Thanh Hoa is a famous region for its breathtaking landscapes and mouthwatering specialties that captivate visitors. In this article, let’s explore 15 must-try specialties in Thanh Hoa.
1. An Introduction to Thanh Hoa Tourism
Thanh Hoa is an intriguing tourist destination, offering a diverse range of attractions, from mountains to beaches and stunning scenery. When visiting Thanh Hoa, be sure to include these places on your itinerary: Sam Son, Ho Citadel, Thanh Hoa Fairy Fish Stream, Nam Kinh Relic Site, Voi Waterfall, and May Waterfall.
Thanh Hoa Tourism
2. Top 15 Thanh Hoa Specialties to Try
Must-Try Delicacies in Thanh Hoa
Tom Cha
Thanh Hoa Tom Cha
It would be a great loss if you visited Thanh Hoa and missed out on tasting Tom Cha. This dish is simple yet delicious, made with shrimp, pork, and gac (a type of fruit), stir-fried together and wrapped in banana leaves or bamboo tubes, then grilled on hot charcoal. The combination of sweet and buttery flavors of shrimp and pork, along with the crispy texture of the wrapping, creates a unique culinary experience.
Price: Approximately 30,000 VND per serving
Recommended places:
- Tom Cha Thao Muoi (14 Nha Tho) – 14 Nha Tho, P. Truong Thi, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
- Tom Cha Ba That – Le Thi Hoa, P. Lam Son, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
Banh It (Steamed Dumplings)
Banh It (Steamed Dumplings)
Banh It is a delicacy crafted by the skilled hands of the people of Thanh Hoa. The dough is made from a mixture of rice flour and tapioca starch, while the filling consists of mung beans wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to perfection. These dumplings are served hot and fragrant, with a chewy texture and a delicious blend of sweet and buttery flavors from the mung bean filling.
Price: Approximately 15,000 VND per plate
Where to buy: Various stalls in Tay Thanh Market, Thanh Hoa
Mam Cay (Cay Fish Paste)
Mam Cay (Cay Fish Paste)
After a long vacation, it’s customary to bring home some specialties as gifts for loved ones. Mam Cay is an ideal choice for a delicious souvenir. Made from a fish of the same name, this paste is prepared by cleaning and grinding the fish, then mixing it with salt and allowing it to ferment for about 10 days before sun-drying for another 7 days. The result is a sweet and buttery paste with a strong aroma, perfect for dipping with boiled meat.
Price: Approximately 30,000 VND per bottle
Where to buy:
- Mam Tep Ba Lang – Ba Lang, Tinh Gia, Thanh Hoa
- Sam Son Beach Tourist Area, Thanh Hoa
Ca Ro Dam Set (Dam Set Pond Fish)
Ca Ro Dam Set (Dam Set Pond Fish)
If you find yourself in Thanh Hoa, don’t miss the opportunity to try Ca Ro Dam Set, a simple yet captivating dish. The fish is fried to perfection, resulting in a crispy texture and a delicious flavor that will leave you wanting more.
Price: Approximately 70,000 VND per serving
Recommended places:
- Da Lan Center Restaurant – No. 1 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
- Co Tam Restaurant – QL15, Tho Xuong, Tho Xuan, Thanh Hoa
Banh Rang Buoa (Rang Buoa Cake)
Banh Rang Buoa (Rang Buoa Cake)
Banh Rang Buoa is a traditional cake that was once served to the king. Its shape resembles a “rang buoa,” a type of agricultural tool. The outer layer is made from rice flour, while the filling consists of pork belly, shrimp, and mushrooms, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Price: Approximately 2,000 VND per cake
Where to buy: Various markets, tourist areas, or at Ngoc Do Village, Yen Ninh, Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa
Banh Cuon Thanh Hoa (Thanh Hoa Rolled Cake)
Banh Cuon Thanh Hoa (Thanh Hoa Rolled Cake)
Banh Cuon Thanh Hoa is a beloved specialty, made with lean pork, shrimp, onions, and wood ear mushrooms, resulting in a soft and chewy texture. The dish is typically served with fish sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts, creating an unforgettable flavor.
Price: Approximately 10,000 – 15,000 VND per plate
Where to buy: Banh Cuon Ba Lanh – 252 Tong Duy Tan, P. Lam Son, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa Province
Banh Ne (Ne Cake)
Banh Ne (Ne Cake)
Banh Ne is a sweet treat made with molasses and ginger, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful dessert. The cake’s filling consists of coconut and mung beans, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes. A trip to Thanh Hoa is incomplete without tasting this delicacy.
Price: Approximately 5,000 – 10,000 VND per bowl
Where to buy: Le Loi Street, Thanh Hoa
Banh Duc Sot (Sot Steamed Rice Cake)
Banh Duc Sot (Sot Steamed Rice Cake)
When asked about their favorite childhood treat, locals in Thanh Hoa often mention Banh Duc Sot. This green-colored delicacy is made with rice flour and mung beans, and it’s best enjoyed hot, with a layer of sweet mung bean paste on top.
Price: Approximately 15,000 VND per cup
Where to buy: Le Loi Street, Thanh Hoa
Banh Da Minh Chau (Minh Chau Rice Crackers)
Banh Da Minh Chau (Minh Chau Rice Crackers)
Banh Da Minh Chau is a type of rice cracker made with rice flour and black sesame seeds. It is typically served with small pieces of spicy stir-fried clams and herbs or with stir-fried eel or frog legs.
Price: Approximately 10,000 VND per cracker
Where to buy: Thanh Hoa Market
Ca Ro Dam Set Nuong (Grilled Dam Set Pond Fish)
Ca Ro Dam Set Nuong (Grilled Dam Set Pond Fish)
Ca Ro Dam Set is a small fish with yellow, firm, and flavorful meat. It is commonly prepared by frying or cooking in a soup. The fried version is particularly popular, often served with a side of spicy mint leaves and salted pickles.
Price: Approximately 70,000 VND per plate
Where to buy: Thanh Hoa Market
Thanh Hoa Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Nem Chua Thanh Hoa (Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll)
Nem Chua Thanh Hoa (Thanh Hoa Fermented Pork Roll)
Nem Chua Thanh Hoa is a well-known delicacy that has put Thanh Hoa on the map for food lovers. The simple recipe includes a mixture of lean pork and pork skin, along with rice malt, garlic, and other spices, which is then rolled and left to ferment for 2-3 days. The resulting dish has a chewy texture and a unique blend of sour and spicy flavors.
Price: Approximately 3,000 VND per roll
Where to buy:
- Nem Chua Loi Lam – SN41, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, P, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
- Nem Chua Thang Tuyen – 409 Le Hoan Street, P. Lam Son, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
- Nem Chua Dung Cuong – 15 Tan An, P. Ngoc Trao, Thanh Hoa City, Thanh Hoa
Banh Gai Tu Tru (Tu Tru Gai Cake)
Banh Gai Tu Tru (Tu Tru Gai Cake)
Banh Gai Tu Tru may sound unfamiliar, but it is indeed a famous delicacy you shouldn’t miss when visiting Thanh Hoa. The cakes are made by grinding gai leaves to extract the juice, which is then mixed with flour to create the dough. The filling is a delicious blend of ground mung beans and grated coconut, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Price: Approximately 5,000 VND per cake
Where to buy: Various stalls in Mia Village, Tho Dien, Tho Xuan, Thanh Hoa
See also: Delicious and Easy-to-Make Gai Cakes
Mam Tep (Shrimp Paste)
