Top 10 Quang Ninh Specialties Captivating Every Food Lover

1 Tien Yen Hill Chicken - An Unforgettable Quang Ninh Specialty

During your cross-country journey through Vietnam, you have surely savored many enticing dishes across various regions, such as the specialties of Tra Vinh, Quang Binh, Yen Bai... Among them, the cuisine of Quang Ninh also leaves an indelible impression that you cannot miss. Tien Yen hill chicken is the first Quang Ninh specialty recommended by MIA.vn, boasting a flavor that anyone who has tasted it once will remember forever. Free-range chickens are naturally raised on the hills, resulting in meat that is sweet, firm, and never chewy. Hill chicken meat can be prepared into various dishes such as grilled, steamed, cooked in porridge, boiled, etc. However, to fully appreciate the pure flavor of this chicken, you should enjoy the boiled chicken dish to feel the firmness of the meat and the rich crispness of the skin.

In addition, the grilled hill chicken dish also draws great attention due to its distinctive appeal. After grilling, the chicken usually displays a vibrant golden color with soft, sweet, and fragrant meat. Tien Yen hill chicken is often served with fresh herbs and crispy sesame rice crackers, creating a unique culinary experience for travelers.

2 Tien Yen Khau Nhuc (Braised Pork Belly)

When mentioning Quang Ninh specialties, MIA.vn cannot overlook the irresistibly delicious khau nhuc. Although this dish is made simply from pork, its elaborate and elaborate cooking process has transformed it into a "delicacy" of Quang Ninh. "Khau" can be understood as steamed until melt-in-your-mouth tender, while "nhuc" means meat; therefore, this dish can be described as pork braised and steamed until meltingly tender. Khau nhuc is typically prepared in a bowl, then inverted onto a plate to form the shape of a rounded hill with an attractive golden-brown sheen. Taking a bite, the meat seems to melt right on the tip of your tongue, leaving an unforgettable sensation.

Nowadays, for the convenience of tourists, Tien Yen khau nhuc is hygienically prepared and packaged in convenient boxes to take home as gifts for friends and relatives.

3 Nem Chao (Fermented Pork Skin Roll with Roasted Rice Powder)

Nem chao, also known as nem thinh, is a popular snack commonly made from pork skin and roasted rice powder. The ingredients for this dish are very simple: pork skin shaved thinly, shredded into fine strips, and mixed with fragrant powder ground from roasted rice. Despite its simplicity, thanks to unique cooking techniques, nem chao has become a mouthwatering delicacy, earning its place among the best Quang Ninh specialties.

When savoring nem, people often eat it with fresh herbs, especially fig leaves. Wrapping a few pieces of nem with Vietnamese coriander in rice paper, then dipping it into sweet and sour sauce creates an exquisite and memorable flavor. If you have the chance to visit Quang Ninh, you definitely must try this nem chao dish.

4 Dong Trieu Sand Worm Omelet (Cha Ruoi)

Sand worms (ruoi) are regarded as a gift from heaven, and not every place is blessed with this precious gift from nature. Dong Trieu is one of the fortunate areas in the country where sand worms can be harvested. Sand worms are prepared into many delicious dishes, the most famous of which is the rich, aromatic, and irresistible fried sand worm omelet (cha ruoi). Once you taste this dish, you will never forget the distinctive aroma found only in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh.

5 Gat Gu Cake (Nodding Rice Cake)

Banh gat gu - a specialty of Quang Ninh - is handcrafted by the people of Tien Yen from a signature regional grain known as xu rice. Visually, gat gu cake looks quite similar to pho rice noodle sheets, but upon tasting, you will find it has a much richer and more distinct flavor.

In the past, Tien Yen locals liked eating pho rolls for breakfast but did not want the fillings inside, preferring to enjoy only the outer wrapper to taste the natural sweetness of the rice; that was how gat gu cake was born. The reason for the name "gat gu" (nodding) is that when you pick up a piece with chopsticks, it sways and nods up and down, delighting diners.

6 Quang Ninh Ca Say (Muscovy-Mallard Hybrid)

Ca say is a hybrid waterfowl between a Muscovy duck and a mallard duck. Its meat is neither too dry nor too soft, creating an exceptionally distinct and novel flavor. Much like duck and Muscovy duck, ca say can be prepared into many tasty dishes; however, steamed or grilled ca say are the most recommended options.

Grilled ca say is rich and savory thanks to its thick, shiny golden skin that offers a delicious crunch, while the meat itself is firm, sweet, neither overly tough nor mushy. It tastes fantastic on its own or paired with steamed rice. This is truly a Quang Ninh specialty you should not miss when visiting.

7 Fresh and Dried Seafood of Quang Ninh

Quang Ninh boasts a coastline stretching over 200 km. The tidal range here is considered among the highest in the country, fostering an abundant and diverse marine ecosystem that yields seafood with a richer, sweeter flavor compared to other coastal regions.

It is difficult to sample every unique type of seafood in Quang Ninh during a single trip, so you should prioritize must-try delicacies such as Austrian clams (ngan), baby octopus (ruoc lo), Quang Yen horseshoe crab, peanut worms (sa sung)... For travelers wishing to bring seafood home as gifts, dried seafood options like dried squid, dried shrimp, and minced pork with dried shrimp paste (ruoc tep) are great choices for convenient storage and transport.

8 Ha Long Pearl Yogurt

If you are a fan of street snacks, you definitely must try pearl yogurt upon arriving in Ha Long - a signature snack specialty of Quang Ninh. Chewy, soft tapioca pearls combined with refreshing yogurt and creamy coconut milk blend harmoniously to create an irresistible treat for anyone who indulges.

9 One-Sun Dried Mackerel

One-sun dried mackerel - a Quang Ninh specialty - is an ideal choice when you want to bring a fresh, delicious gift home to family and friends. After being caught, fresh mackerel is meticulously selected, sliced into thick steaks, and dried under direct sunlight for exactly one day, preserving almost all of its nutritional value and savory taste.

One-sun dried mackerel can also be turned into many mouthwatering dishes, such as tomato-glazed mackerel, grilled mackerel, pan-fried mackerel, dried mackerel floss, etc.

1 0 Hoanh Bo Fermented Glutinous Rice Wine

As a traditional specialty wine of Quang Ninh, the distinct aroma of Hoanh Bo wine comes from a fermentation starter made from wild forest leaves. Hoanh Bo fermented glutinous rice wine offers a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste that aids digestion and quenches thirst on hot summer days. Because it is so smooth and easy to drink, many people assume it will never make them drunk. However, if consumed in excess, it can cause deep intoxication that may take 2 - 3 days to wear off. Nevertheless, upon sobering up, you will not experience a headache and will still feel refreshed and energized.

Above are 10 renowned Quang Ninh specialties that you should try at least once or purchase as thoughtful gifts for friends and relatives. Do not forget to bring along the MIA.vn travel guide to make your trip enjoyable and ensure you do not miss anything in Quang Ninh. Wishing you a truly meaningful and joyful journey with your friends and loved ones.