Welcome to the ultimate guide to the gastronomic delights of Ninh Binh! This region of Vietnam is filled with culinary treasures that will surely delight your taste buds. Get ready for a memorable culinary journey as we present to you the 7 most delicious dishes not to be missed during your visit to Ninh Binh. Authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and traditional cuisine await you for a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Get ready to indulge yourself!
1. Ninh Binh crispy rice - Cơm cháy
Burned rice, one of the best specialities in Ninh Binh, can be found across Vietnam, but the version Ninh Binh crispy rice is truly special. Made from 100% fragrant glutinous rice with round, fluffy grains, it is cooked in a cast-iron pot over charcoal until the bottom layer turns crisp and golden. The rice is then sun-dried naturally, allowing it to keep its texture and flavor for longer.
This Ninh Binh dish is loved for its perfect balance of crunch and softness, paired with the savory, aromatic taste of ruốc (a type of dipping sauce). While the classic version is already delicious, Ninh Binh burnt rice also comes in flavorful variations such as shrimp fried rice and onion-fat fried rice, each offering a unique twist worth trying.
Some brands for Ninh Binh crispy rice are recommended:
- Cơm cháy Ninh Bình cố đô (36,000 vnd / pack)
- Cơm cháy Nếp Hương (45,000 vnd / pack)
- Cơm cháy Hoa Lư (36,000 vnd / pack)
2. Ninh Binh mountain's goat (Thịt dê)
What to eat in Ninh Binh? Let yourself be captivated by the flavors of Ninh Binh’s mountain goat, prized for its firm, succulent texture and rich taste. To visit this region without savoring this Ninh Binh local specialty would be a true missed opportunity.
Thanks to a variety of cooking methods, Ninh Binh goat meat is transformed into an array of irresistible dishes, from delicate goat rolls and tender steamed goat to smoky grilled goat and goat served with fragrant ginger sauce. Each preparation not only showcases the unique flavor of the meat but also preserves its exceptional nutritional value.
Locals believe that mountain goat meat offers health benefits, making it as wholesome as it is delicious. So, when you find yourself in Ninh Binh, don’t hesitate to indulge in this Ninh Binh's specialty. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll carry home a memory of flavors you won’t soon forget.
Where to eat in Ninh Binh for the best goat meat ? You can refer to some recommended addresses:
- Add: Khê Thượng, Ninh Thuận, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình
- Tel: +84 94 842 6882
- Add: Ngô Quyền, Đông Thành, Ninh Bình, Việt Nam
- Tel: +84 97 216 2261
3. Eel Vermicelli - Miến lươn
Eel vermicelli is an emblematic and unique Ninh Binh must-see dish. Prepared with smooth vermicelli noodles combined with fresh eel, Ninh Binh's eel vermicelli offers a perfect balance between the sweetness of the eel, the slight acidity of vinegar, the savory flavor of fish sauce, and the intoxicating aroma of spices.
Ninh Binh's eel can be cooked in different ways to create variations of this delicious dish, such as eel vermicelli in water, fried eel vermicelli, or roasted tamarind eel vermicelli. What to eat in Ninh Binh? The tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the eel, combined with the fluffy vermicelli noodles and flavorful broth, provides a unique and pleasant culinary experience.
When enjoying this Ninh Binh specialty, you can also add fresh vegetables such as raw vegetables, lettuce, or coriander to bring freshness and an extra touch of richness to this already delightful dish. It is a gastronomic experience not to be missed during your visit to Ninh Binh.
Some recommended addresses:
- Add: 999 Trần Hưng Đạo, Thanh bình, Ninh Bình, Việt Nam
4. Bún mọc Kim Sơn
Bún Mọc Kim Sơn is a tasty and unique dish originating from the Kim Sơn region. It consists of rice noodles, flavorful pork meatballs, and other delicious ingredients that harmoniously come together to create an exceptional culinary experience.
The pork meatballs in Bún Mọc Kim Sơn are carefully prepared by mixing minced pork with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. These meatballs are then steamed to achieve a tender and juicy texture. They are served on a bed of fresh rice noodles, accompanied by fresh vegetables such as aromatic herbs, bean sprouts, and julienned vegetables.
What sets Bún Mọc Kim Sơn apart is the unique flavor of its sauce. A slightly sweet and salty sauce, made from fragrant pork broth, is poured over the meatballs and noodles, adding an extra dimension of taste to this delicious dish.
Some recommended addresses:
- Add: National Road 10, Kim Son, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
5. Bún chả quạt
Bún Chả Quạt is a delicious and iconic dish from the Ninh Binh region. It is famous for its flavorful combination of grilled pork and rice noodles, accompanied by a variety of fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables.
To prepare Bún Chả Quạt, the pork is marinated with traditional Vietnamese spices and then slowly grilled until it reaches a tender and juicy texture. The grilled meat pieces are then served on a bed of fresh rice noodles, typically garnished with aromatic herbs such as mint, coriander, and Vietnamese basil. Fresh vegetables like bean sprouts, cucumbers, and julienned carrots add a touch of freshness and crunch to the dish.
What makes Bún Chả Quạt so special is its delicious sauce. A sweet and sour sauce made with nước mắm (fish sauce), vinegar, sugar, and garlic is served separately, allowing diners to adjust it according to their personal preferences. By dipping the grilled meat pieces into this fragrant sauce, you'll experience an explosion of flavors in every bite. Bún Chả Quạt is not only a delight for the taste buds but also provides an authentic culinary experience, immersing you in the flavors and traditions of Vietnamese cuisine.
Some recommended addresses:
- Add: Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Việt Nam
- Tel: +84 94 884 7234
Bún chả Thế Ngọc - 16 Phạm Hồng Thái, Thanh bình, Ninh Bình, Việt Nam
- Add: 16 Phạm Hồng Thái, Thanh bình, Ninh Bình, Việt Nam
- Tel: +84 83 359 0261
6. Xôi trứng kiến
This dish showcases sticky rice, also known as xôi, paired with ant eggs, creating a combination of interesting flavors and textures. The sticky rice is cooked until it becomes soft and sticky, then it is mixed with ant eggs, which add a unique and slightly acidic flavor to the dish. Ant eggs are harvested from ant nests and are appreciated for their delicate taste and crunchy texture.
Xôi Trứng Kiến can be enjoyed as is or enhanced with various toppings such as crispy fried onions, scallions, crushed peanuts, or marinated pork. Each bite of this dish is a harmonious blend of the sweetness of sticky rice, the unique aroma of ant eggs, and the different textures of the complementary ingredients.
This delicious dish is not only appreciated for its flavor but also for its cultural and traditional significance. It is often served on special occasions, festivals, or celebrations to symbolize abundance and prosperity
7. Cá chuối nướng
Grilled banana fish is a beloved culinary specialty of the Ninh Binh region. This delicious dish features fresh fish grilled and wrapped in a banana leaf, creating a unique combination of flavors and textures. The wrapped fish is slowly grilled over hot charcoals, resulting in a tender and juicy texture with a slight caramelization on the outside. This traditional cooking method allows the flavors to blend harmoniously, creating a dish that is both smoky and flavorful.
Grilled banana fish from Ninh Binh is typically served with fresh vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles, offering a complete and balanced culinary experience. You can also enjoy it with a spicy fish sauce or a sweet and sour sauce to enhance its unique flavors.
During your visit to Ninh Binh, don't miss the opportunity to savor this local specialty, grilled banana fish. You will be delighted by the explosion of flavors and the exceptional quality of this traditional dish
In conclusion, Ninh Binh is a culinary destination that will delight the taste buds of Vietnamese cuisine enthusiasts. The dishes mentioned in this article are just a glimpse of the culinary delights you can discover in this region. Whether you are a fan of fresh seafood, flavorful rice dishes, or unique specialties, Ninh Binh has something to offer for every palate.
While exploring the bustling streets of Ninh Binh, you will be enchanted by the abundance of food stalls, local restaurants, and picturesque establishments inviting you to taste their specialties. Don't miss the opportunity to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden culinary treasures.
