If you’re planning a trip to Moc Chau and are unsure about what local specialties to buy as souvenirs, then look no further. Read on to discover the top 15 Moc Chau specialties that will make perfect gifts for your loved ones.
1. An Introduction to Moc Chau Tourism
Moc Chau is a popular tourist destination, especially for those who adore natural landscapes and majestic mountains. When visiting Moc Chau, you’ll be treated to breathtaking natural scenery, such as the Ban Ang Pine Forest, the Heart-shaped Tea Hill, and the Dai Yem Waterfall, to name a few.
2. Top 15 Moc Chau Specialties to Try and Buy
Specialties to Try in Moc Chau
Pa Pinh Top Grilled Fish
This dish originates from the Thai ethnic group. The fish is caught from the river, ensuring firm and fresh meat. It is then marinated with wild vegetables, makhen pepper, and ginger to eliminate any fishy smell before being grilled to perfection. Despite its simplicity, the unique flavor of this dish will leave a lasting impression.
Price: Approximately 150,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Dong Hai Restaurant: Tran Huy Lieu, TT. Moc Chau, Moc Chau, Son La.
Pa Pinh Top Grilled Fish
Stir-fried Veal (Be Chao)
Be Chao is a popular choice among tourists visiting Moc Chau. The veal is cleaned, cut into bite-sized pieces, and then quickly fried in a hot pan. The cooked veal is allowed to cool down and is served with a special dipping sauce made from crushed peanuts, creating a delicious combination of sweet, fatty, juicy, and aromatic flavors.
Price: 80,000 – 100,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Xuan Bac 181 Restaurant: QL6, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Stir-fried Veal (Be Chao)
Buffalo Meat Cooked with Lo Lom Leaves
This dish requires a meticulous preparation process. The buffalo meat used is carefully selected, including parts like the tendon, belly, and a small amount of skin. It is then cooked with Lo Lom leaves, which are characteristic of the Northwest region. The sourness of the leaves complements the richness of the buffalo meat, resulting in a unique and appealing dish.
Price: 70,000 – 100,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: House No. 75 Restaurant: 34 To Hieu, TT. Moc Chau, Moc Chau, Son La.
Buffalo Meat with Lo Lom Leaves
Pork Belly Preserved in Rice Wine
This specialty is a delicacy of the Dao ethnic group. The pork belly is marinated in a mixture of rice wine and salt, and then mixed with cold cooked rice to induce natural fermentation. The longer the meat is marinated, the saltier it becomes, infusing each bite with flavor.
Price: 100,000 – 120,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Chau Moc Quan Restaurant: 198 Tran Huy Lieu, TT. Moc Chau, Moc Chau, Son La.
Pork Belly Preserved in Rice Wine
Grilled Chicken with Makhen Pepper
The chicken used in this dish is free-range and sourced from the local hills, ensuring sweet, firm, and juicy meat. The addition of makhen pepper, a specialty of the highland regions, adds a spicy kick to the dish, creating a truly exceptional culinary experience.
Price: Approximately 200,000 VND per chicken.
Suggested restaurant: Gui Quan: Tieu khu 6, Le Thanh Nghi, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Grilled Chicken with Makhen Pepper
Sticky Rice Cooked in Bamboo Tubes (Com Lam)
Com Lam is a famous specialty of the Northwest mountainous region. The rice is stuffed into bamboo tubes, sealed with dong leaves, and then cooked. When eating, you’ll appreciate the sticky texture and fragrant aroma of the rice, especially when paired with sesame salt and grilled dishes, embodying the essence of Northwest cuisine.
Price: 20,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Quan 180 Moc Chau: QL6, Chieng Di, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Sticky Rice in Bamboo Tubes (Com Lam)
Stone Snails (Oc Da)
Stone snails are sourced from deep within the mountain rocks. They are boiled with lemongrass and ginger, and then dipped in a sauce made from fish sauce, chili, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves. The thick and tender snail meat, combined with the flavorful dipping sauce, makes for a mouthwatering dish.
Price: 100,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Chau Moc Quan Restaurant: 198 Tran Huy Lieu, TT. Moc Chau, Moc Chau, Son La.
Stone Snails (Oc Da)
Tầm Bóp Vegetable
This vegetable is characteristic of the Northwest region and typically grows wild in damp areas. When eaten, it has a slightly bitter taste, but the more you chew, the more you’ll appreciate its crispness and natural sweetness. Tầm Bóp Vegetable is commonly stir-fried with shrimp or pork belly, and topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds, making it a delicious and healthy option.
Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per serving.
Suggested restaurant: Quan An Moc Chau: 99 Lo Van Gia, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Tầm Bóp Vegetable
Moc Chau Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Chẩm Chéo (Chăm Chéo) – A Special Spice Mix from Son La
Chẩm Chéo is a unique blend of ingredients, including dried eye-winking leaves, chili, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and shallots. This spice mix is a staple in the daily meals of the Thai people in the West and is commonly used to season grilled dishes, stir-fries, and salads. If you’re visiting Moc Chau, don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Price: 20,000 VND per box.
Suggested shop: Moc Chau Food: 26 Hoang Quoc Viet, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Chẩm Chéo (Chăm Chéo) Spice Mix
Mèo Apple
Mèo Apple is a specialty of Moc Chau, known for its green color and sweet-tart flavor, which sets it apart from other types of apples. The Mèo Apple season typically falls between late August and October. However, if you visit Moc Chau outside of this period, you can still find dried Mèo Apples, perfect for making infused drinks.
Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per kg.
Suggested markets:
– Nong Truong Town Market: Le Thanh Nghi, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
– Moc Chau Market: To Hieu, TT. Moc Chau, Moc Chau, Son La.
Mèo Apple
Moc Chau Milk
No trip to Moc Chau is complete without trying their famous milk. The cows are raised using modern technology and strict care protocols to produce the richest and most nutritious milk.
Price: 50,000 VND per bottle.
Suggested shops:
– Moc Chau Food: 26 Hoang Quoc Viet, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
– Dairy Farm Tourist Site: 168 Hoang Quoc Viet, Moc Chau, Son La.
Moc Chau Milk
Moc Chau Apricot
Unlike Mèo Apples, apricots in Moc Chau are in season during May and June. Moc Chau apricots are large in size and have a unique sweet and sour taste, especially when paired with salt.
Price: 50,000 VND per kg.
Suggested shop: Thao Nguyen Farm: 168 Le Thanh Nghi, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Moc Chau Apricot
Manioc (Khoai So Man)
This specialty, famous among the Thai people living in Moc Chau, boasts a creamy, buttery texture and a rich flavor that surpasses that of regular potatoes. Manioc can be cooked in various ways, such as boiling or steaming, but be sure to prepare it thoroughly to avoid any throat irritation.
Price: 50,000 VND per kg.
Suggested shops:
– Moc Chau Food: 26 Hoang Quoc Viet, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
– MT Mart Muong Thanh: Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
Manioc (Khoai So Man)
Smoked Buffalo Meat (Thit Trau Gac Bep)
Smoked buffalo meat is made from fresh, red, and tender loin meat, which is cleaned and marinated with a mixture of salt, chili, galangal, and makhen pepper. The meat is then hung over the kitchen stove, allowing the smoke from the firewood to infuse and preserve the meat.
Price: 250,000 VND per kg.
Suggested shop: Moc Chau Food: 26 Hoang Quoc Viet, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La.
