Food tour is one of the things not to be missed when traveling to Quang Binh. Here are the best local dishes to try before summer hits when visiting Quang Binh.
Banh Loc – Rice Dumpling Cake
Banh loc from Quang Binh is made from simple and familiar ingredients to local people. Banh Loc or ‘rice dumpling cake’ is made from flour and filled with a mixture of shrimp, meat, mung bean, and some spices. Banh loc is wrapped by banana leaves which creates a rich and savory flavor that is hard to forget. The cake is steamed till soft the filling is savory, a dipping fish sauce on the side is truly something called ‘signature’. Banh Loc is such a beautiful touch of Quang Binh cuisine that you must try!
Banh Nam – Steamed Rice Cake
Steamed Rice Cake is a dish that tourists can easily find everywhere along with Banh Loc. A dish of Steamed Rice Cake consists of thin, white cakes topped with golden shrimp flakes and evenly spread with scallions and a little pork mince. The shrimp flakes are made from fresh sea shrimp that are steamed, peeled, and mashed with spices until they turn yellow like dried meat floss. Quang Binh has its own way of creating Banh Nam – steamed rice cake compared to other regions in Vietnam
The soft and savory Steamed Rice Cake with the scent of freshly cooked rice flour, the golden and flavorful shrimp flakes combined with sweet and salty fish sauce, together create a delightful taste.
BBQ chicken with Cheo dipping sauce
Once you visit the caves and explore popular attractions in Phong Nha, you will easily come across BBQ Chicken dipped in salt and herbs known as ‘Cheo’ in any restaurant. The chicken is flattened, then grilled on charcoal bbq without any additional seasoning, the meat is truly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It is served with sticky rice and some other specialties of Quang Binh such as river fish and grilled pork. The chicken skin is golden and crispy, and more delicious when dipped in the special seasoning of Phong Nha locals, which is salt and herbs. Cheo is often made from Vietnamese balm, lime leaves, water celery leaves, salt, and green chili pepper or mashed with grilled fish and sawtooth herb to create a fragrant, spicy, and sour taste.
Banh canh – Rice Noodle soup
Rice Noodle soup or ‘Banh canh’ is the most common breakfast dish in Quang Binh. It can be made from a variety of ingredients such as fish, pork ribs, shrimp, grilled meat in types of noodle such as rice flour, tapioca flour, and brown rice. The broth is made by simmering beef, pork, shrimp, and other ingredients to create a sweet and clear flavor. Unlike other noodle dishes such as bun or pho, Quang Binh Rice Noodle soup is not served with aromatic herbs but with finely sliced green cabbage. The green color of the cabbage combined with the fish and shrimp will make the bowl of ‘Banh canh’ even more visually appealing. The sweet and slightly spicy taste of the green cabbage mixed with the sweet broth creates an unforgettable flavor.
A crunchy and flavorful side dish called “ram Ba Don” – a fried spring roll dish is a must-have when enjoying Quang Binh Rice Noodle soup.
Tram Fish From Son river
As a specialty dish from Phong Nha region, Tram fish from Son river is one of the must-try local Dishes. The fish feeds on algae and aquatic creatures from the river, making itself a fragrant, tasty, nutritious food, and free from industrial growth stimulants. Tram fish From Son river can be prepared in many different ways such as steaming, braising, grilling, and especially in a dish called “om” which is a way that fish is cooked with pickled vegetables, which has a rich and slightly spicy flavor that is truly exquisite.
Seafood
When traveling to Quang Binh, experience local seafood is a must. Nhật Lệ beach is voted as the place with the best and diverse seafood due to the difference in salt concentration here. Quang Binh seafood is fresh with rich flavors. Many seafood restaurants with cool locations located right next to the Nhật Lệ River bank and near the sea, you can enjoy your meal with your family or friends, have a chat and admire the beautiful natural scenery.
Banh Khoai
With a strange-sounding name, potato cake is one of the must-try dishes when traveling to Quang Binh. Banh Khoai has many similarities with Banh Xeo. Crispy outer shell is elaborately processed, inside is a filling consisting of minced pork, shrimp and bean sprouts. When eaten, it will be served with ‘banh cuon’ which is a rice wrap, herbs and dipping sauce – an important part of creating the unique and rich flavor of the dish.
Khoai fish Hot pot
Khoai Fish hot pot is a kind of fish that has soft bone and moisture so many people also called it “flour” fish. Khoai fish in Quang Binh are caught and sold directly to the restaurants, so the fish are very fresh. This makes hot pot more delicious than other places. The fish are marinated with peppers, chilli, fish sauce and dill to make the hot pot. The broth of Khoai fish hot pot is made up of tomatoes, tamarind juice, cabbage, sour starfruit, sour bamboo shoots… Khoai fish hotpot has a sweet, spicy, sour, rich taste that is recommended to try.
The local dishes in Quang Binh are not only delicious and diverse in terms of ingredients, but also a part of the local people’s culture. Let’s try unique dishes to enjoy a memorable journey.
