1. Delicious Lao Cai Specialties You Can Enjoy
1.1 Thang Co Bac Ha - A Famous Lao Cai Specialty of the H'Mong People
If you mention the cuisine of the Northwest highlands, you've probably heard of Thang Co. This is a specialty of Lao Cai, and is also widely popular throughout the provinces of the Northwest region, and is very popular with tourists whenever they visit this area.
Thang Co Bac Ha is a dish made from horse meat and offal, combined with many local spices to create a unique flavor. Nowadays, to give diners more choices, the people of Lao Cai also flexibly cook Thang Co with goat and beef to create more variety.
Suggested locations:
- Thang Co A Quynh Sapa: 15 Thach Son Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Thang Co A Phu Sapa: 5 Fansipan Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Cau May Restaurant: 92 Ngu Chi Son Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Thang Co Ngoc Cu: Luong Khanh Thien Street, Duyen Hai, Lao Cai
- Thang Co Hoa Dong Tien Restaurant: 29 Cau May Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price: 200,000 VND/serving
1.2 Pork from pigs raised in pigsty
This is a local breed of pig that feeds on vegetables and leftovers, resulting in firm, flavorful meat. People in Lao Cai often use this pork to prepare many delicious dishes, such as grilled pork and roasted pork.
Suggested locations:
- Thac Bac Restaurant: Km12, Thac Bac Tourist Area, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Gerbera Restaurant: 31 Cau May Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Lotus Restaurant: 34 Cau May Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Phuong Ngoan Restaurant: 13C Nguyen Hue Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price range: 70,000 - 150,000 VND/dish
1.3 Sapa Salmon
Famous for being one of the largest salmon farming areas in the country, the salmon in Sapa is known for its freshness, delicious taste, and attractive orange flesh, along with its high nutritional value. This Lao Cai specialty can be enjoyed in various ways, such as raw sashimi, hot pot, grilled, or sour soup. Locals also use salmon to make delicious fish floss, perfect as a gift for friends or family.
Suggested locations:
- Xuan Vien Sapa Restaurant: 39 Xuan Vien, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Song Nhi Restaurant: Group 2, O Quy Ho Ward, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Thac Bac Restaurant: Km12, Thac Bac Tourist Area, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price range: 150,000 - 600,000 VND
1.4 Dried buffalo meat
This is a Lao Cai specialty that bears the distinctive mark of Northwest highland cuisine. Smoked buffalo meat is a dish closely associated with the Black Thai people, boasting a sweet, chewy, and firm texture, with lean meat that isn't greasy. The Black Thai people marinate buffalo meat with spices, then smoke it over a fire to cook it using the smoke. When cooked, Sapa smoked buffalo meat has a reddish-brown color and a very appealing smoky aroma.
Suggested locations:
- Viet’s Farm: 26 Dong Loi, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Xuan Truong Supermarket: 46 Ngu Chi Son, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price range: 750,000 - 850,000 VND/kg
1.5 Stream fish
Lao Cai's specialty stream fish dishes are renowned for their firm, flavorful, and nutritious meat, and are only available during the rainy season. Stream fish are prepared in many ways, but the most delicious is undoubtedly the fragrant grilled fish.
Suggested locations:
- Sapa Salmon King Restaurant: 15A Le Van Tam, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Chapa Restaurant: 40 Cau May, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Sapa Lotus Restaurant: 34 Cau May, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price range: 100,000 - 275,000 VND/dish
1.6 Bac Ha Sour Pho
If you have the chance to visit Bac Ha, sour pho is a Lao Cai specialty you absolutely cannot miss. The special feature of this dish is the broth, made from fermented pickled mustard greens, served with chewy pho noodles, fragrant roasted peanuts, tender pork, and a touch of spicy chili sauce for an even more delicious taste.
Suggested locations:
- Bac Ha Market: Bac Ha, Lao Cai
Price: 40,000 VND/bowl
1.7 Bamboo rice
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes (Com Lam) is a dish closely associated with the cuisine of the Northwest highlands. These tubes of sticky rice are baked over charcoal to create a slightly charred outer layer, while the rice inside remains pristine white and fragrant. To fully enjoy the flavor of this Lao Cai specialty, you can dip it in sesame salt or eat it with grilled chicken or grilled pork skewers – all delicious.
Suggested locations:
- Sapa BBQ area: Cau May Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Cat Cat Village: Sapa, Lao Cai
- A Quynh Restaurant: 15 Thach Son Street, Sapa, Lao Cai
Price range: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/tube
1.8 Five-Colored Sticky Rice
A traditional dish of the Nung ethnic group, five-colored sticky rice boasts an eye-catching appearance, as its name suggests. The sticky rice is cooked with various leaves and fruits from the forest, creating beautiful colors while ensuring safety for diners. This Lao Cai specialty pairs well with grilled meat and sesame salt.
Suggested locations:
- Muong Khuong District, Lao Cai
Price range: 50,000 - 100,000 VND/serving
19. Braised Pork Belly (Khau Nhuc)
Originating from Chinese cuisine, this dish has been adapted by locals in Lao Cai to suit local tastes. Khau Nhuc boasts an attractive reddish-brown color and is made from pork belly with a good balance of lean and fat. The meat is marinated and braised until tender, and is delicious served with white rice.
Suggested locations:
- Lao Cai Khau Nhuc Restaurant: 153 Ngoc Uyen Street, Ta Chai, Bac Ha, Lao Cai
- Hong Ha Vien Restaurant: 188 Duyen Hai Street, Duyen Hai Ward, Lao Cai
Price range: from 160,000 VND
1.10 Cuon Sui (Steamed Rice Rolls)
Also known as Pho Khan (Dry Noodle Soup), Cuon Sui consists of rice noodles, crispy fried cassava, beef, herbs, roasted peanuts, pepper, chili, and is served with a special thick sauce. When enjoying this Lao Cai specialty, you can mix everything together and then eat it with fresh vegetables.
Suggested locations:
- Ong Ha Restaurant, 591 Dien Bien Phu, Sapa, Lao Cai
- Cuon Sui, Wonton Noodles and Dumplings Restaurant: 068 An Phu, Lao Cai
Price range: 35,000 - 50,000 VND/bowl
2. Lao Cai Specialties to Buy as Gifts
2.1 San Lung Wine
This is a famous wine of the Dao people, made from upland sticky rice according to a unique recipe. The wine has an attractive aroma and does not cause headaches when drunk.
Reference price: 69,000 VND/bottle
2.2 Séng Cù Rice
Séng Cù rice is a specialty of Lao Cai province, mainly found in the Muong Khuong and Bat Xat areas. It's a famous, sticky, and fragrant rice, highly favored by discerning diners.
Suggested locations:
- Lao Cai Local Products Supermarket: Bitexco Urban Area, Tran Hung Dao Boulevard, Bac Cuong, Lao Cai
- Anh Nguyen Clean Food Store: 109 Hong Ha Street, Coc Leu, Lao Cai
- Oanh Vinh Agency: Entrance to Sapa New Market, N1 Road, Group 3B, Sapa, Lao Cai
Reference price: 35,000 VND/kg
2.3 Tam Hoa Plums
This is a unique product found only in the Lao Cai region. Tam Hoa plums have a very appealing sweet and sour taste and are in season from May to the end of June.
Suggested location: Sapa Market
Price range: 10,000 - 50,000 VND/kg
2.4 Bac Ha Corn Wine
This is a famous Lao Cai specialty of the H'Mong people. The wine is brewed from plump, golden corn, and has a very appealing, fragrant aroma.
Suggested location: Cao Son Market
Price range: 35,000 - 45,000 VND/liter
2.5 Wild Apple Wine
Wild apple wine is a specialty of the Dao people in Lao Cai. This wine is brewed from wild apples, has a reddish-brown color, and a fragrant aroma. Locals often drink it after breakfast to replenish their energy.
Suggested location: Cao Son Market
Price: 100,000 VND/liter
Lao Cai's specialties encapsulate the flavors of Northwest Vietnam's highland cuisine, possessing unique characteristics found only in this region. If you're planning a trip to Lao Cai, don't forget to save this article from MIA.vn as a guide for your upcoming journey.