Northern Vietnamese Food is not only rich but also carries unique cultural values, reflecting the history and spirit of the people here. With fresh local ingredients, Northern dishes bring diners a rich and sophisticated culinary experience. In this article, Karst Plateau will introduce you to typical Northern Vietnamese Food, helping you to clearly understand the sophistication and richness of Vietnamese cuisine.
Pho
One of the symbols of Northern Vietnamese Food is Pho. This dish always makes people fall in love with its light flavor, rich broth, and soft and smooth rice noodles. The broth is simmered from bones, not only bringing a rich flavor but also demonstrating sophistication in preparation. The flavor of pho can vary depending on the region, but Hanoians always preserve the classic recipe, with a light broth that is not at all greasy.
The special thing about Pho is the perfect combination of Pho noodles, beef, or chicken, along with fresh herbs such as basil, bean sprouts, or fresh onions. Each bowl of pho is elaborated by the seller from processing to presentation, creating a colorful culinary picture that captivates many diners.
If you have the opportunity to set foot in Hanoi, you definitely have to try a bowl of pho at famous pho restaurants such as Pho Thin, Pho Bat Dan, or Pho Ly Quoc Su. This is not only a dish but also a cultural beauty, where you can feel the breath of Hanoi life.
Bun Cha
Bun Cha (Grilled Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli Noodles) is also a specialty not to be missed when mentioning Northern Vietnamese Food. This is a unique dish, showing the interference between the culinary culture of Northern people. This dish is made from grilled pork, usually shoulder or rump, marinated with typical spices and grilled over charcoal, creating a charming aroma. When enjoying, bun cha is served with fresh vermicelli and raw vegetables, helping to increase the harmony between flavors.
Bun cha dipping sauce is one of the important highlights, usually prepared from fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar, in the perfect ratio to bring a sweet, slightly sour, very attractive taste. This can be considered an ideal dish for cool afternoons in Hanoi, along with the chilly wind that is very typical of the North.
The ingredients in Bun Cha are very diverse, creating a nutritious meal. You can enjoy Bun Cha with fried green rice, a special type of fried rice that has a delicious and greasy flavor from fresh green rice. The most famous bun cha restaurant that cannot be ignored is Bun Cha Huong Lien. This place was visited by President Obama and enjoyed this dish, showing the irresistible appeal of Bun Cha.
Bun Dau Mam Tom
Bun Dau Mam Tom (Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Fried Tofu and Shrimp Paste) is a prominent dish in the list of Northern Vietnamese Food, loved not only for its flavor but also for its simplicity. This dish is made from fresh vermicelli, crispy fried tofu, boiled meat, and signature shrimp fish sauce. It is this combination that creates an exciting, irresistible culinary experience.
In particular, shrimp paste is the soul of vermicelli and tofu, and must be prepared to the right taste to bring out the most attractive flavor. Diners often choose side dishes such as spring rolls, intestines, or raw vegetables to enrich the meal. One of the famous vermicelli restaurants is Bun Dau 89 Dinh Dong, which serves vermicelli meals at affordable prices and impressive quality.
Vermicelli with tofu and shrimp paste is not simply a dish that you should try on the northern Vietnamese Food list, but it is also a culinary experience, expressing the close cultural atmosphere of the Hanoi people.
Banh Da Cua
Banh Da Cua (Red Noodle Soup with Crab) is a dish that is not only delicious but also beautiful with a harmonious combination of ingredients. This dish includes banh da – a type of noodle made from rice flour, broth from fresh crab, and many ingredients such as shrimp, fish cakes, and raw vegetables. The broth is cooked from brick crabs and bones, creating a natural sweetness, blended with the delicious flavors of spices, Northern Vietnamese Food is expressed through the balance and harmony of each ingredient. create a delicious and attractive dish.
Each bowl of crab cakes is not only a dish but also a work of art with eye-catching colors, and captivating diners at first sight. The flavor of crab cakes brings a feeling of fullness and warmth, often enjoyed on cool days, creating intimacy.
Banh Da Cua, Hai Phong is not only a traditional dish but also makes a special mark in Northern Vietnamese Food. A delicious bowl of Banh Da Cua will bring you an unforgettable experience in your journey to discover Northern Vietnamese Food.Â
Cha Muc
Cha Muc (squid cake) is a famous dish, that brings a unique flavor from fresh squid. Cha Muc is made from squid, pureed, and combined with spices. Then, this mixture is fried until golden brown, creating golden patties that are crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside. The aroma of the dish is irresistible.
Cha Muc is often served with other dishes such as rice rolls or rice, creating a wonderful and rich culinary experience in the journey to discover Northern Vietnamese Food. This dish only attractive in appearance but also enchanting with the fresh taste of seafood, worth trying every time you visit this land.
Thit Trau Gac Bep
Thit Trau Gac Bep in Northwest (Smoked buffalo meat) is one of Northern Vietnamese Food’s unique specialties, made from fresh buffalo meat, marinated with natural spices such as mac khen, doi seeds, garlic, and chili. This dish is often smoked on a wood stove for a long time to preserve and create a unique flavor. Thanks to that, buffalo meat not only retains its natural sweetness but also has the appeal and charm of the fragrant smoke.
When enjoying Thit Trau Gac Bep, you will feel the softness of the meat, the sweetness of the buffalo meat mixed with the scent of kitchen smoke. This is a dish often found at large parties or on occasions to thank friends and relatives, bringing a feeling of closeness and warmth. Thit Trau Gac Bep is not simply a dish. It is also a part of the cultural history of the Northwest people, bringing unforgettable experiences to those who have tried it.
Com Lam
Com Lam (Bamboo Cooked Sticky Rice) is a unique dish, made from sticky rice, cooked in bamboo tubes. The process of cooking Com Lam is an art, not simply a matter of mastering the technique but also of ingenuity in choosing ingredients. When cooked, bamboo rice will have the natural aroma of bamboo, creating a unique flavor that no other dish can replace.
Com Lam is often enjoyed with grilled meat or wild dishes such as grilled chicken and grilled fish. The aromatic flavor, combined with side dishes, creates the perfect taste for diners. Besides flavor, Com Lam also carries the cultural identity of the people here. Therefore, this dish has become an indispensable part of the list of Northern Vietnamese foods.
Bun Ca
When it comes to Hai Phong, certainly Bun Ca (fish noodle soup) is a typical dish that cannot be missed when discovering Northern Vietnamese Food. This dish is made from vermicelli and a delicious fish broth, usually mackerel or grass carp. The broth is simmered from fish heads and bones, bringing natural sweetness and a very attractive aroma. Diners often eat noodles with fresh raw vegetables such as water spinach, lettuce, and spices.
The unique feature of Bun Ca is the blend between the sweetness of the broth and the freshness of the fish, creating a dish that is both rich and refreshing. The best Bun Ca can be found at Bun Ca Cay Shop 66 Le Loi, where diners will enjoy a bowl of noodle soup with quality broth and reasonable prices. This dish has become a symbol of cuisine here, with an unforgettable taste.
Com (green rice)
Vong village Com (green rice) is one of Hanoi’s most famous specialties, prominent in Northern Vietnamese Food, not only bringing a sweet flavor but also demonstrating sophistication in the production process. Vong Village is famous for its young Com grains, harvested at the right ripeness to ensure quality. The process of processing Com is very sophisticated, from selecting rice, and roasting to pounding, the workers who make green rice are always meticulous so that each grain of green rice meets the best standards.
Com is often enjoyed pure or combined with many other dishes such as green beans or used to make cakes. Not only does it bring delicious flavor, but Com also reminds us of the traditional cultural values ​​of Hanoi and is an indispensable part of Hanoi’s autumn.
Ninh Binh Goat Meat
When mentioning Northern Vietnamese Food, it is impossible not to mention goat dishes, typical of Ninh Binh. This menu always receives high praise from visitors because the goat meat here is very firm and nutritious. This can be explained by the fact that goats often eat the rich herbs in this area. With the growing environment in Ninh Binh, where there are many types of herbs, it is not difficult to understand that the daily food of goats here often contains valuable medicinal herbs.
Ninh Binh goat meat is one of the quality ingredients to create unique Northern Vietnamese Food delicacies. Goat meat can be processed into many delicious dishes such as rare goat meat with lemon, sauteed, blood pudding, grilled, steamed, hot pot, stewed, etc., and all are loved and appreciated by diners.
Northern Vietnamese Food is not only diverse but also contains rich stories, history, and culture. Each dish has its own unique flavor and preparation, reflecting the enthusiasm of the people here. The blend of flavors, colors, and cultures in each dish will bring you extremely rich and interesting culinary experiences. Surely those who have ever enjoyed Northern Vietnamese Food will not be able to forget the rich flavors and memorable memories of this land. For more information and travel tips in Vietnam, please visit the Karst Plateau website.