Ninh Binh cuisine is not only a combination of local ingredients but also contains the cultural quintessence and skillful craftsmanship of the local people. Whether you enjoy these dishes on the spot or bring them back as gifts, each flavor reminds you of the rustic beauty and warm humanity of this land.
1. Ninh Binh crispy rice
If you are looking for the most famous Ninh Binh specialty, Ninh Binh burnt rice is definitely the first name to be mentioned. This is a traditional dish of the ancient capital, simple but has a strong appeal, making diners remember it forever from the first time enjoying it.
The special feature of Ninh Binh burnt rice lies in the delicate combination of two types of dry and sticky rice, through meticulous steps from drying to frying, creating crispy, golden and fragrant burnt rice pieces. The dish is often combined with shredded pork, fried onions, or more specifically, eaten with goat meat, heart and kidney and rich sauce. The harmonious flavor of crispy, fatty, and fragrant will surely make you unforgettable.
This is also a meaningful gift that you should buy for your family and friends after your trip to Ninh Binh. Crispy rice can be found in most markets, rest stops or on Ninh Binh tours, with prices ranging from 35,000 - 45,000 VND/portion.
>>> Check out the Northwest summer tour <<<
1. Discover the Northwest: Hoa Binh - Moc Chau - Dien Bien - Lai Chau - Sapa - Fansipan - Yen Bai - Hanoi
2. North-Central route: Hanoi - Sapa - Fansipan - Ha Long - Ninh Binh - Da Nang - Son Tra - Ba Na tourist area - Golden Bridge - Hoi An - La Vang - Hue - Phong Nha Cave
The special feature of Ninh Binh burnt rice lies in the delicate combination of two types of dry and sticky rice, through meticulous steps from drying to frying, creating crispy, golden and fragrant burnt rice pieces. The dish is often combined with shredded pork, fried onions, or more specifically, eaten with goat meat, heart and kidney and rich sauce. The harmonious flavor of crispy, fatty, and fragrant will surely make you unforgettable.
This is also a meaningful gift that you should buy for your family and friends after your trip to Ninh Binh. Crispy rice can be found in most markets, rest stops or on Ninh Binh tours, with prices ranging from 35,000 - 45,000 VND/portion.
>>> Check out the Northwest summer tour <<<
1. Discover the Northwest: Hoa Binh - Moc Chau - Dien Bien - Lai Chau - Sapa - Fansipan - Yen Bai - Hanoi
2. North-Central route: Hanoi - Sapa - Fansipan - Ha Long - Ninh Binh - Da Nang - Son Tra - Ba Na tourist area - Golden Bridge - Hoi An - La Vang - Hue - Phong Nha Cave
2. Ninh Binh mountain goat meat
Another delicacy not to be missed is Ninh Binh mountain goat meat, famous for its firmness and delicious flavor thanks to being naturally grazed on rocky mountains. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as grilled goat, steamed goat, raw goat with lemon, goat spring rolls, stir-fried goat... But the most special dish is still the crispy rice with goat sauce, the combination of two specialties brings an unforgettable experience.
Most restaurants here serve Ninh Binh goat meat at a price of about 200,000 - 400,000 VND/kg. Some famous addresses you can refer to:
Most restaurants here serve Ninh Binh goat meat at a price of about 200,000 - 400,000 VND/kg. Some famous addresses you can refer to:
- Ba Cua Restaurant (Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu).
- Cuong De Restaurant (Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh).
3. Ninh Binh mountain snails
The next unique Ninh Binh specialty is mountain snails, a type of snail that lives in the limestone caves of Tam Diep mountain. With a chewy, crunchy, naturally sweet taste, and a hint of herbal medicine, mountain snails are often processed into dishes such as steamed with ginger, stir-fried with tamarind, or salad. However, mountain snails are only available from April to August every year, so you need to choose the right time to enjoy this rare dish.
4. Ninh Binh eel vermicelli
When coming to Ninh Binh, don't forget to try eel vermicelli with its unique flavor. The broth is simmered from eel bones and marrow bones, creating a sweet taste, while the eel is processed to be firm and fatty. The dish is served with shredded banana flowers, creating a perfect combination.
You can visit Dung Thanh eel vermicelli restaurant (999 Tran Hung Dao, Van Giang ward, Ninh Binh), famous for this dish to enjoy.
5. Eel salad
Coming to Kim Son, a specialty dish that you should not miss on your Ninh Binh tour is eel salad. This dish is elaborately prepared to remove the fishy smell and retain the sweet taste of eel - a type of fish with firm and nutritious meat.
The highlight of eel salad lies in the special dipping sauce, called cheo, made from familiar ingredients such as lemongrass, chili, and pepper. The fish salad is often served with raw vegetables and rice paper, creating an attractive blend. This is a dish that captivates visitors when exploring the sophisticated cuisine of the ancient capital.
The price of eel ranges from 500,000 - 600,000 VND/kg, depending on the season. Be sure to take the time to visit the restaurants in Kim Son to try this unique dish.
6. Yen Mac sour sausage
If you are looking for a Ninh Binh specialty as a gift, then Nem Chua Yen Mac is a perfect suggestion. Developed from Hue royal nem chua, Nem Yen Mac has a light, unique flavor thanks to being wrapped in guava and banana leaves.
The main ingredients include thinly sliced pork butt, pork skin, MSG and salt, all of which are harmoniously combined to create a spring roll with just the right amount of chewiness and crispiness. When enjoying, you can eat it with fig leaves, perilla leaves or Polyscias fruticosa leaves to enhance the flavor.
Some reference addresses:
- Dragon Market, No. 71 Van Giang, Ninh Binh.
- Anh Quan production facility, Yen Mac, Yen Mo.
7. Gia Vien shrimp paste
When it comes to gifts imbued with the ancient capital, Gia Vien shrimp paste is an indispensable name. This is a traditional type of fish sauce that is meticulously processed, from the stage of selecting fresh and delicious shrimp to the careful fermentation process in suitable conditions.Shrimp paste has a bright red color, rich aroma, often used to dip boiled vegetables, eat with hot rice or as a spice for many other dishes. Each jar of Gia Vien shrimp paste costs from 150,000 - 250,000 VND, very worth buying as a gift after your trip.
8. Nho Quan rice wine
Not only famous for its cuisine, Ninh Binh also has an impressive specialty: Nho Quan wine - a traditional wine of the Muong people in Nho Quan land. The wine is made from sticky rice, potatoes, and natural wild yeasts such as guava leaves, ginger, and galangal.The flavor of Can wine is rich but not too strong, very suitable to enjoy with rustic dishes in Ninh Binh. The price of Can wine ranges from 200,000 - 600,000 VND depending on the capacity.
9. Ninh Binh floating cake
If you love sweets, Ninh Binh floating cakes are a must-try. This cake is made from traditional rice flour, combined with molasses, peanuts and chrysanthemum leaves, creating a characteristic sweet flavor.
The round, soft, sweet white balls will be an attractive snack, especially when enjoyed with green tea. You can find them at restaurants in the center of Ninh Binh to enjoy.
10. The dipper
Another unique dish of Ninh Binh is the “gao” fruit, a fruit that only grows in the streams and hills here. The “gao” fruit is often used to braise fish or make soup, helping to mask the fishy smell and create a slightly sour, refreshing taste.
This fruit is not only valuable in cuisine but also very good for health, often bought by tourists as gifts at a price of about 80,000 VND/kg. You can easily find the goo fruit at traditional markets during your Ninh Binh tour.
With these special delicacies, your trip to Ninh Binh will surely become an unforgettable experience, both exploring the beautiful scenery and enjoying the culinary quintessence of the ancient capital.
Each dish, from crispy rice, delicious goat meat, to rich shrimp paste, leaves an unforgettable taste in the hearts of visitors. Let Ninh Binh specialties become a special highlight in your journey of discovery, so that when you return, you bring back not only memories but also the flavors of this land!
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Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/dac-san-ninh-binh-v16278.aspx
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