Enjoy Carried-Under-Arm Pig: Ha Giang’s Unique Delicacy

Carried-Under-Arm Pig is one of the specialties that bring the distinctive flavor of Ha Giang, not only impresses with its delicious taste but also carries cultural stories and customs of the people in the northern mountainous region. Let’s explore the interesting things about Carried-Under-Arm Pig in Ha Giang together with Karst Plateau.

Introduction to Carried-Under-Arm Pig in Ha Giang

Ha Giang is known to many people for its majestic nature and winding passes. However, in addition to the natural beauty, the culinary culture here is also very unique and diverse. This place is the origin of famous dishes such as Thang Co, Bamboo rice, Thang Den, dried buffalo meat, and Au Tau Porridge. In particular, there is an extremely attractive dish with a unique name called Carried-Under-Arm Pig (Lợn Cắp Nách).

The Carried-Under-Arm Pig is a hybrid between wild boar and Muong pig, with many different characteristics compared to pig breeds in other places. The appearance of the Carried-Under-Arm Pig is easy to recognize with its long muzzle, and black bristles covering from nose to tail, as small as an adult domestic dog. From birth and growing up, pigs must learn how to find food, learn how to defend themselves and find a place to sleep. Thanks to adapting to harsh natural conditions, the snouts of this breed of pigs are quite long, strong, and sturdy, suitable for digging tree roots, digging the ground to catch insects and plants.

Origin of the name Carried-Under-Arm Pig

The name Carried-Under-Arm Pig sounds very strange, but in fact, it is simply called that based on the fact that people in Ha Giang often hug, carry or even hold pigs under their armpits to bring to the market to sell. Normally, lowland pig breeds, when ready for meat, will weigh from over 50kg to over 100kg, leading to the need to use cages and means of transportation when slaughtered. However, underarm pigs only weigh about 5kg to be able to get meat, the heaviest is only 10kg.

This, combined with the gravel and rough roads that are difficult to navigate, has created the Ha Giang people’s habit of holding pigs under their armpits to facilitate movement when selling. Gradually, people got used to the above image so they called this breed of pig the Carried-Under-Arm Pig.

Characteristic Flavor

Carried-Under-Arm Pig has a very unique flavor, not easily found elsewhere. The meat is naturally firm, sweet, and fragrant. When cooked, it still retains moderate softness without being crumbly like regular pork. The rich flavor of meat combined with typical spices such as mac khen, ginger, garlic, and pepper creates a dish that is both unique and easy to please diners.

This dish has a special flavor when prepared with traditional spices, combining perfectly with simple preparations such as grilling, boiling, or stir-frying, creating a harmonious combination of meat and natural spices. course, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience.

Dishes made from Carried-Under-Arm Pig

Carried-under-arm pig has become the main ingredient for many attractive dishes. From grilled to steamed, each dish represents the richness and diversity of highland people’s cuisine. The preparation method is also very simple but highlights the natural flavor of the meat.

List of dishes from pig meat

• Grilled meat: Pork is cut into medium pieces, and marinated with typical spices such as garlic, onions, ginger, chili, and especially pepper. Then, the meat is grilled over charcoal until charred and fragrant. When enjoying, you will feel the crispy skin on the outside and the soft, sweet meat inside
• Steamed meat: Steamed, preserving the fresh flavor of the meat and nutrients from the bones.
• Braised meat: The salty braised dish from the underarm pig has a rich, delicious flavor. Pork is braised with fish sauce, spices, sugar, pepper, and other typical spices until soft and attractive golden brown very suitable to enjoy with hot rice.
• Sauerkraut dish: Combined with meat, creating a more flavorful dish and stimulating the taste buds.

For diners, enjoying Carried-under-arm pig Ha Giang is not simply a taste of delicious dishes, but also an experience of customs and culture.

Criteria for choosing pigs to have delicious meat

Because Carried-Under-Arm-Pig eats things available in nature such as corn, potatoes, cassava, etc., so the meat is very firm, low in fat, lean, and above all, clean and safe for health. Besides, there are still some unique criteria for choosing armpit pigs to produce premium dishes.

• Appearance: Armpit pigs have a long, pointed snout and shaggy hair – signs that the pigs are of natural origin.
• The ears are small, the body is small but long, the hair is hard and long, and the tail is tiny and curly.
• Weight: Normally, pigs reach the age of one year and weigh about 8-10 kg, which is the ideal choice for delicious, firm meat.
• Raising method: Pigs are raised freely in a natural environment, which not only makes the meat rich but also clean and safe for health

How to prepare Carried-under-arm pig

Preparing a Carried-under-arm pig is also considered an art, a bridge between raw ingredients and delicious dishes. The processing process is very important to ensure that the pork is not only clean but also retains its natural flavor.

Basic processing steps include:

• Wash: After slaughtering the pig, it is necessary to wash it thoroughly to remove dirt and impurities on the skin surface.
• Shave the hair: Use a razor to clean the hair, if necessary, use boiling water to bare it, making it easier to remove the hair.
• Chop meat: Chop meat into bite-sized pieces, depending on the dish to be prepared.
• Marinate: Depending on the dish, the meat can be marinated with spices such as lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and typical spices of Ha Giang to enhance the flavor.

The place to sell Carried-Under-Arm-Pig in Ha Giang

Meo Vac Market

Meo Vac Market is one of the ideal places for you to find famous specialty products of Ha Giang, including Carried-under-arm pig. This is a gathering place for many small businesses from villages and different areas of the province, providing fresh and abundant products. You can easily find armpit pigs at meat counters here, often sold in parts or whole animals. Meo Vac Market not only stands out with delicious dishes but is also a place for you to learn about local culture through folk products.

Dong Van Market

Located in Dong Van town, Dong Van market is one of the famous destinations for tourists when coming to Ha Giang. This is a place where there are not only Carried-under-arm pigs but also many other highland specialties such as buffalo meat, honey, and clean fruits and vegetables. Although quite small, the Dong Van market is always crowded on weekends, with local merchants selling fresh and processed products.

Ha Giang specialty stores

In the central area of ​​Ha Giang city, you will find many specialty stores specializing in selling famous products of the Northern mountains, including Carried-under-arm pig. These stores usually have a stable supply, and you can also buy pre-processed pork such as grilled meat, roasted pork, or grilled pork. This is a convenient choice for those who do not have much time to go to the market.

Ethnic villages

If you want to experience the authentic, you can visit ethnic villages such as Meo Vac, Phu Linh, or other highland communes where ethnic minorities live. In these villages, you will find pigs raised in a natural way, grazing freely on large grasslands. These are pigs with firm and sweet meat, carefully cared for from food to living environment.

Specialty stores in resorts and homestays

Another option not to be missed when wanting to enjoy Carried-under-arm pig is resorts or homestays in Ha Giang. These locations are often combined with the sale of local specialty products, including Carried-under-arm pig. You can enjoy this dish right at the restaurant or buy it as a gift.

Read More: Top 8 specialties in Ha Giang that you should buy as gifts

Carried-under-arm pig is a dish that is not only simply enjoyed but is also a bridge between people who love culinary culture and the traditional values ​​of a special land. Dishes made from Carried-under-arm pigs not only contribute to enriching each family’s menu but also bring the feeling and experience of a unique culture. Visit Ha Giang once, to experience for yourself the delicious taste of armpit pork, along with the folk stories associated with this dish. For more Ha Giang specialty dishes and attractive tourist destinations, please visit the Karst Plateau website.