Thai Binh is renowned for its serene and peaceful landscape, as well as its culinary delights, offering a plethora of rustic and unique dishes that will leave a lasting impression. If you’re traveling in Thai Binh and looking for some special souvenirs to take home to your family, join us as we count down the top 10 must-try specialties.
1 Introduction to Thai Binh Tourism
Thai Binh is a province located in the Red River Delta region, in the North of Vietnam. It covers an area of approximately 1,568 square kilometers and is situated about 110 kilometers southeast of Hanoi.
Thai Binh boasts a plethora of captivating tourist attractions, including historical sites, scenic landscapes, traditional craft villages, national parks, beaches, and unique culinary delights. In addition, Thai Binh is famous for its diverse and delectable cuisine, such as burnt rice, grilled fermented pork roll, fish soup, papaya salad, and squid sausage. All of these elements combine to create a fascinating and memorable travel experience for visitors to Thai Binh.
An overview of Thai Binh tourism
2 Top 15 Must-Try Thai Binh Specialties
Specialties to Try When Visiting Thai Binh
Goi Nhech (Striped Snakehead Fish Salad)
Goi Nhech (Striped Snakehead Fish Salad)
When in Thai Binh, don’t miss out on this rustic specialty of the locals! Nhech is a species of fish that resembles an eel in appearance, and almost all parts of the fish are utilized to create this dish. After initial preparation, the fish meat is sliced and mixed with roasted rice flour, while the bones are finely chopped for a dipping sauce, and the skin is fried to a crisp to be enjoyed on the side.
Price range: Approximately 300,000 – 500,000 VND per serving, depending on the number of diners.
Suggested venue: Seafood restaurants along the coast in Diem Dien, Thai Thuy, Thai Binh
Bun Bung (Vermicelli Soup with Pork and Bamboo Shoots)
Bun Bung (Vermicelli Soup with Pork and Bamboo Shoots)
While Bun Bung is a specialty in many northern provinces, Thai Binh’s version stands out with its unique flavor and the use of banana blossoms instead of bamboo shoots. Additionally, the dish is typically served with pork hocks, pork patties, and fresh herbs.
Price range: 30,000 – 45,000 VND
Suggested venues: Bun Bung Tran Khanh Du Restaurant, Bun Bung Thai Binh Restaurant on Ngo Thi Nham Street, Bun Bung Cha Ngoc Tram Restaurant,…
Nom Sua Thai Thuy (Thai Thuy Jellyfish Salad)
Nom Sua Thai Thuy (Thai Thuy Jellyfish Salad)
Jellyfish salad may sound familiar, as it is a common dish in many coastal provinces in Vietnam. However, the jellyfish salad from Thai Thuy in Thai Binh is renowned far and wide. The jellyfish used in this dish is always selected from the freshest catch, ensuring a crisp and sweet taste. It is skillfully mixed with a special sauce, peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs.
Price range: Approximately 50,000 VND for 30 grams
Suggested venues: Shops in Diem Dien town and Thuy Xuan town
Banh Gio Ben Hiep (Ben Hiep Steamed Rice Cakes)
Ben Hiep steamed rice cakes are a rustic and hearty delicacy that captures the essence of the local cuisine while maintaining a unique flavor that will leave a lasting impression.
Banh Gio Ben Hiep – Delicious steamed rice cakes
These rice cakes are wrapped in banana leaves, with the outer layer made from filtered glutinous rice flour and a savory filling of minced pork and mushrooms seasoned with spices. With their enticing aroma, soft texture, and ease of eating, they make a wonderful gift for family and loved ones.
Price range: 10,000 – 15,000 VND per cake
Suggested venue: Ben Hiep Market and stalls – Ben Hiep Street, Quynh Phu District, Thai Binh Province
Related: How to make delicious and simple Banh Gio at home.
Banh Nghe (Turmeric Cake)
One of the most beloved childhood treats for many people from Thai Binh is the humble Banh Nghe, a cake deeply rooted in the local culture. This cake is readily available for purchase at local markets.
Banh Nghe – Eye-catching golden cakes
The main ingredients of this cake are turmeric, glutinous rice flour, and mung bean, giving it a distinctive golden color and a delightful blend of sweet and nutty flavors.
Price range: 10,000 VND per cake
Suggested venue: Nam Trung Market – Nam Trung, Tien Hai, Thai Binh
Gio Cha Tien Hai (Tien Hai Pork Roll and Sausage)
A must-try delicacy for food connoisseurs, Gio Cha Tien Hai is a specialty of Thai Binh that you should not miss.
This sausage is made from freshly slaughtered pork hind legs, which are then ground and mixed with Tien Hai fish sauce, carefully wrapped in multiple layers of banana leaves, and steamed to perfection.
Gio Cha Tien Hai – A savory delight
The resulting sausage has a crispy and chewy texture, and when paired with the local fish sauce, it creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave you craving for more.
Price range: Approximately 120,000 VND per kilogram
Suggested venue: Gio Cha Ba Hien – Co Rong Bridge, An Ninh, Tien Hai, Thai Binh Province
Nem Chao Vi Thuy (Vi Thuy Fermented Pork Roll)
Nem Chao is a Thai Binh specialty made from raw pork, and the village of Vi Thuy is renowned for producing the most authentic version of this dish. Only experienced cooks possess the skills to create this delicacy.
What sets Nem Chao Vi Thuy apart is the use of freshly slaughtered pork, including the bones, which are ground and meticulously prepared through various intricate processes.
Nem Chao Vi Thuy – A unique delicacy
When savored, Nem Chao offers a delightful combination of the sweet taste of raw pork, the crunch of bones, the richness of fat, and the slight chewiness of the pork skin, all enhanced by a blend of spices.
Price range: Approximately 30,000 VND per serving
Suggested venue: Shops in Vi Thuy Village – Thai Thuy District, Thai Binh Province
Banh Gai Dai Dong (Dai Dong Sticky Rice Cake)
Banh Gai Dai Dong is a specialty with a long history, dating back almost 400 years. In the past, people in Thai Binh could only enjoy this cake during special occasions and festivals.
Banh Gai Dai Dong – A traditional treat
in Thai Binh, the best Banh Gai is undoubtedly found in Dai Dong. Only in this traditional cake-making village can you find Banh Gai with its distinctive dark color, golden-yellow filling, and a pungent aroma of beans and sugar.
Price range: Approximately 40,000 VND for a set of ten cakes
Suggested venue: Banh Gai Dai Dong – DT223, Tan Hoa, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province
Related: How to make delicious Banh Gai at home.
Lau Cua Song Ca Ra (Ca Ra River Crab Hotpot)
Lau Cua Song Ca Ra – A savory delight
Lau Cua Song Ca Ra is a must-try specialty when visiting Thai Binh. The broth is expertly seasoned, resulting in a naturally sweet and fragrant soup without any hint of fishiness. Accompanied by rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, banana blossoms, and other sides, it makes for a truly irresistible dining experience.
The Ca Ra river crabs are at their best from September to October on the lunar calendar, so plan your visit accordingly if you want to indulge in the freshest and most flavorful crabs.
Price range: 400,000 – 500,000 VND per serving
Suggested venue: Duc Hai Restaurant – No. 7 Khuon Vien House of Culture, Thai Binh City, Thai Binh Province,…
Thai Binh Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Oi Bo (Bo Village Guava)
It would be a shame to visit Thai Binh and not indulge in the famous guava from Bo Village. Unlike other guava varieties, Oi Bo is distinguished by its vibrant red color, minimal seeds and pulp, and an irresistible aroma.
Oi Bo – A unique delicacy
Oi Bo is in season during July each year, and this is when the fruit is at its sweetest and most delicious. When eaten, Oi Bo offers an initial mild astringency followed by a gentle sourness and a sweet aftertaste that will leave you wanting more.
Price range: 15,000 – 20,000 VND per kilogram
Suggested venue: Street vendors near Tan De Bridge – Tan Lap, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province
Banh Cay Lang Nguyen (Lang Nguyen Crispy Rice Crackers)
When it comes to iconic Thai Binh delicacies, one cannot overlook the famous Banh Cay. However, if you want to indulge in the very best Banh Cay, head to Lang Nguyen.
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