Summary of Bac Ninh's specialties:
- Notable delicacies: Bui village spring rolls, Dinh Bang rat meat, Mao Dien rice rolls, Tich Nghi fish porridge.
- Specialties for souvenirs: Dinh Bang Phu The cake, Cho village rice cake, Diem village sticky rice cake, Lang Van wine.
- Advice: It's best to buy from the original villages for authentic taste and meaningful gifts when visiting Bac Ninh.
- Suggested accommodation: Vinpearl Hotel Bac Ninh - suitable for couples, groups of friends, families, and business travelers.
1. Dinh Bang Phu The Cake
What to eat in Bac Ninh? Bac Ninh Phu The cake is a traditional dish deeply rooted in the culture of Kinh Bac, especially the cakes from Dinh Bang village. This cake stands out with its translucent outer layer made from soft, chewy glutinous rice flour, encasing a sweet and savory mung bean filling blended with rich, creamy grated coconut.
Each cake is meticulously wrapped in green dong leaves, tied with traditional red thread, and subtly scented with pomelo blossom or banana oil, creating a refreshing and delicate sensation. Its harmonious, easy-to-eat flavor and unforgettable aftertaste have made Dinh Bang Phu The cake from Bac Ninh an indispensable gift at weddings. At the same time, this cake is also a beautiful symbol of the faithful and enduring love between couples.
2. Cho Village Rice Cake
Cho Village rice cake is one of the famous rustic specialties of Yen Phong district, Bac Ninh province. The cake is made from finely ground rice flour, wrapped in dong leaves or banana leaves. The filling is a harmonious combination of minced pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, dried onions, and pepper, creating a rich and fragrant flavor.
When eaten, you will clearly feel the soft, chewy texture of the cake without it falling apart, and the fragrant filling spreading attractively. It is this simplicity and distinctive flavor that has made Cho Village rice cake a favorite Bac Ninh delicacy among many tourists.
3. Diem Village Sticky Rice Cake
What is a specialty of Bac Ninh? Diem Village sticky rice cake is a familiar dish closely associated with the simple lifestyle of the people in the Quan Ho region. The cake is made from fresh "khuc" leaves, a type of leaf that grows along the edges of rice fields, which are ground and mixed with glutinous rice flour, creating a soft, chewy green outer layer with a unique aroma.
The filling consists of mashed mung beans and braised pork belly, rich and flavorful without being greasy. When steamed, the cake emits an alluring aroma, with a smooth, soft outer layer and a hot, delicious filling. Not only is it a familiar dish on chilly days, Diem Village sticky rice cake is also a Bac Ninh specialty that makes a heartfelt and sincere gift, just like the people of this region.
4. Tich Nghi Fish Porridge
What delicious specialties does Bac Ninh have? Among the must-try specialties of Bac Ninh is Tich Nghi fish porridge.
The porridge is made from fragrant rice, simmered until tender with a sweet, smooth, and non-greasy fish broth. The fish, a cleaned tilapia, is deboned, braised with onions, pepper, and fish sauce, then sprinkled evenly over the hot porridge. Adding a little chopped scallions, coriander, and ground pepper creates an irresistible aroma.
5. Dinh Bang Rat Meat
A specialty of Bac Ninh, Dinh Bang rat meat originates from the Tu Son region. Field rats are cleaned, marinated with rich flavors, and then prepared into dishes such as grilled, stir-fried with salt, or stir-fried with lemongrass and chili.
The rat meat is firm, fragrant, not fishy, and has a unique, spicy flavor, perfect for enjoying with a glass of local rice wine. This is sure to be a specialty dish in Bac Ninh that will pique the curiosity and delight of many tourists.
6. Bui Village Nem (fermented pork sausage)
Bui Village Nem is one of Bac Ninh's famous specialties, originating from Bui Village, Ninh Xa Commune, former Thuan Thanh District (now Ninh Xa Ward, Bac Ninh Province). The nem is made from shredded pork skin, mixed with roasted rice flour, seasoned, and wrapped in fresh banana leaves. When eaten, it has a slightly sour taste, a crunchy texture, and a fragrant aroma of roasted rice flour and fermented leaves – very appetizing.
Especially, Bui Village Nem is often served with raw garlic, fig leaves, or Gynura procumbens leaves, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. If you're wondering what Bac Ninh specialties to give as gifts, Bui Village Nem is a simple yet meaningful local gift, expressing the sincerity and hospitality of the giver.
7. Mao Dien Rice Rolls
A specialty of Bac Ninh, Mao Dien rice rolls are one of the renowned delicacies of Thuan Thanh district. The rolls are handcrafted using high-quality rice flour to create a thin, white, and soft wrapper. The filling is a simple combination of minced meat, wood ear mushrooms, and fragrant fried onions.
However, the highlight that makes Mao Dien rice rolls so special is the perfectly seasoned dipping sauce, served with cinnamon pork sausage or pickled vegetables. All of this creates a harmonious, rich, and unforgettable flavor.
8. Pho Gan Chay (Burnt Liver Pho)
What is a specialty of Bac Ninh? Pho Gan Chay, a specialty of Bac Ninh, is a unique and unusual dish from the Quan Ho region. This dish is a harmonious combination of traditional pho and meticulously prepared pork liver. Instead of beef or chicken like in typical pho, pho Gan Chay uses thinly sliced pork liver, marinated with rich flavors, and pan-fried until slightly browned and fragrant.
This Bac Ninh pho is served with a clear, sweet broth made from carefully simmered bones, accompanied by soft rice noodles, scallions, herbs, and especially the rich, crispy-on-the-side, tender-on burnt liver. Because of its appealing and unique flavor, pho Gan Chay has become a favorite breakfast dish for many locals.
9. Que Vo Salted Cantaloupe
Que Vo salted cantaloupe is one of Bac Ninh's indispensable summer specialties. The main ingredient is cantaloupe grown in the Que Vo region.
It must be a perfectly ripe fruit, then peeled, sliced, and pickled in salt according to a special recipe, resulting in a crispy, slightly sour, salty, yet refreshing cantaloupe. This Que Vo Bac Ninh specialty is often served with hot rice, braised meat, fried fish, or simply dipped in chili sauce – all equally delicious.
10. Van Village Wine
What are Bac Ninh's specialties? When mentioning Bac Ninh's specialties, people often immediately think of Van Village wine. This wine originates from Van Village, Van Ha Commune, Viet Yen District, former Bac Giang Province (now Van Ha Ward, Bac Ninh Province).
The wine is brewed using glutinous rice and a secret traditional herbal yeast blend with over 30 ingredients, boasting a rich, smooth aroma that becomes sweeter and more flavorful the longer it ages. Van village rice wine is not only a familiar drink during Tet holidays, village festivals, or celebrations. It is also a symbol of the traditional culture of the Quan Ho region and a specialty of Bac Ninh province, often given as a gift or offered to honored guests.
11. Dinh To Soy Sauce
Dinh To soy sauce is one of the long-standing traditional specialties of Dinh To commune, former Thuan Thanh district (now Tri Qua ward, Bac Ninh province). The soy sauce is made from familiar ingredients such as soybeans, glutinous rice, salt, and clean water, fermented using traditional methods.
After many months, it creates a soy sauce with a rich flavor, a glossy brown color, a fragrant aroma, and a characteristic sweet aftertaste. Dinh To soy sauce is very popular as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables and meat, or as an accompaniment to familiar dishes such as banh duc (rice cake) and bun dau (vermicelli with tofu)... When you come here, don't miss this famous Bac Ninh specialty!
12. Wild Birds
A Bac Ninh specialty – wild birds – is a dish often found in roadside eateries and restaurants, but it leaves a deep impression on diners visiting Kinh Bac. This dish is made from various birds such as sparrows, doves, herons, and starlings… hunted by locals according to the season.
After cleaning, the birds are marinated with spices and then prepared into many delicious dishes such as roasted, grilled, steamed, stir-fried with salt, or stir-fried with lemongrass and chili. The meat is fragrant, firm, flavorful, and nutritious; the more you eat, the more addictive it becomes. Especially, this dish tastes even better when enjoyed with a glass of local rice wine on chilly days.
13. Ke Rice Crackers
A specialty of Bac Ninh province, Ke rice crackers are a famous dish from Ke village, Vu Ninh ward, Bac Ninh province. Unlike many other types of rice crackers, Ke rice crackers are made from high-quality rice, mixed with black sesame seeds, mung beans, or roasted peanuts, then thinly spread, dried, and grilled over charcoal until crispy.
The special feature of Ke rice crackers is the fragrant aroma of the rice, the light richness from the sesame and beans, and the irresistible crispness. They can be eaten as a snack, dipped in sweet soup, served with vermicelli, or used in wraps – all delicious.
14. Ho Chicken
Ho chicken is a rare and precious breed, a famous specialty of Lac Tho village, Ho ward, former Thuan Thanh town (now Thuan Thanh ward, Bac Ninh province). For a long time, Ho chicken has been considered a "royal" dish because of its large size, majestic appearance, upright red comb, glossy feathers, and especially its delicious, firm, and lean meat.
This Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh specialty - Ho chicken - is prepared in many ways such as boiled, grilled with honey, or stewed with medicinal herbs… all retaining its natural sweetness and rich flavor unlike any other chicken breed. This is the pride of the people of Bac Ninh and also one of the culinary cultural symbols of the Kinh Bac region.
15. Thi Cau Sweet Potato Cake
A Bac Ninh specialty, Thi Cau sweet potato cake is a rustic dish associated with the childhood of many people from Bac Ninh, especially the Thi Cau area (now Vu Ninh ward, Bac Ninh province). This cake is made from mashed sweet potatoes, mixed with rice flour and sugar, then shaped into balls and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy in hot oil.
The appeal of this Bac Ninh specialty lies in its crispy outer layer and soft, chewy, slightly sweet, and fragrant sweet potato interior. The cakes are typically sold in the afternoons at small roadside stalls and street vendors, becoming a familiar and beloved snack for the people of the Quan Ho region.
16. Phu Luu Snails
Phu Luu snails, a specialty of Bac Ninh province, have long been a favorite dish not only among locals but also tourists. These snails are famous in the Tu Son region of Bac Ninh province. Unlike other popular snail dishes elsewhere, Phu Luu snails are prepared in a unique style, rich in flavor and spicy, leaving a lasting impression.
The snails here are usually boiled, stir-fried with tamarind, stir-fried with coconut, or steamed with lime leaves… but the most outstanding is the spicy stir-fried snails with lemongrass, chili, and delicious, fragrant fish sauce. A plate of hot snails, served with fresh vegetables and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, is enough to make you exclaim in delight. This is a familiar snack, both simple and distinctive, contributing to the richness of Bac Ninh's culinary map.
Bac Ninh's specialties are not just delicious dishes, but also the soul of the culinary culture of the Kinh Bac region, a land with a thousand years of history. Each dish tells a story, a unique flavor, contributing to its distinctive character and captivating visitors from near and far. This article answers the questions "What are Bac Ninh's specialties?" and "What delicious food does Bac Ninh have to offer?". Don't forget to try them to fully experience the culinary essence of this region.