavorful, raised naturally in the garden, giving it a firm texture. The rice is cooked in chicken broth, which imparts a rich, sweet flavor to it. The dish is usually served with a choice of dipping sauces—either a tangy sweet and sour fish sauce or a zesty chili-lime salt, depending on your preference.

11. Grilled Pork with Rice Paper Rolls (Bánh Tráng Cuốn Thịt Heo Quay)

Grilled Pork with Rice Paper Rolls is a mouthwatering dish you must try when visiting Ninh Thuận. The crispy, aromatic roasted pork is paired with soft, chewy rice paper, fresh herbs, cucumbers, and served with a distinctive, flavorful dipping sauce that elevates the entire dish.

12. Ninh Thuận Lamb (Thịt Cừu Ninh Thuận)

Lamb is a unique and high-quality delicacy in Ninh Thuận. The meat is prepared in various ways to suit every palate, including grilled, boiled, rare, stir-fried with curry leaves, smoked, or cooked in a rich curry. Another popular dish is steamed lamb served with wild curry leaves, a perfect fusion of local ingredients. Lamb ribs are also a favorite among diners, with the tender, sweet, and flavorful meat drawing many to savor its rich taste.

According to Mytour.vn

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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide