Delicacies of Nam Dinh: Top 15 Treats to Savour and Gift

Nam Dinh is renowned for its delectable array of specialties, offering a culinary journey through the region's unique flavors. Uncover a tantalizing selection of 15 must-try Nam Dinh specialties, perfect for indulging on-site or taking home as memorable souvenirs.

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The Nam Dinh region captivates tourists not only with its architectural landmarks and historical sites but also with its famous and delectable specialties. In this article, we reveal 15 must-try delicious specialties of Nam Dinh.

1. Introduction to Nam Dinh Tourism

Nam Dinh is an attractive destination for tourists due to its natural beauty and landmarks associated with famous historical events. When visiting Nam Dinh, don’t forget to explore places like the Po Minh Tower, Dong Cuong Church, Dong Que Museum, and Ngam Mountain Ecological Tourist Area.

2. Top 15 Nam Dinh Specialties to Try

Delicious Specialties to Try in Nam Dinh

Nam Dinh Beef Noodle Soup

What sets this dish apart is the distinctive flavor of its broth, made from carefully selected fresh ingredients. Each family has its own secret traditional recipe, a key to attracting diners from near and far.

Nam Dinh Beef Noodle Soup

Typically, the rice noodles are thin, soft, and chewy, and they go perfectly with the rich broth made from fragrant beef bones. The dish is complemented by tender beef slices and seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices.

Price: Approximately 30,000 – 50,000 VND/bowl

Suggested Addresses:

Upside-down Grilled Fish

This unique specialty of Nam Dinh is not only intriguing because of its name but also due to its preparation method, usually reserved for special occasions and festivals.

After cleaning and marinating the fish, it is placed on a layer of straw with heated bricks surrounding it. A metal basin is then placed upside down over the fish, and a fire is lit around the basin for about 30 minutes. Finally, a thick layer of straw and chaff is spread over the basin, and the fish is grilled for an additional 4-5 hours until cooked.

Upside-down Grilled Fish

Grilling the fish requires precision, as too much heat will burn it, and uneven heat will result in uneven cooking. The grilled fish has a delightful aroma, and its meat is sweet and firm. It is typically served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce and fresh herbs.

Price: Approximately 160,000 – 180,000 VND/kg

Suggested Address:

Thanh Nam Chopstick-sized Noodles

These noodles get their name from their unique size, resembling the thickness of a chopstick. They are whiter, softer, and more elastic than regular noodles.

Thanh Nam Chopstick-sized Noodles

To enhance the appeal of this dish, locals combine the noodles with crab roe, broth, beef, chili, and other seasonings, resulting in a rich and flavorful bowl.

Price: Approximately 20,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl

Suggested Address:

Ke Kenh Rice Rolls

Ke Kenh Rice Rolls is a long-standing specialty of Nam Dinh, comparable to the famous Thanh Tri Rice Rolls.

The rice sheets are thin as silk but remarkably chewy, sprinkled with fried shallots and scallions, and then rolled up. When served, they are accompanied by a sweet and sour fish sauce with a spicy kick from chili peppers, creating an irresistible combination.

Ke Kenh Rice Rolls

Price: Approximately 25,000 – 35,000 VND/kg

Suggested Addresses:

Nam Dinh Sticky Rice with Pork

If you’re a fan of sticky rice with pork, a nutritious breakfast option, then you shouldn’t miss out on this Nam Dinh specialty.

The sticky rice grains are cooked to perfection, soft and fragrant, and paired with the sweet and buttery flavor of pork belly and a savory, slightly spicy sauce, creating a delightful dish that will leave you craving more.

Nam Dinh Sticky Rice with Pork

Price: Approximately 10,000 – 20,000 VND/serving

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Xiu Pao Baked Cake

Xiu Pao Baked Cake is a rustic specialty of Nam Dinh that you should definitely try. The name may sound unusual, but this cake has a soft and fragrant texture similar to baked pastries. The filling consists of minced pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, onions, and a mix of typical Nam Dinh spices. When you take a bite, you’ll notice a slightly firm outer layer and a savory, well-seasoned filling.

Xiu Pao Baked Cake

Price: Approximately 5,000 – 10,000 VND/piece

Suggested Addresses:

Che Kho (Cooked Sweet Bean Paste)

Che Kho is a Nam Dinh specialty with a unique name. Contrary to what many people think, preparing this dish is not complicated. Che Kho is mainly made from mung beans, cooked in a dry and sticky form, and sweetened. It is often served to guests during festivals and full moon occasions.

Che Kho

When you taste it, you’ll be delighted by its sweet and refreshing flavor, especially when paired with a cup of lotus tea.

Price: Approximately 20,000 VND/plate

Suggested Address: Nam Dinh Specialty Store – 20 Truong Chinh, Ba Trieu, Nam Dinh City, Nam Dinh

Vi Duong Sticky Rice Cakes

Vi Duong Sticky Rice Cakes are famous for their quality and are often purchased during festivals and holidays. These cakes have a fragrant and sticky texture made from glutinous rice, with a filling of finely ground mung beans seasoned to perfection. They are best enjoyed with grated coconut, enhancing their deliciousness.

Vi Duong Sticky Rice Cakes

Price: Approximately 39,000 VND/box

Suggested Address: Vi Duong Village, My Xa Ward (Nam Dinh City)

Nam Dinh Specialties to Buy as Gifts

Giao Thuy Nem Nắm (Nem Nắm Sausage)

Nem Nắm is a long-standing specialty of Nam Dinh, and you can buy it as a gift for your family and friends.

Giao Thuy Nem Nắm

The ingredients for this sausage are carefully selected to ensure freshness and appeal. It includes firm and thinly sliced pork skin, mixed with fermented rice, wood ear mushrooms, and a blend of Nam Dinh spices, resulting in a flavorful and distinctive sausage.

Price: Approximately 200,000 VND/kg

Suggested Addresses:

Nam Dinh Banh Gai (Steamed Layered Cake)

When it comes to Banh Gai, we must mention Nam Dinh’s famous and delectable specialty.

Nam Dinh Banh Gai

To make this cake, you need to use Gai leaves and combine them with sticky rice, creating a fragrant and soft texture. The filling is made from ground mung beans mixed with coconut, onions, and pork fat, resulting in a delicious treat.

Price: Approximately 13,000 – 25,000 VND/cake

Suggested Address:

Banh Nhãn (Longan Cake)

Despite its name, this cake is not made from longans or longan arils. Instead, it is crafted from glutinous rice, onions, and pork fat.

Banh Nhãn

With skilled hands, the cake makers shape the mixture into round balls with a golden hue. When you bite into one, you’ll experience a crunchy texture and a burst of sweetness.

Price: Approximately 25,000 VND/200g package

Suggested Addresses:

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Siu Chau Candy

The name may sound unusual, but like other candies, Siu Chau candy is made from sugar, peanuts, sesame, and malt syrup. It is an excellent choice for gifts to your loved ones.

Frequently asked questions

The culinary delights of Nam Dinh include ‘Cha Ruoi’, a fried fermented shrimp paste; ‘Banh Cong’, a mung bean and shrimp fritter; and ‘Banh Gai’, a sticky rice cake with a green coating made from ramie leaves. Unique to the region are also ‘Banh Da Cua’, crab and arrowroot starch crackers, and ‘Banh Duc Ngu’, a steamed rice cake with a unique fish shape.

Some of the region’s unique snacks include ‘Banh Gai’, a green-hued sticky rice cake with a ramie leaf coating, and ‘Banh Da Cua’, a crispy cracker made with arrowroot starch and crab meat. These snacks are not only delicious but also visually appealing.

Yes, ‘Cha Ruoi’ is a well-known delicacy from Nam Dinh that makes a great gift. It’s a unique fermented shrimp paste that is fried to perfection, resulting in a crispy and flavorful treat. ‘Banh Duc Ngu’, the steamed rice cake with a fish shape, is also a famous gift option from this region.

A typical sweet treat from Nam Dinh is ‘Xoe’, a glutinous rice cake filled with a sweet mung bean paste and coated in sesame seeds. It’s a beloved dessert in the region and is often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Nam Dinh offers a diverse range of culinary delights. In addition to the aforementioned snacks and treats, the region is also known for its ‘Bun Ca’, a flavorful fish noodle soup, and ‘Che Ba Mau’, a colorful and tasty dessert beverage made with beans, jellies, and coconut milk.
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