Here are some must-visit culinary spots for travelers exploring Lạng Sơn, as recommended by Nguyễn Minh Đức, a travel blogger from Hanoi.
Roasted Duck
When it comes to Lạng Sơn’s specialties, the famous roasted duck is a must-try.
After cleaning, the duck is marinated with scallions, pepper, móc mật leaves, and stuffed with these ingredients before being sewn up. The duck’s skin is brushed with honey.
Locals typically roast the duck over charcoal for about 15 minutes, then dip it into a pan of hot oil, flipping it several times until the skin is crispy and golden brown. It’s then drained and served.
Roasted duck in Lạng Sơn is priced at 280,000–290,000 VND per duck, depending on its weight.
Minh Đức suggests visiting Nga Doanh restaurant at 164 Bắc Sơn Street, Kỳ Lừa Ward (formerly Hoàng Văn Thụ Ward, Lạng Sơn City) to enjoy this dish.
He praises the duck’s tender meat and rich flavor, paired with a dipping sauce made from roasted duck broth, soy sauce, and chili for an irresistible combination.
Roasted Duck Pho
Beyond roasted duck, Lạng Sơn’s roasted duck pho is equally renowned. The tender duck meat, rich broth, and tangy bamboo shoots create an unforgettable flavor profile.
“I chose roasted duck pho as my first meal upon arriving in Lạng Sơn City. The noodles are soft and thick, the broth is light, and the roasted duck slices are perfectly seasoned,” Minh Đức shares.
Roasted duck pho in Lạng Sơn
He recommends trying this dish at Vi Tặng pho restaurant, located at 2 Đại Huề Street, Lương Văn Tri Ward. This local favorite attracts both residents and tourists, with bowls priced at around 40,000 VND.
Char Siu Lap Cheong Pho and Sour Pho
In addition to roasted duck pho, visitors can explore another unique dish: char siu lap cheong pho. A recommended spot is Dung Sơn restaurant at 14 Hòa Bình Street, Xuân Dương Commune (formerly Ái Quốc Commune, Lộc Bình District).
Minh Đức notes that this pho shop, located near the entrance to Lộc Bình Market, opens only in the morning and serves bowls for 40,000 VND.
“The noodles here are thinner and easier to eat than in the city. The broth is lighter and clearer. The char siu is sliced into strips, and the fresh lap cheong is evenly cut, with flavors perfectly balanced and infused with herbal aromas,” he describes.
Two unique pho dishes in Lạng Sơn: Sour pho (left) and char siu lap cheong pho (right)
Sour pho is another Lạng Sơn specialty. Unlike traditional pho, sour pho is served cold, with a tangy-sweet sauce, and is tossed like a salad or vermicelli dish.
A bowl of sour pho consists of two parts: wet and dry.
The dry part includes rice noodles blanched in warm water, char siu, pork stomach, crispy fried pork liver, thin slices of lap cheong, fried sweet potato or potato sticks, scallions, cucumbers, herbs, and notably, roasted duck.
The wet part is a sauce made from duck fat or duck broth, seasoned with fried scallions, garlic, fish sauce, chili, vinegar, sugar, and ginger, thickened with cornstarch.
Minh Đức finds the dish refreshing, with its tangy-sweet sauce and abundance of herbs, making it light and unique.
He suggests trying it at the sour pho restaurant at 59 Thân Công Tài Street (next to Hoàng Long Gold Shop), Kỳ Lừa Ward. The restaurant is open all day, with bowls starting at 40,000 VND.
Some unique and delicious bánh (cakes) in Lạng Sơn
Minh Đức also highlights Lạng Sơn’s unique bánh (cakes), perfect for enjoying on the spot or as souvenirs. These include bánh cao chằng, bánh coóc (coóc mò), bánh coóng phù, and bánh ngải.
Bánh cao chằng (or cao sằng) is made from rice flour, minced pork, and a sweet and sour vinegar sauce, topped with chili sauce and soy sauce. Bánh coóc resembles dumplings and is served with a tangy sauce.
Bánh coóng phù looks like bánh trôi (glutinous rice balls), with a mung bean filling. It’s served hot with sugar syrup, crushed roasted peanuts, and grated coconut.
Bánh ngải, made from mugwort leaves, has a deep green color and a refreshing flavor. It’s filled with palm sugar and roasted sesame seeds.
Minh Đức also recommends trying Lạng Sơn’s grilled bánh mì
During his 2-day, 1-night culinary adventure in Lạng Sơn, Minh Đức spent about 500,000 VND on food.
The roasted duck left the biggest impression, with its rich marinade and tender meat.
“While other regions also serve roasted duck, Lạng Sơn’s version stands out with its distinct flavor,” he notes.
Minh Đức experiences the Kỳ Cùng – Tả Phủ Festival, the largest traditional festival in Lạng Sơn Province
Beyond food, Minh Đức also visited several attractions, including Lạng Sơn Ancient Citadel, Thành Temple, Tả Phủ – Kỳ Cùng Temple, Tam Thanh Pagoda, and Tân Thanh and Hữu Nghị Border Gates.
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