Food & Receipts

The Tasty Treats of Hai Duong: 22 Delicious Delicacies to Savour and Gift

Hải Dương is renowned for its delectable delights, offering a culinary journey through a myriad of flavors that captivate both locals and travelers alike. Uncover a tantalizing treasure trove of 22 signature specialties that define the essence of Hải Dương's gastronomic scene, enticing you to embark on a flavorful adventure through taste and tradition.

Administrator

22 July, 2024

Hải Dương is a province rich in history and culture, known for its friendly and humble people, picturesque landscapes, and delectable specialties. Join us as we explore 15 must-try delicacies of Hải Dương that will leave you craving for more.

1Introduction to Hải Dương Tourism

Covering an area of approximately 1,651 square kilometers, Hải Dương boasts a flat terrain characterized by the Red River Delta. With a long history, Hải Dương is a culturally diverse region with a plethora of historical and tourist attractions.

Hải Dương offers a range of captivating destinations for travelers, both domestic and international. Visitors to Hải Dương can explore a variety of tourist attractions, such as the Kinh Cổ Temple, Vọng Cổ Pagoda, Tân Ninh Pagoda, Môn Đình Pagoda, Quang Chính Pagoda, Ngọc Tower, Bạch Đằng Gate, Phúc Thiện Church, Cổ Loa Relic Site, and Đại Bản Islet. In addition, tourists can also discover traditional markets, experience traditional craft villages, and indulge in the region’s unique specialties.

Introduction to Hải Dương Tourism

2Top 22 Hải Dương Specialties to Try

Specialties to Try When Visiting Hải Dương

Bún Cá Rô Đồng (Rice Noodle Soup with Perch)

To savor a delicious bowl of Bún Cá Rô Đồng, don’t miss out on this dish when in Hải Dương. What sets it apart from other places is the unique broth and the distinct flavor it imparts.

Bún Cá Rô Đồng

A bowl of hot noodle soup with tender fish meat and a savory broth, mixed with white rice noodles, will captivate any diner.

Estimated Price: 20,000 – 50,000 VND/ bowl

Recommended Place: Hải Yến Restaurant – 27 Yết Kiêu, Bảo Tháp, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Tứ Kỳ Rươi (Tứ Kỳ Worms)

Hải Dương, located in the Red River Delta, is surrounded by large rivers, and during the eighth lunar month, it is abundant with a unique delicacy known as “rươi,” particularly famous in Tứ Kỳ, Hải Dương.

Rươi, a type of worm, resembles a common earthworm but has a flatter body and short legs, growing to about 6-7 cm in length and 5-6 mm in width. Rươi typically inhabits brackish or saline waters.

Delicious Rươi Chả

Estimated Price: 350,000 VND/ 350g

Recommended Place: An Lao Village, Tứ Kỳ, Hải Dương

Rươi can be prepared in a variety of delicious dishes, providing a wealth of nutrients and minerals. Rươi Chả, a simple yet tasty dish made from rươi, is worth trying.

For more information:

Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Rice Rolls)

While Bánh Cuốn is available in many places, each region has its unique preparation and flavor. Bánh Cuốn from Hải Dương is definitely worth a try when visiting the area.

Soft and Tender Bánh Cuốn

This breakfast dish consists of soft and thin rice rolls filled with ground pork, topped with fried shallots, and served with a side of sweet and sour fish sauce, along with fried pork sausage.

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

Recommended Place: Bánh Cuốn Bà Thấu – 1 Lê Lợi, Quang Trung Ward, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Gà Mạnh Hoạch (Mạnh Hoạch Chicken)

Starting as a small restaurant owned by Mr. Phạm Hồng Hoạch, the Mạnh Hoạch Chicken brand has now become a household name across the country.

Famous Mạnh Hoạch Chicken

Mạnh Hoạch Chicken is known for its free-range chickens that are not fed industrial feed, ensuring tender, flavorful, and nutritious meat.

Estimated Price: 170,000 – 180,000 VND/ chicken

Recommended Place: Km 67, QL5, Phạm Xá, Kim Thành, Hải Dương

Bánh Đúc Đậu (Tofu Pudding)

Another specialty of Hải Dương that you should try is Bánh Đúc Đậu, a delicacy famous in Tuy An Street.

Delicious Bánh Đúc Đậu

Bánh Đúc is made from tofu and peanut powder, typically dipped in fish sauce or fermented bean curd sauce and accompanied by various herbs. Despite its simplicity, this dish captivates many with its unique flavor.

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

Recommended Place: 27A Tuy An, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Bánh Đa Trộn (Mixed Rice Crackers)

Bánh Đa Trộn is a well-known specialty of Hải Dương’s coastal region, consisting of main ingredients such as dried shrimp, pork floss, chili, peanuts, and various spices, creating a unique and appealing flavor. When enjoying Bánh Đa Trộn, you’ll relish the perfect blend of sweet dried shrimp, fresh herbs, tangy chili, and the crunch of roasted peanuts.

Bánh Đa Trộn

Estimated Price: 30,000-50,000 VND/serving

Recommended Place: 106 Trương Mỹ, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Bánh Giò (Steamed Rice Cakes)

Bánh Giò is a traditional delicacy of northern Vietnam, specifically Hải Dương. It is made from simple ingredients such as glutinous rice, pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, mung beans, shallots, and spices. Bánh Giò has a round shape, a thin and chewy outer layer made from banana leaves, and a delicious filling.

When eating, the outer layer is removed to reveal the tasty filling. The filling typically consists of minced pork, chopped wood ear mushrooms, and spices. Bánh Giò from Hải Dương has a distinctive flavor, with a soft and chewy texture, complemented by the savory pork, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and mildly sour shallots.

Bánh Giò

Estimated Price: 15,000-40,000 VND/serving

Recommended Place: 19 Đội Cấn, Lê Thanh Nghị Ward, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Lẩu Nấm Hoàng Thành (Hoàng Thành Mushroom Hot Pot)

Lẩu Nấm Hoàng Thành is a signature dish of Hải Dương, loved by many. It is made from fresh forest mushrooms, pork, beef, chicken, seafood, spices, and a sweet and clear broth. The hot pot is flavorful and well-seasoned, with just the right amount of sweetness. The forest mushrooms are carefully selected and fresh, while the meat and seafood are thinly sliced and marinated to perfection.

Overall, Lẩu Nấm Hoàng Thành is a must-try for those who appreciate local cuisine and wish to explore new flavors. It is not only delicious but also nutritious, especially during the cold winter months.

Lẩu Nấm Hoàng Thành

Estimated Price: 100,000-450,000 VND/serving

Bánh Gối Hải Dương (Hải Dương Pillow Cake)

Bánh Gối Hải Dương is a traditional dish of the region, made from simple ingredients such as rice flour, ground meat, wood ear mushrooms, onions, pepper, fish sauce, tapioca starch, and herbs. Its shape resembles a pillow, with a rice flour-based outer layer and a savory meat filling.

Bánh Gối Hải Dương

Estimated Price: 15,000-40,000 VND/serving

Recommended Place: Cô Nhung Quán – 5 Đồng Xuân, Lê Thanh Nghị Ward, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương, Vietnam

Chân Gà Nướng (Grilled Chicken Feet)

Chân Gà Nướng is a specialty of Hải Dương and a favorite among many. It has a spicy and aromatic flavor, enhanced by the spices and the smoky aroma from the charcoal grill. Chicken feet are typically served with a side of pickled vegetables or a special dipping sauce. When eating, the chicken meat is shredded and wrapped in fresh herbs before being dipped in the sauce.

Chân Gà Nướng

Estimated Price: 10,000-150,000 VND/serving

Hải Dương Specialties to Buy as Gifts

Bánh Đậu Xanh (Mung Bean Cake)

First and foremost, we must mention Hải Dương’s most famous specialty, the sweet mung bean cakes that pair perfectly with tea.

Sweet Bánh Đậu Xanh

Bánh Đậu Xanh is primarily made from finely ground mung beans mixed with sugar and lard or animal fat. They are cut into small squares, wrapped in foil or greaseproof paper, and sold in bars.

The distinctive aroma, the nutty flavor of the beans, and the slight richness from the lard make these cakes a local favorite.

Estimated Price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND/ 200g box

Recommended Place: Nguyên Hương Mung Bean Cake Production Facility – 68 Trần Hưng Đạo, Trần Hưng Đạo Ward, Hải Dương City, Hải Dương

Thanh Hà Vải Thiều (Thanh Hà Lychees)

Vietnam is known for its various types of lychees, but the lychees from Thanh Hà are considered the queen of all lychees, renowned for their mild sweetness and subtle fragrance that lingers long after consumption.

Frequently asked questions

Hai Duong province, located in northern Vietnam, is a culinary hotspot known for its delicious and diverse food culture. The region boasts a unique blend of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with local specialties that are hard to find elsewhere. Must-try delicacies include ‘Banh Gai’, a sticky rice dumpling with a unique herbal filling, and ‘Banh Da Cua’, a crispy rice cracker made with crab meat and local spices. The province is also famous for its high-quality seafood, especially shrimp and crab, often prepared with unique recipes like ‘Tom Hum’ (shrimp paste) and ‘Cua Rang Me’ (crab in tamarind sauce).

Hai Duong’s cuisine is characterized by a delicate balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Local specialties often incorporate unique herbs and spices, such as ‘la lot’ (betel leaf), ‘ngo om’ (rice paddy herb), and ‘rau ram’ (Vietnamese coriander). The province is also known for its high-quality rice, with varieties like ‘com chi’ and ‘com van’ used to create delicious sticky rice dishes and crispy rice crackers.

Absolutely! Hai Duong offers a range of delicious treats that make perfect gifts or souvenirs. ‘Banh Gai’, the province’s signature dish, is a must-buy. These sticky rice dumplings, filled with a unique blend of herbs and spices, have a long shelf life and are conveniently packaged. ‘Banh Da Cua’, the crispy rice crackers, are also a great option, as they come in various flavors and are loved by people of all ages. Additionally, Hai Duong is known for its high-quality shrimp paste (‘Tom Hum’) and crab paste (‘Tu Hai’), which make excellent savory gifts for food lovers.

Visitors to Hai Duong can head to the local markets, such as the Cho Dem Market or the Cho Moi Market, to immerse themselves in the food culture and sample a wide variety of delicacies. These markets offer a vibrant atmosphere and are a great place to interact with local vendors and learn about the unique ingredients and preparation methods. Additionally, specialty shops and street food stalls throughout the province offer the chance to taste and purchase these treats. Some popular spots include the Banh Gai Street in Chi Linh District and the seafood restaurants along the coast.

Yes, Hai Duong hosts several festivals and events that celebrate its rich culinary heritage. One notable event is the Hai Duong Food Festival, usually held in the fall, which showcases the province’s diverse cuisine and offers visitors a chance to taste a wide range of delicacies in one place. The province also celebrates the traditional Tet Holiday with a unique twist, featuring a ‘Banh Gai and Banh Da Cua Festival,’ where these signature dishes take center stage. These festivals are a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local food culture and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.