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After knowing what to do in Ninh Binh, we believe it is time to try the wondrous foods of Ninh Binh because we don't want you to get starved. How convenient! This articles will show you the local dishes, mostly cooked from the available fresh ingredients of the region.
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1. Ninh Binh mountain goat
Goat meat is the number 1 food in this list of Ninh Binh's specialties. Ninh Binh mountain goat can make many dishes such as mountain goat in lime juice salad, grilled goat, goat spring rolls, or stir-fried goat with lemongrass and chili. Feel the hunger yet? These dishes are said to be nutritious and healthy too.
2. Grilled snakehead fish
According to the traditional recipe of Ninh Binh cuisine, grilled snakehead fish in lotus leaves is a delicious dish.
The fish is cleaned and gutted to remove any bitterness, then wrapped in a large, fresh lotus leaf and grilled. The subtle fragrance of the lotus leaf, reminiscent of the countryside, blends with the tender, slightly sweet flavour of the hot snakehead fish. Rolled with shredded carrots and cucumber and dipped in fish sauce. This dish is truly irresistible.
3. Kebab rice noodles
While famous in Hanoi, kebab rice noodles (bun cha) are also a popular breakfast dish in Ninh Binh, where it has its own unique twist. The key difference between Ninh Binh bun cha and Hanoi bun cha lies in the grilled pork patties. In Hanoi, these are typically small, round meatballs or patties made with pork belly. In Ninh Binh, bun cha is made with minced pork, richly seasoned and formed into a large, flat patty, which is then grilled in a wire mesh over hot coals.
This dish, known as bun cha quat, is served with bite-sized pieces of flat rice noodles and fresh lettuce. It's all dipped in a sweet and sour fish sauce and often accompanied by a small portion of pickled papaya. With the addition of the flavorful grilled patty, it's a great combination.
4. Ant egg sticky rice
As strange as it seems, this dish is one of the famous foods of Ninh Binh. Instead of cooking sticky rice with beans, gac fruit, or coconut, the locals here cook it with ant eggs, a seasonal delicacy harvested from ant nests. People will bring the ant eggs from the mountainous area of Nho Quan. After that, they marinate and stir-fry them. Finally, it is served with sticky rice. Many are hesitant to try it for the first time, but once you take the plunge, you'll find it hard to forget the rich flavour of this dish.
5. Kim Son vermicelli sprouting
In Ninh Binh, the district of Kim Son is most famous for bun moc (vermicelli sprouting). This food of Ninh Binh is made from pork mixed with delicious spices, fish sauce, and sweet vegetables.
The bowl of bun moc arrives steaming hot, with pearly white noodles and plump, crispy meatballs swimming in a rich broth, sweet from slow-cooked bones. It's reminiscent of the winding rivers and canals that flow through the fertile alluvial plains of the region. Just a taste of the broth evokes the essence of the countryside, with its fresh air and the fragrance of the land.
6. Stem liquor of Nho Quan
Stem liquor is a specialty of the Muong ethnic people in the Nho Quan region. To make this kind of wine, people will cook sticky rice and brew it with yeast in large jars. The minimum fermentation time is 3 months.
Nho Quan can wine has a distinctive flavour profile – spicy, aromatic, rich, and subtly sweet. It's considered most delicious when you drink the first few sips.
To truly enjoy Nho Quan can wine, you don't drink it from a cup or glass. Locals use hollow bamboo straws, which are inserted directly into the earthenware jar, reaching down to the bottom. The can wine experience is best enjoyed in a lively, communal atmosphere, where people can share stories and conversations while savouring sips of the potent brew.
7. Ninh Binh Eel vermicelli
Ninh Binh Eel vermicelli must be the most meticulous dish among Ninh Binh's best foods. The broth is made from eel bones to create a rich flavor. The eels are chosen carefully, they must have a pinkish-brown back and a dark yellow belly.
When served, a bowl of mien luon is garnished with Vietnamese coriander, lolot leaves, spring onions, and fried shallots. A variety of other aromatic herbs are also provided to enhance the flavour. Depending on your preference, you can add a squeeze of lime or a touch of chilli.
8. Crabs roasted with lolot leaves
Also called the most crunchy dish in Ninh Binh cuisine. To make this dish, people must roast the crabs until they become crispy. Then they continued to combine the crabs with the lolot leaves so that you could taste the aroma and spicy taste on the tip of your tongue.
9. Floating rice cake
Not the only sweet treat in Ninh Binh cuisine, but it is probably the most hard-to-forget dessert on the list. It is said that the bakers here have a secret recipe for combining sugar, honey, and crushed dried peanuts to make the filling.
The cakes have a delicate fragrance and a subtle sweetness. When boiling the cakes, a few pomelo blossoms are added to enhance the flavour. The round bánh trôi nước cakes exude a gentle aroma and have a soft, delightful texture.
10. Scorched Rice
Your Ninh Binh best foods collection is not complete if you forget scorched rice. Scorched rice is famous as a delicious specialty with ingredients made from 100% pure rice served with a delicious spice mixture. The cooked rice must be pressed into pieces to dry, then fried in an oil pan until the rice turns a spongy yellow color.
The scorched rice has a distinct flavour. While the crust is undeniably crispy, the inner layer of rice retains a slight chewiness (the fresh one) or crispy (the packed one), adding another interesting texture.
More than just sustenance, food in Ninh Binh is an experience. It's the smoky aroma of scorched rice filling the air, the satisfying vermicelli, and the warmth of a steaming bowl of noodles on a winter day. A journey through Ninh Binh's cuisine is a journey for the senses, one that will leave you with a lasting appreciation for this captivating region.
Ready to explore more of what Ninh Binh has to offer? Let IZITOUR help you organise a tour that perfectly matches your interests and travel style. Our local travel consultants are passionate about crafting memorable experiences, ensuring you and your loved ones have a trip to cherish. Simply send us an email to sm@izitour.com or message us, and let's start planning your adventure!
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