Besides sightseeing and entertainment, you shouldn't miss the delicious local specialties of Hà Giang that attract many visitors. Ha Giang's unique local cuisine offers a tantalizing array of flavours and dishes that reflect the region's rich cultural heritage. Let's explore these culinary delights:
1. Porridge made from Aconitum roots (Cháo ấu tẩu): This porridge is made from the roots of the Aconitum plant, known for its medicinal properties. It is often consumed for its warming and nourishing qualities.
2. Grilled Pork (Lợn cắp nách): Pork grilled over an open flame, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat with crispy edges. It's a popular dish enjoyed at local gatherings and celebrations.
3. Sour Pho (Phở chua): A unique twist on the traditional Pho soup, Sour Pho features a tangy and sour broth made from fermented rice. It's often served with tender beef or chicken and fresh herbs.
4. Đồng Văn Rice Rolls (Bánh cuốn Đồng Văn): Thin rice rolls filled with savoury ingredients such as minced pork, mushrooms, and shallots, served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime, and chili.
5. Bamboo Sticky Rice (Cơm Lam Bắc Mê): Glutinous rice cooked inside bamboo tubes, imparting a subtle earthy flavour to the rice. It's often served as a snack or accompaniment to main dishes.
6. Thắng Dền (Sweet sticky rice balls): Sweet glutinous rice balls filled with mung bean paste or coconut, coated in sesame seeds or grated coconut. They are a popular dessert or snack enjoyed year-round.
7. Grilled Moss (Rêu nướng): Moss harvested from the mountains and grilled over charcoal, resulting in a crispy and flavourful snack with a unique texture.
8. Smoked Buffalo (Trâu gác bếp): Buffalo meat smoked over a low fire, resulting in tender and smoky-flavoured meat. It's often served with fresh herbs and dipping sauces.
9. Mint Honey (Mật ong bạc hà): Honey infused with fresh mint leaves, creating a refreshing and aromatic sweetener used in teas, desserts, and marinades.
10. Five-colour Sticky Rice (Xôi ngũ sắc): Sticky rice dyed with natural colours from leaves and roots, resulting in a visually stunning dish often served during special occasions or festivals.
11. Bắc Giang Oranges (Cam Sành Bắc Giang): Sweet and juicy oranges grown in the Bắc Giang province, known for their vibrant colour and delicious flavour.
12. Corn Wine (Rượu Ngô): Traditional rice wine infused with corn, imparting a slightly sweet and earthy flavour. It's a popular drink enjoyed during celebrations and gatherings.
13. Buckwheat Cakes (Bánh tam giác mạch): Cakes made from buckwheat flour, often enjoyed during the buckwheat flower season. They can be sweet or savoury, depending on the filling and toppings.
14. Thắng Cố (Traditional H'Mong stew): A hearty stew made with pork, beef, or chicken, simmered with a variety of vegetables and herbs, resulting in a flavourful and comforting dish.
These unique dishes showcase the culinary diversity and cultural heritage of Ha Giang, inviting travellers to embark on a delicious gastronomic journey through the region's mountainous landscapes.
