Northern Delicacies: 15 Irresistible Regional Treats to Savour and Gift.

The northern region of the country is renowned for its delectable specialties, offering a unique culinary experience for travelers to indulge in. From mouth-watering dishes to unique delicacies, the North boasts an array of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Discover the ultimate foodie journey through this region, as we explore the very best of Northern specialties that are an absolute must-try.

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Northern Vietnam is not only famous for its beautiful tourist attractions but also for its diverse and unique cuisine, which is very popular among tourists. Join us to explore these 15 famous specialties of Northern Vietnam!

1 Introduction to Northern Vietnam Tourism

Northern Vietnam, the cradle of Vietnamese culture with a history of thousands of years. Therefore, there are numerous attractions for tourists to visit and explore.

In particular, nature has blessed Northern Vietnam with breathtaking landscapes, creating tourist destinations that attract millions of domestic and international visitors annually and are definitely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

In addition, Northern Vietnam is also home to cultural and historical sites and the origin of impressive architectural works.

Introduction to Northern Vietnam Tourism

2 Top 15 Northern Vietnam Specialties to Try

Specialties to Try When Visiting Northern Vietnam

Hanoi Pho

Hanoi Pho

Hanoi Pho is a representative dish of Vietnamese cuisine and one of the most beloved dishes in the world. With its clear and sweet broth, soft and chewy rice noodles, tender beef slices, and fresh herbs, Hanoi Pho creates a harmonious blend of flavors that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.

  • Reference price: Hanoi Pho costs around 30,000 – 70,000 VND per bowl

Recommended restaurants:

Hanoi Bun Cha

Hanoi Bun Cha

Hanoi Bun Cha is a traditional dish in the old Hanoi cuisine. The soft and sweet grilled pork patties, along with slices of grilled fatty pork belly, are dipped in a slightly diluted fish sauce. Served with rice vermicelli and fresh herbs, Hanoi Bun Cha offers a balanced and aromatic taste that evokes memories of old Hanoi.

  • Reference price: Hanoi Bun Cha costs around 20,000 – 40,000 VND per serving

Recommended restaurants:

Cha Ca La Vong

Cha Ca La Vong

Cha Ca La Vong is a dish that originated during the French colonial period. The fish is skillfully marinated with various spices and then grilled over charcoal and pan-fried again to create a unique crispy texture. Cha Ca La Vong is typically served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, and shrimp paste.

  • Reference price: Cha Ca La Vong costs around 100,000 – 200,000 VND per serving

Recommended restaurants:

Ca Kho Vu Dai

Ca Kho Vu Dai

Ca Kho Vu Dai, or braised fish from Vu Dai village, is a well-known Northern Vietnamese specialty. The fish is marinated with a variety of special spices and then braised in a clay pot until the meat is tender, infused with the spices, and aromatic. This dish is a must-try when visiting Northern Vietnam.

  • Reference price: A 1.5kg portion of Ca Kho Vu Dai costs around 600,000 VND

Recommended restaurant:

Bun Ca Ro Dong Ha Nam

Bun Ca Ro Dong Ha Nam

Bun Ca Ro Dong Ha Nam is a popular dish among tourists due to its harmonious blend of flavors. It combines the sweet and crispy taste of fried fish with the aroma of dill and the slight sourness of star fruit, creating an indescribably delicious experience.

  • Reference price: Bun Ca Ro Dong Ha Nam costs around 25,000 – 40,000 VND per serving

Recommended restaurants:

Bun Ca Hai Phong

Bun Ca Hai Phong

When it comes to Hai Phong, Bun Ca Hai Phong is a must-mention dish. The golden, crispy, and sweet-tasting fish slices, combined with dill, onion leaves, and other herbs, create a harmonious blend. The rich and aromatic broth of Bun Ca Hai Phong has captivated countless diners, leaving them longing for another chance to indulge in its flavors.

  • Reference price: Bun Ca Hai Phong costs around 40,000 – 60,000 VND per serving

Recommended restaurants:

Banh Da Cua Hai Phong

Banh Da Cua Hai Phong

Banh Da Cua Hai Phong is also included in this list due to its unique and delicious flavor. It is a harmonious combination of red rice noodles, crab, shrimp, squid, pork, and cha la lot (betel leaf rolls). Despite the diverse and unusual ingredients, Banh Da Cua Hai Phong is a quality dish that captivates diners with its distinct flavors.

  • Reference price: Banh Da Cua Hai Phong costs around 25,000 – 60,000 VND per serving

Recommended restaurants:

Northern Vietnam Specialties to Buy as Gifts

Thit Trau Gac Bep

Thit Trau Gac Bep

Thit Trau Gac Bep, or smoked buffalo meat, is a specialty of Northwest Vietnam. The meat is made from fresh, tendon-free buffalo meat marinated with salt, chili, and mac khen (a local spice) and then smoked over a kitchen fire. When cooked, the meat has a mild smoky aroma and a chewy, sweet, and moist texture. It is especially delicious when dipped in mac khen.

  • Reference price: 500g of Thit Trau Gac Bep costs around 425,000 VND

Recommended shops:

Banh Cay

Banh Cay

Banh Cay is a specialty of Thai Binh province, made from (glutinous rice), gac fruit, green beans, peanuts, sesame, coconut, and ginger. A well-made Banh Cay has a balanced sweetness, the nutty aroma of roasted peanuts and sesame, the richness of coconut, and a hint of ginger’s spiciness. It is a popular choice for souvenirs when visiting Northern Vietnam.

  • Reference price: A 500g box of Banh Cay costs around 65,000 VND

Recommended shops:

Cu Do

Cu Do

Cu Do Ha Tinh is a simple confectionery made from malt and peanuts. However, each Cu Do maker has their own secret recipe, resulting in unique flavor profiles with different ratios of ingredients. Authentic Cu Do has a mild sweetness from malt, the nutty flavor of peanuts and sesame, a crispy outer layer, and a hint of ginger’s spiciness and tamarind’s sourness.

  • Reference price: 450g of Cu Do Ha Tinh costs around 50,000 – 60,000 VND

Recommended shops:

Com Lang Vong

Frequently asked questions

There are many irresistible regional treats to savour and gift in Northern Vietnam. Some must-try delicacies include ‘Cha Ca’, a delicious fish dish from Hanoi, and ‘Banh Cuon’, a steamed rice roll filled with minced pork and mushrooms. ‘Bun Cha’ is another favourite, consisting of grilled pork patties served with vermicelli noodles and herbs. For a sweet treat, try ‘Xoi Xeo’, a sticky rice dish with mung bean and coconut, or ‘Banh Troi Tau’, a glutinous rice ball dessert.

Northern Vietnamese cuisine is known for its subtle and delicate flavours, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes. The region’s dishes often feature a variety of herbs and vegetables, and are typically less spicy compared to Southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam, boasts a rich culinary heritage. Some famous dishes from Hanoi include ‘Pho’, a beloved noodle soup with a fragrant broth, and ‘Bun Bo Nam Bo’, a beef noodle dish with a unique blend of spices. ‘Cha Ca’ is another Hanoi speciality, with a distinct turmeric and dill flavour.

For food lovers, bringing home speciality treats from the North is a must. Consider ‘Banh Da Cua’, a crispy rice cracker made with crab, or ‘Com’, a variety of flavoured sticky rice packages in beautiful bamboo leaves. ‘Banh Troi Tau’ and ‘Xoi Xeo’ are also wonderful gift options, offering a taste of Northern Vietnam’s sweet delights.

Absolutely! Northern Vietnam offers a range of vegetarian-friendly options. ‘Banh Cuon’ can be made with tofu instead of pork, and ‘Xoi Xeo’ is naturally vegetarian. Additionally, there’s ‘Nom Hoa Chuoi’, a banana flower salad, and ‘Bun Dau Mam Tom’, which consists of fried tofu, vermicelli noodles, and a shrimp paste sauce (which can be omitted for vegetarians).
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