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Explore Top 10 Delicious Dishes In Mai Chau, Vietnam

Thursday, June 22, 2023 Food & drink Anna

Located in the northwest of Hoa Binh province, just 140 km away from Hanoi, Mai Chau is surrounded by magnificent mountains and inhabited by Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Over time, this destination has gained fame within Hoa Binh province. Apart from exploring captivating tourist places, visitors should indulge in the local cuisine that offers distinct flavors inherent to the Northwestern mountains. Join Autour Asia in discovering top 10 must-try dishes when you visit Mai Chau!

1. Lam rice (Com Lam)
2. Sticky rice
3. Stream fish
4. Steamed mountain snails with lemongrass
5. Grilled pork
6. Grilled chicken with Mac Khen
7. Pia soup
8. Ant eggs
9. Fried bee pupae with bamboo
10. Can wine

1. Lam rice (Com Lam)

Experience the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam's Northwestern mountains with the irresistible dish known as Com Lam. This name means "rice cooked in a bamboo tube", Com Lam is prepared by cooking rice inside a bamboo tube, combining the techniques of steaming and grilling. The unique flavor of Com lam stems from the use of locally sourced glutinous rice, which is carefully washed, soaked, and mixed with copra. This mixture is skillfully stuffed into bamboo tubes and cooked with spring water and coconut milk, resulting in fragrant and tender rice. The bamboo tubes are then grilled over charcoal, infusing the rice with a smoky aroma. Lam rice pairs well with various accompaniments such as fried bamboo shoots or grilled chicken. For the ultimate flavor experience, don't forget to sprinkle a dash of sesame salt on your Com Lam. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable culinary adventure!

2. Sticky rice

Sticky rice is a dish traditionally of Mai Chau, skillfully crafted by the talented women of the Thai ethnic group. This delectable dish owes its delightful flavors and enticing aroma to the use of special sticky rice cultivated in the mountainous fields. A feast for the eyes, the presentation of Mai Chau sticky rice resembles a blossoming flower with vibrant petals in shades of white, green, orange, purple, and yellow. Each color symbolizes a natural element, such as earth, water, metal, wood, and fire—infusing the dish with distinct flavors derived from a diverse array of ingredients. Savor the harmonious blend of taste and tradition in every colorful bite.

3. Stream fish

Experience the culinary delight of Mai Chau's grilled stream fish, an absolute must-try dish during the traditional Tet holiday celebrated by the Thai people in Hoa Binh's Mai Chau region. The key to crafting this delectable delicacy lies in selecting the finest, succulent stream fish, known for their delectable flavors. Once caught from the crystal-clear streams, the fish undergo meticulous cleaning before being marinated with a blend of signature mountain and forest spices, including Mac Khen, anise seeds, basil leaves, and lotus seeds. Skewered onto bamboo sticks, the fish are then expertly grilled to achieve a crispy, golden perfection. When visiting Mai Chau, seize the opportunity to camp near the picturesque waterfall, and don't forget to savor the grilled fish while immersing yourself in the refreshing embrace of nature's serenity.

4. Steamed mountain snails with lemongrass

Mountain snail is a seasonal specialty only available in May and June, when the mountains and forests of Mai Chau bathe in the rains. Nourished by the mosses and medicinal leaves of their natural habitat, the meat of these snails exudes purity and is brimming with health benefits. After catching, snails are washed, then steamed with ginger, chili and lemongrass. For a tantalizing culinary experience, they are best enjoyed by dipping them into a zesty ginger-infused fish sauce. With a delightful crunch, subtle sweetness, and an exquisite flavor, mountain snails from Mai Chau stand out from other varieties, such as sea snails, freshwater snails, river snails, or field snails, owing to their distinctively rich and grease-free taste. Sitting and relaxing looking at Mai Chau valley and enjoying delicious snails with concentrated crushed ginger fish sauce is a culinary discovery that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

5. Grilled pork

Grilled pork, which is prepared by generously coating the meat with a blend of flavorsome spices, including salt, lemongrass, ginger, ham, and the aromatic Mac Khen. Within a mere 20 to 30 minutes, these exquisite seasonings infuse the meat, infusing it with a burst of tantalizing taste. Placed carefully on the charcoal stove, the meat skewers are cooked to perfection. As you eagerly await their transformation, the succulent pork releases its sizzling fat, attaining a luscious golden hue and emitting a mouthwatering aroma that entices your senses. Indulging in these piping-hot pork skewers amidst the crisp, cool weather is an unparalleled experience. It not only allows you to relish the exquisite flavors of Mai Chau cuisine but also offers a glimpse into the distinctive climate of the enchanting Northwest mountains.

6. Grilled chicken with Mac Khen

Considered as the culinary soul of the Northwest, grilled chicken with Mac Khen is an indispensable specialty, recognized and appreciated by many gourmets. But what makes this dish so famous and delicious? The secret resides in the utilization of distinctive ingredients found solely in the embrace of the Northwest mountainous region. The sublime fusion of succulent hill chicken and the Mac Khen nut, also known as "wild pepper," creates a truly special taste experience. This exquisite amalgamation offers an enchanting flavor that awakens the taste buds. To fully enjoy this delicious grilled chicken dish, prepared in accordance with the revered culinary traditions of the Northwest, you should eat it with your hands, enjoy each bite, taste each tender piece of meat and feel the flavor.

7. Pia soup

Mai Chau's Pia soup is really an attractive dish, with a unique flavor that can be compared with the famous "Durian". This captivating soup, although not everyone can eat it, but anyone who has tasted it can never forget its exceptional essence. Also known as Khom soup, this traditional delicacy masterfully blends beef or goat offal with an array of authentic spices, showcasing the culinary prowess of the Thai people in Lac village. The rich flavor of this soup will be perfect when taken with a glass of wine or served with vermicelli. If you come to Mai Chau, you must definitely try this soup! embarking on a culinary adventure would be incomplete without savoring a bowl of this remarkable soup!

8. Ant eggs

If you discover the rich and unique cuisine of the Northwest, you cannot overlook the renowned delicacy of ant eggs. This is a rare specialty of Mai Chau, hard to find anywhere else. Ant eggs are nutritious, rich in protein, low in fat and contain many essential vitamins. From ant eggs, we can make many different dishes. Despite their insect origins, ant eggs offer an effortlessly enjoyable experience. Each egg possesses a delightful firmness, a hint of sweetness, and a wealth of nourishment, making them suitable for both young and old alike. Once reserved for intimate family gatherings and esteemed guests, ant eggs have now become seasonal specialties only available in the third lunar month. The allure of their scarcity has enticed numerous visitors to the Northwest, eager to savor this extraordinary treat derived from ant eggs.

9. Fried bee pupae with bamboo

Amongst the array of specialty dishes in Mai Chau, one stands out and leaves a lasting impression on visitors: fried bee pupae with bamboo. This unique dish is only available seasonally, from October to December of the lunar calendar. The bigger the bee pupae, the more delicious it tastes. Eating this dish can improve health and endurance, and reduce muscle fatigue. While it may appear daunting to indulge in, this dish has won the hearts of countless tourists.

10. Can wine

Can wine, a distinctive beverage, plays a significant role in the culinary culture enriched with the essence of the Thai people. With the arrival of festivals and the new year, villagers come together to indulge in this drink while engaging in lively conversations. Can wine is the result of the intelligence and ingenuity of the brave daughter-in-law, blending the flavors of the Mai Chau mountains, the distinct taste of sticky rice, and her own resourcefulness. This harmonious fusion results in a captivating and unparalleled flavor. When exploring Mai Chau, visitors can easily find Can wine available for purchase, making it an ideal gift to commemorate their journey.

With suggestions of Autour Asia, we hope you can know more about the cuisine, specifically the delicious dishes in Mai Chau. These dishes are prepared with typical spices of the Northwest region and the culinary expertise of the local inhabitants, offering an authentic taste of Vietnam's ethnic groups. A visit to Mai Chau would be incomplete without savoring these culinary treasures and experiencing the heartfelt hospitality of the talented local chefs.