The Tasty Delights of Hoa Binh: 15 Local Specialties to Savour and Gift.

Hòa Bình is renowned for its delectable specialties, offering a unique culinary experience for visitors to enjoy and take home as souvenirs. Uncover the 15 most mouth-watering delicacies that this charming destination has to offer, a true gastronomic adventure awaits!

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Hòa Bình is renowned for its breathtaking scenery and mouthwatering local specialties that will leave you craving more. Let’s explore the top delicacies this place has to offer!

1Introducing Hòa Bình Tourism

Hòa Bình captivates visitors with its stunning natural landscapes and pleasant climate. Plan your trip to Hòa Bình during the rice harvest season in Mai Chau from May to June, and you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking sight. Don’t forget to visit Bản Lác to immerse yourself in the local way of life.

Hòa Bình Tourism Overview

2Top 15 Hòa Bình Specialties to Try

Must-Try Local Delicacies

Chả Cuốn Lá Bưởi (Citrus Leaf Rolls)

Chả Cuốn Lá Bưởi is a famous specialty in Hòa Bình. Made from finely chopped meat seasoned with fish sauce and dried onions, then wrapped in citrus leaves and grilled on bamboo skewers, the fat sizzles on the hot coals, releasing an irresistible aroma.

Chả Cuốn Lá Bưởi

Specialty Price: approximately 100,000 VND per dish

Address: Việt Hoa – 80 Cù Chính Lan, Hòa Bình.

Xôi Nếp Nương Mai Châu (Mai Chau Glutinous Rice)

The glutinous rice of Mai Chau is not only fragrant and sticky but also transformed by the skilled hands of the Thai people into a colorful delicacy. Natural ingredients are used to create the vibrant colors of this unique dish.

Xôi Nếp Nương

Specialty Price: about 40,000 VND per dish

Address: Nhà hàng Hợp Thủy, Tiểu khu 2, Mai Châu, Hòa Bình.

Thịt Trâu Lá Lồm (Water Buffalo Meat with Lá Lồm)

Thịt Trâu Lá Lồm is a specialty of the Mường people. The water buffalo meat is roasted, cleaned, and then slowly stewed. Once partially cooked, the meat is cut into small pieces and placed in an earthenware pot to simmer. Crushed lá lồm leaves and glutinous rice are added to the pot and cooked until the rice is soft and creamy. The meat absorbs the sour taste of the leaves and the fragrance of the rice, resulting in a delectable dish.

Thịt Trâu Lá Lồm

Specialty Price: approximately 140,000 VND per dish

Address: 
Nhà hàng Hợp Thủy, Tiểu khu 2, Mai Châu, Hòa Bình. 
Nhà hàng trong Mai Châu Ecolodge Resort.

Lợn Mán Thui Luộc Mai Châu (Roasted and Boiled Wild Boar)

Lợn Mán Thui Luộc Mai Châu is best enjoyed with roasted and crushed dổi seeds as a dipping sauce. The Mường people often serve this dish on a bamboo tray lined with banana leaves for a more appealing presentation. Don’t miss out on this delicacy when visiting Mai Chau!

Lợn Mán Thui Luộc

Specialty Price: about 160,000 VND per dish

Address: Lương Sơn, Lạc Thủy, or other specialty restaurants in Hòa Bình.

Thịt Lợn Muối Chua (Sour Pork)

This dish is a labor of love, combining pork with various forest leaves. It is meant to be eaten with your hands, wrapping the leaves around the meat and chewing slowly to savor the sweet and nutty flavors. It’s a unique and memorable taste experience.

Thịt Lợn Muối Chua

Specialty Price: around 40,000 VND per box

Address:
Nhà hàng Hợp Thủy, Tiểu khu 2, Mai Châu, Hòa Bình.
Nhà hàng trong Mai Châu Ecolodge Resort.

Cá Nướng Đồ (Grilled Fish)

Cá Nướng Đồ is a specialty commonly found on the way to Thác Bờ Waterfall, where fish are skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal. The fish, seasoned with salt and pepper, is then served on banana leaves with young sấu leaves, mơ leaves, and lolot leaves. The result is a delicious dish with a distinctive aroma.

Cá Nướng Đồ

Specialty Price: 40,000 VND to 300,000 VND, depending on the type of fish

Address: Restaurants in Thung Nai or Mai Châu.

Cơm Lam (Sticky Rice in Bamboo)

Cơm Lam is a must-try delicacy when visiting Hòa Bình. The rice, cooked in bamboo tubes, absorbs the sweetness and richness of coconut water, resulting in a fragrant, sticky, and delicious dish. You’ll surely enjoy the unique taste of Cơm Lam here.

Cơm Lam

Specialty Price: About 5,000 VND per bamboo tube

Address: Suối Khoáng Kim Bôi Tourist Area, Cơm Lam Mường Động Restaurant.

Hòa Bình Specialties to Buy as Gifts

Cam Cao Phong (Cao Phong Oranges)

When it comes to Hòa Bình, one immediately thinks of Cam Cao Phong. These oranges are known for their juicy flesh and minimal seeds, offering a sweet and refreshing taste without any bitterness.

Cam Cao Phong

Specialty Price: Around 25,000 VND to 30,000 VND per kg 

Address: Cao Phong District Road, where you’ll find many vendors during the orange season.

Tỏi Tía (Purple Garlic)

Tỏi Tía is a specialty of Loo’ng Luông Commune in Mai Châu District, as it can only be found and purchased here. What sets this garlic apart is its yellow cloves, small bulbs, and pungent aroma.

Tỏi Tía

Specialty Price: approximately 130,000 VND per kg 

Address: Loo’ng Luông Commune, Mai Châu District.

Rượu Cần (Cần Wine)

Rượu Cần is a traditional beverage used to welcome honored guests in Hòa Bình. It has a unique flavor profile, blending bitterness, sweetness, and sourness into a harmonious whole. This wine makes an excellent gift for friends and family.

Rượu Cần

Specialty Price: About 350,000 VND to 400,000 VND per 5 liters 

Address: Mường Vang Commune, Lạc Sơn District.

Rau Rừng Đồ (Wild Vegetable Dish)

Don’t leave Hòa Bình without trying Rau Rừng Đồ, a dish made from various wild vegetables and prepared using a special recipe. It offers a unique blend of bitter, spicy, sweet, and nutty flavors. For the best experience, pair it with thick rice cakes and a special dipping sauce.

Rau Rừng Đồ

Specialty Price: 50,000 VND to 200,000 VND per kg, depending on the type of vegetable

Address: Bao La Commune’s market, Mai Châu District.

Măng Đắng (Bitter Bamboo Shoots)

Măng Đắng is a specialty of Hòa Bình, known for its distinctive flavor and aroma. Be sure to buy some as a gift for your loved ones when visiting Hòa Bình.

Măng Đắng

Specialty Price: About 120,000 VND to 140,000 VND per kg

Address: You’ll find many vendors along the Hòa Bình road.

Quả Lặc Lây (Wild Gourd)

Quả Lặc Lây, also known as wild gourd, is a nutritious and tasty fruit. You can purchase this unique fruit as a gift for your loved ones.

Quả Lặc Lây

Specialty Price: About 25,000 VND to 30,000 VND per kg

Address: Bao La Commune’s market, Mai Châu District.

Quất Hồng Bì Kỳ Sơn (Kỳ Sơn Tangerine)

The tangerines of Kỳ Sơn are typically harvested in July, and only those who visit Dân Hòa during this time can experience their exquisite flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Hoa Binh province in Northern Vietnam boasts a diverse range of delicious local specialties. Must-try dishes include grilled stream fish, mountain pork rolled in bamboo tubes, Hoa Binh chicken rice, and ‘thang co’ – a hearty soup made with offal and herbs.

The cuisine of Hoa Binh is known for its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including mountain pork, stream fish, and a variety of forest herbs and vegetables. Dishes are often flavored with lemongrass, chili, and kaffir lime leaves, giving them a distinctively fresh and tangy taste.

Yes, several dishes from Hoa Binh are popular choices for gifts or souvenirs. These include ‘com chay’ – a type of steamed sticky rice with a smoky flavor, and ‘ruou can’ – a traditional rice wine served in a unique bamboo drinking vessel. Local honey and mountain tea are also highly regarded and make wonderful gifts.

To sample authentic Hoa Binh cuisine, it’s best to explore the local markets and street food stalls. The province’s capital, also called Hoa Binh, offers a variety of restaurants and eateries serving local specialties. For a more immersive experience, consider visiting the Muong ethnic minority villages, where you can enjoy home-cooked meals and learn about their culinary traditions.

Hoa Binh offers several unique dining experiences and food-related activities. You can participate in a traditional ‘com lam’ (sticky rice in bamboo tubes) cooking class, go on a food tour of the local markets, or even join a culinary-themed homestay program, where you’ll learn to cook and enjoy meals with local families.
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