Food & Receipts

The Tasty Treasures of Quang Binh: 20 Delights to Savour and Gift.

Quảng Bình, a province in Central Vietnam, is renowned for its delectable specialties that tantalize the taste buds of locals and tourists alike. The region boasts an array of unique dishes and delicacies that are not only a treat for the senses but also a cultural experience. With a diverse culinary scene, visitors are spoiled for choice, from fresh seafood caught straight from the East Vietnam Sea to savory dishes infused with the region's rich history and heritage. This province truly is a food lover's paradise, offering a gastronomic journey like no other.

Administrator

22 July, 2024

Beyond its famous breathtaking landscapes, Quang Binh also boasts a unique culinary scene. Join us today as we explore the top 10 Quang Binh specialties that make for meaningful gifts!

Further Reading:

1. An Introduction to Quang Binh Tourism

Quang Binh is a province in North Central Vietnam, renowned for its stunning natural attractions, including caves, beaches, and historical sites.

The province’s star attraction is undoubtedly Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest cave. Visitors can explore this magnificent cave with professional guides and safety equipment by booking a tour.

In addition, Quang Binh is home to numerous other beautiful caves, such as En Cave and Mooc Spring. These sites offer breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. Tourists can join tours to discover these fascinating destinations.

The province also boasts pristine and picturesque beaches like Nhat Le and Hai Ninh. Here, visitors can enjoy swimming, relaxation, and delicious seafood. With such diverse and captivating attractions, Quang Binh is sure to enchant adventurers and explorers alike.

An Overview of Quang Binh Tourism

2. Top 20 Quang Binh Specialties to Try and Buy

Quang Binh Specialties to Sample

Quang Hoa Pancakes

Quang Hoa Pancakes

Pancakes are a familiar dish in Central Vietnam, and each region has its unique twist. Quang Hoa pancakes stand out with their “ca chuoi,” a unique dish made from sliced and boiled banana stems shaped like fish. Enjoy these pancakes with familiar ingredients like red rice, fish sauce, and herbs for a delightful culinary experience. Quang Hoa pancakes offer a delicate aroma and a crispy, hot texture.

Estimated Price: 20,000 – 25,000 VND/serving

Where to Eat Quang Hoa Pancakes:

+ Di Hoa Pancake Shop – Quang Hoa – Thanh Tan Village, Quang Trach, Quang Binh.

+ Co Xuan Pancake Shop – Quang Hoa, Quang Trach, Quang Binh.

Quang Binh Fish Porridge

Quang Binh Fish Porridge

Fish porridge is a beloved Quang Binh specialty. Thick rice noodles, a hot and tasty broth made from meat and bones, and crispy fried fish chunks create a memorable dish.

Estimated Price: 22,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl

Where to Eat Fish Porridge:

+ Co Lien Fish Porridge Shop – 37 Ton That Thuyet, Dong Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

+ Gia Bao Porridge Shop – 8 Ly Thuong Kiet, Dong An, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

Quang Binh Taro Soup

Quang Binh Taro Soup

Taro soup is best enjoyed during the winter in Quang Binh. This soup features soft-boned taro fish cooked with a variety of ingredients like tamarind, pineapple, and dill, resulting in a sweet and sour broth. Gather around a hot pot of taro soup with your loved ones for a cozy and delightful meal.

Estimated Price: 100,000 – 250,000 VND/serving

Where to Eat Taro Soup:

+ Anh Dao Restaurant – 27 Phan Boi Chau, Dong My, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

+ No Quan Restaurant – 51 Tran Quoc Toan, Hai Thinh Ward, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

Sea Snake

Sea Snake

Sea snakes are a delicacy in Quang Binh, known for their slender bodies, scaly skin, small heads, and flat tails. They are highly nutritious and used in various dishes, including sea snake rolls, porridge, sausages, blood curd, and spicy soup. Sea snake rolls, with their crispy exterior and savory filling, are a local favorite.

Estimated Price: 100,000 – 1,000,000 VND/dish

Where to Eat Sea Snake:

+ La Co Beach Flamigo Seafood Restaurant – 185 Truong Phap, Bac Ly, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

+ Hai Yen Seafood Restaurant – Truong Phap, Quang Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

Ro River Blood Cockles

Ro River Blood Cockles

Blood cockles from the Ro River are a specialty you should try when in Quang Binh. While they can be prepared in various ways, the most enticing dishes are likely blood cockles with lime and blood cockles blanched in fish sauce. With unique preparation methods and fresh, nutritious ingredients, these dishes are must-tries when visiting Quang Binh.

Estimated Price: 50,000 – 200,000 VND/dish

Where to Eat Blood Cockles:

+ Quoc Dung Restaurant – Truong Phap, Quang Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

+ Hai Yen Restaurant – Truong Phap, Quang Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh.

Quang Binh Porridge

Quang Binh porridge is a sweet and savory dish with a delicate flavor and highly nutritious content. It is typically served with bread or rice crackers. Visitors to Quang Binh highly regard this comforting dish.

Quang Binh Porridge

Estimated Price: 15,000 – 30,000 VND/bowl

Where to Eat Quang Binh Porridge:

+ Dong Phu Market – Tran Hung Dao, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

+ O Hanh Porridge Shop – 4 Le Thanh Dong, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Banh Bot Loc (Clear Shrimp and Pork Dumplings)

Banh bot loc is a unique dish from Quang Binh, made from tapioca starch, shrimp, pork, and wood ear mushrooms. The dumplings are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. They are typically served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili peppers.

Banh Bot Loc

Estimated Price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND/plate

Where to Buy Banh Bot Loc:

+ Me Xuan Banh Bot Loc – Le Thanh Dong, Bac Ly, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Cakes)

Banh beo is a type of steamed rice cake unique to Quang Binh. The cakes are formed in special molds to create a round shape and then steamed with fried shrimp, pork cracklings, chopped garlic chives, and fish sauce for a savory flavor. Banh beo is typically served with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, lime, garlic, and chili peppers.

Banh Beo

Estimated Price: 10,000 – 15,000 VND/plate

Where to Eat Banh Beo:

+ Banh Beo Con Shop – Ngo Gia Tu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

+ Tu Quy Shop – 17 Co Tam, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Quang Binh Seafood

Quang Binh seafood encompasses a variety of fresh catches from the region’s waters, including shrimp, crab, squid, fish, and more. Prepared in numerous ways, from frying and grilling to steaming and boiling, Quang Binh seafood always delights with its freshness and distinctive flavors of North Central Vietnam.

Quang Binh Seafood

Estimated Price: 60,000 – 470,000 VND/kg

Where to Eat Quang Binh Seafood

+ Song Than Restaurant – Huong Giang Street, Phu Hai, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

+Gio Bien Restaurant – Truong Phap Street, Quang Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Baby Octopus

Baby octopus may be small, but it packs a flavorful punch. Its shell can be used to create beautiful jewelry and crafts, while its meat is sweet and savory. It’s a delicacy you won’t want to miss!

Baby Octopus

Estimated Price: 45,000 – 60,000 VND/kg

Where to Eat Baby Octopus:
+ Oc Ngon Shop – 45 Ngo Quyen, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

+ Phuong Ha Shop – Tieu Khu 15, Bac Ly, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Quang Binh Specialties to Buy as Gifts

Khoai Deo (Dried Sweet Potato)

Khoai deo is a specialty made from sweet potatoes grown in Quang Binh and prepared by sun-drying and seasoning. It has a chewy texture and a sweet, nutty flavor.

Khoai Deo

For a long time, khoai deo has been a popular choice for tourists visiting Quang Binh to buy as gifts for their loved ones.

Estimated Price: 120,000 VND/kg

Where to Buy Khoai Deo:

+ Khoai Deo Quang Binh Dealer: 10 Vuong Thua Vu, Dong Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh, Vietnam

+ Linh Hue Khoai Deo Dealer: 46 Truong Chinh, Dong Phu, Dong Hoi, Quang Binh

Dried Seafood – Dried Squid

When visiting the coastal city of Quang Binh, don’t miss out on the region’s dried seafood specialties, especially dried squid. Caught fresh from Quang Binh’s waters, the dried squid has a thick body, a moderate level of sweetness and chewiness, and a rich, savory flavor.

Frequently asked questions

Quang Binh, a province in Central Vietnam, offers a unique and delicious culinary experience with a variety of must-try dishes and specialties. The province is known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, influenced by its geographical location, with access to both the sea and the forest. Some of the must-try delicacies include ‘Banh Bot Loc,’ a clear tapioca flour dumpling filled with shrimp and pork, ‘Banh Xeo,’ a savory Vietnamese pancake made with rice flour and stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, and ‘Com Luon,’ rice with fried eel, a local favorite. The province also offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes, such as ‘Chao Hai San,’ a seafood rice porridge, and ‘Muc Nuong,’ grilled squid. These dishes showcase the province’s abundant seafood supply and the locals’ creativity in preparing them.

Quang Binh boasts a rich cultural heritage reflected in its unique dishes and ingredients. One such dish is ‘De Nhat Tu,’ a goat hot pot that is believed to have originated from the Chuong clan in Quang Binh. It is a flavorful and nutritious dish, perfect for gatherings and special occasions. Another iconic dish is ‘Khoai De,’ which is made from a type of wild potato and goat meat. This dish is a testament to the province’s agricultural abundance and the creativity of its people in utilizing local ingredients. Additionally, Quang Binh is known for its variety of wild vegetables and herbs, such as ‘Rau Dep,’ a type of vine leaf, and ‘Kinh Gui,’ a wild herb used in soups and stir-fries, adding unique flavors and health benefits to the local cuisine.

Quang Binh’s geographical location plays a significant role in the diversity and freshness of its cuisine. The province is blessed with a long coastline, providing easy access to a variety of fresh seafood, including shrimp, squid, and eel. The local seafood dishes are renowned for their simplicity, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. Additionally, the province is home to lush forests and mountains, offering an abundance of wild vegetables, herbs, and game meat. This combination of coastal and forest resources gives Quang Binh’s cuisine a unique character, with flavors and ingredients that are distinct from other regions in Vietnam.

Yes, Quang Binh offers unique dining experiences and food-related activities for visitors. One such experience is enjoying a meal on a dragon boat on the Son River. Visitors can indulge in local specialties while taking in the stunning scenery of the river and surrounding limestone cliffs. Another unique activity is participating in a cooking class or food tour in Dong Hoi, the provincial capital. These experiences provide an opportunity to learn about the local ingredients, cooking techniques, and the cultural significance of Quang Binh’s cuisine. Visitors can also explore the local markets, such as Dong Ba Market, to discover and sample a variety of fresh produce, street food, and local specialties.

Quang Binh offers a variety of delicious souvenirs and local specialties that visitors can bring back home. One popular choice is ‘Muc Mot Nang,’ a type of dried squid that is a specialty of the province. It is known for its tender texture and umami flavor, making it a perfect snack. ‘Mam Ruoc,’ a fermented shrimp paste, is another unique delicacy and a great condiment to add a punch of flavor to any dish. Visitors can also bring back local spices and herbs, such as ‘Tieng,’ a type of wild pepper with a strong aroma, and ‘La Lot,’ a betel leaf used for wrapping grilled dishes. These souvenirs not only showcase the province’s culinary delights but also allow visitors to recreate a taste of Quang Binh in their own kitchens.