Ha Giang, with the wild beauty of the mountains and forests and villages filled with cultural colors, attracts tourists not only because of its natural scenery but also because of the richness of its cuisine. Ha Giang cuisine is an indispensable part of the journey to explore this land, which contains dishes imbued with the cultural identity of ethnic minorities. In this article, let Zing Home Ha Giang explore the 10 best foods in Ha Giang that you should not miss. Each dish contains special stories, reflecting the culture and customs of the people here, thereby creating an irresistible attraction for tourists when visiting.
Thang Co
Thang co, a dish originating from the H’Mong people, is not only a simple dish but also a symbol of highland culinary culture. As one of the best foods in Ha Gianghe main ingredient of thang co is usually horse meat, combined with typical spices such as Black cardamom, cinnamon, and onion, sometimes added with wild mushrooms, creating a special, rich, and warm flavor.
Thang Co is often served in highland markets, where people gather around a pot of steaming broth. This scene not only brings a feeling of the countryside but also evokes the image of community cohesion. The aroma of spices blends together to create a truly attractive dish.
This dish often comes with some raw vegetables and chili, creating a balance of flavor and increasing the excitement of the meal. A perfect choice for those who like to explore new feelings.
Dong Van Steamed rice rolls
Dong Van Steamed rice rolls are one of the best foods in Ha Giang, and tourists cannot miss them. Made from upland rice, banh cuon in Dong Van brings natural sweetness, softness, and fragility; Each piece of cake contains sophistication in its preparation. There are two popular types of banh cuon here: meat rolls with wood ear mushrooms and egg rolls, each with different flavors.
Steamed rice rolls are often eaten with rich bone broth, sprinkled with a few sprigs of coriander. Banh cuon here is not simply food but also shows the ingenuity and meticulousness of the processor. Enjoy Steamed rice rolls in the cool mountain air, accompanied by plants and the sounds of nature, all creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Smoked Buffalo Meat
Smoked buffalo meat is a traditional dish and one of the best foods in Ha Giang. When it comes to smoked buffalo meat, the unique preparation method cannot be overlooked. The buffalo meat is carefully selected, then marinated with spices, dried, and hung above the fireplace. This method creates a specialty dish with a distinctive flavor, where the meat becomes tender and delicious, leaving a lasting impression after just one taste.
This is not only a daily dish of people living in the northern highlands but also often appears in festivals or offerings and as gifts for distinguished guests. The taste of kitchen buffalo meat is as its name suggests – spices marinated with spicy Vietnamese pepper seeds, fresh and sweet buffalo meat, and the typical smell of kitchen smoke from the mountains. The outside flesh is dark brown but the inside is eye-catching red and rich in flavor.
Five-color sticky rice
Five-color sticky rice is one of the top 10 best foods in Ha Giang that you should try once. Sticky rice has 5 popular colors: white, red, blue, purple, and yellow symbolizing the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. With five-color sticky rice, it not only brings beauty and deliciousness but also has extremely sacred significance. The dish is not only attractive in color but also wonderful in flavor, fragrant, and nutty.
Five-color sticky rice is often used during festivals, New Year’s, or parties of ethnic minorities, expressing love and family cohesion. Sticky rice is often eaten with grilled meat or roasted peanuts, creating a meal full of nutrients and flavor.
Bac Me bamboo tube rice
Bac Me bamboo tube rice is a rustic dish but with the delicate beauty of Ha Giang’s culinary culture. The process of preparing Lam rice is quite elaborate: sticky rice is soaked overnight, then put in bamboo tubes, and grilled on a charcoal stove, making the rice not only flexible but also having the characteristic aroma of bamboo and banana leaves.
Bamboo tube rice is often eaten with grilled chicken or other meat dishes, creating a complete, simple but unique meal. The combination of the flavors of rice and meat, as well as the clean air of the mountains and forests, makes this dish an unforgettable memory for all visitors. This is one of the 10 best foods in Ha Giang that you should try when you come here.
Sour Pho
In the past, sour pho was a Chinese breakfast dish. Then it was introduced to Vietnam, especially in the northern mountainous regions such as Ha Giang, Lang Son, and Bac Kan, etc. As one of the best foods in Ha Giang, the main ingredients of sour pho are fragrant sticky rice and sweet and sour sauce combined with meat char siu, Crispy Pork Belly, China sausage, and stir-fried chili.
To get the typical taste of sour pho, people often make sweet and sour sauce from a mixture of vinegar mixed with sugar, tapioca starch, and mountain spices. When eating, visitors can eat it with herbs, fresh garlic, and grated papaya, to fully enjoy Ha Giang specialties.
Pig Carried Underarm Pork
Another one of the Best foods in Ha Giang that you cannot miss is the armpit pig dish. This is a small pig breed, only about 10 – 15kg, raised naturally, so the meat is quite lean, fatty, softer, and much sweeter than other types of pigs. Pig Carried Underarm Pork is prepared in many ways such as grilled, steamed, or stir-fried, each dish is delicious in a different way.
Steamed pork dipped in chili garlic fish sauce or lemon pepper seasoning also creates an attractive experience. As for grilled pork dishes, hot stir-fried with firm, rich meat served with herbs, it is also no less competitive. Armpit pork is not only delicious but also contains a lot of nutrition and is very good for health. This is a very popular dish at parties or festivals, often accompanied by some wild vegetables.
Buckwheat cake
Buckwheat cake, one of the famous products from buckwheat flower seeds, is not only a delicious dish but also symbolic of the beauty of the Ha Giang region. This type of cake is often prepared in many ways, from baked cakes to steamed cakes, each preparation method brings different flavors. The triangular cakes with outstanding purple, white, and yellow colors will be an unforgettable image in the hearts of visitors.
Buckwheat cake has a light sweet taste, and eaten with honey or fillings such as red beans, potatoes, and beans will make it even more attractive. Cakes are not only beautiful but also contain rich cultural values, mhhaking the food here unique. When you come to Ha Giang, you must definitely try one of the Best Foods in Ha Giang.
Ha Giang stone cake
Ha Giang stone cake is a unique choice for those who love to explore new flavors. Stone cake is mainly made from sticky rice and is prepared by using glutinous rice flour balls and then baking them on a charcoal stove, creating a golden brown cake that looks very attractive. When you bite a piece of cake, you will feel the crispy outside and soft softness inside, bringing an enjoyable feeling.
Stone cake is often used as a snack or served with other salty dishes. This cake has a novelty and unique flavor and is very popular with tourists when visiting the villages of Ha Giang.
Au Tau porridge
Au Tau porridge is a unique dish, often found in small roadside restaurants in Ha Giang. The main ingredient of this porridge is au tau, a tuber that has good health effects but needs to be prepared properly to avoid toxins. The people here have been sophisticated in processing Au Tau into a delicious, nutritious porridge dish that is not only delicious but also very special.
The flavor of Au Tau porridge is quite gentle but very attractive. Porridge is cooked from bone or meat broth, along with some vegetables and spices, creating a frugal but also very nutritious dish. Each bowl of porridge is not simply food but also a precious gift of nature, bringing health to the eater. When you have the opportunity to visit Ha Giang, you must definitely try one of the best foods in Ha Giang.
Advice for food lovers when visiting Ha Giang
For a complete culinary experience, visitors should explore seasonal and local dishes. Coming to Ha Giang, you not only participate in the journey of tasting delicious dishes but also immerse yourself in the unique culture of each ethnic group.
Best time to visit to enjoy seasonal dishes
To enjoy the best foods in Ha Giang, it is important to choose the right time. During the months from September to November, it is not only the time when buckwheat flowers bloom but also the ideal time to enjoy traditional dishes. You can participate in the festivals and Tet holidays of the ethnic groups here, and enjoy a bustling tray of rice dishes with sticky rice, cakes, and meat dishes.
Your enjoyment itinerary can include participating in markets to feel the soul of the countryside and try seasonal specialties. Make sure you plan your trip so you don’t miss out on these incredibly fun experiences!
Where to find authentic local food
To fully enjoy the best foods in Ha Giang, visitors should visit local markets, where a full range of dishes and fresh foods from ethnic minorities are sold. Some prominent locations that visitors can visit include:
- Dong Van Market: Famous for many rustic dishes and specialties that you can enjoy right here.
- Meo Vac Market: A place that offers a great culinary experience with many unique traditional dishes.
When you come to these places, you not only simply eat and drink, but you can also feel the cultural exchange, customs, and food presentation of the people here. Friendly people will be willing to share about the food, how to prepare it, and their own secrets to creating delicious dishes.
Ha Giang is truly a “challenging” destination for food lovers with countless unique dishes imbued with the cultural identity of the ethnic groups here. Flavors from thang co, Steamed rice rolls, to dishes made from buckwheat flowers all promise to bring you a wonderful culinary discovery journey. Above is a list of the top 10 best foods in Ha Giang that you should try. Hopefully, the useful information that Zing Home Ha Giang shares will bring visitors a lot of useful information to be able to experience travel in Ha Giang in the most wonderful way.
