Suggestion: Special Dishes in Ha Nam that Leave Visitors Praising Their Deliciousness

Ha Nam, a land that not only preserves many spiritual and cultural values but also offers you rich culinary experiences bearing the characteristics of the Northern Delta region. Let's explore the unique cuisine of the traditional countryside of Ha Nam with Tien Loc Palace Hotel through this article.

1.Braised Fish from Vu Dai Village

The famous braised fish of Vu Dai Village is a renowned specialty. If you visit Ha Nam without trying the braised fish of Vu Dai Village, it would indeed be a big miss.

The braised fish of Vu Dai Village also goes by the name "Dai Hoang Braised Fish," originating from Nhan Chinh Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam Province. According to legend, the braised fish of Vu Dai Village dates back to a time when, during the Tet holiday, the villagers of Vu Dai did not have money to buy food but still wished to offer delicious dishes and a lavish feast to their ancestors. Therefore, the villagers of Vu Dai at that time researched and created the braised fish dish to express their sincerity and gratitude to their ancestors.

The process of making braised fish is laborious and requires a significant amount of time to complete and achieve the authentic flavor. As described by the villagers, to make a delicious pot of braised fish, fresh black carp caught on the same day must be used and braised in an earthen pot over charcoal made from longan wood to eliminate any fishy odor. Spices play a crucial role in creating the distinctive flavor of the braised fish from Vu Dai Village. The harmonious combination of diverse natural ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, lime, crab extract, onion, black pepper, fresh chili, and bone broth has created the perfect flavor for this rustic dish. The fish is braised for an extended period, ranging from 18 to 20 hours. The cooking process demands meticulousness and care from the chef, who must continuously monitor and adjust the temperature to ensure that the fish is evenly cooked, infused with the spices, and retains its distinctive aroma and flavor.

The unique characteristic of the Vu Dai braised fish is its tender and melt-in-your-mouth fish meat, fully infused with rich flavors. The fish bones are soft enough to chew without creating a gritty sensation. The wonderful combination of the sweet flavor from the fish meat and the complex aroma of natural spices like turmeric, ginger, fish sauce, and soy sauce creates an incredibly appealing dish. When enjoyed with hot, steamed white rice, the braised fish from Vu Dai Village becomes even more flavorful, making for a delightful and heartwarming family meal. The sweet and rich flavors of the fish, blended with the pungent spiciness of chili, the tangy sourness of lime, and the savory richness of fish sauce, create a unique flavor symphony that stimulates the taste buds, leaving an unforgettable culinary experience. The braised fish from Vu Dai Village is not just a delicious dish but also a symbol of Vietnamese culinary culture, showcasing the finesse and meticulousness of the local people's cooking techniques.

2. Stewed Banana

Stewed banana, also known as "xao chuoi" (sautéed banana), is a timeless dish enjoyed by locals along the Day River for generations. The main ingredient for this dish is the green banana, specifically ripe but still slightly firm. The bananas are carefully selected, soaked in salt water to remove any bitterness, and then thinly sliced. Afterward, the sliced bananas are cooked with rendered pork fat and fish sauce until the bananas become soft and well-blended.

When savoring the stewed banana dish, the tender and smooth banana slices blend harmoniously with the rich flavors of rendered pork fat and fish sauce, creating a captivating and unique culinary experience.

3. Banh Da (Vietnamese Sesame Cracker) from Phuc Ha

Mentioning "banh da" (Vietnamese sesame cracker), there are certainly many tourist destinations in Vietnam that offer this specialty. However, each region has its own distinct flavor, and the banh da from Ha Nam always has a unique and unforgettable taste. The banh da of Phuc Ha is a culinary gem of the Doi Mountain and Chau River region. It is a delicious cake dating back more than 100 years, originating from Phuc Ha Village (Hop Ly Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam Province), located along the picturesque Chau Giang River. This village has been famous for making banh da for over 100 years.

To produce a batch of delicious banh da, the makers must work tirelessly from early morning until late at night, sometimes without even having time to eat because they are busy drying the cakes in the sun. The rice variety used to make banh da is the Khang Dan rice, which is sun-dried to prevent any grittiness.

The most crucial step in making good banh da is the flour sifting process. It requires meticulousness and skill from the makers. Selecting high-quality rice and carefully sifting the flour are essential to create a smooth and fine flour base, which is critical for producing flavorful and visually appealing banh da.

The drying process for the banh da is also quite intricate. The cakes must be dried just enough and then wrapped in bamboo mats to achieve the desired level of dryness. When savoring the banh da specialties from Phuc Ha Village in Ha Nam, one not only experiences the distinctive flavor of Khang Dan rice and the meticulous attention to detail in each production step but also enjoys a delightful and exploratory experience.

The flavor of these banh da is not just a mere taste but a journey through time, reflecting the efforts of the makers. As you bite into a piece, you can feel the crispy crunch of the cracker. The aroma of the carefully sifted rice lingers in your mouth, leaving an unforgettable impression.

4. Banh Cuon (Vietnamese Steamed Rice Rolls) from Phu Ly

The city of Phu Ly, Ha Nam Province, is widely known for its unique cold banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls). Like banh cuon elsewhere, the main ingredients are rice flour, dried shallots, and wood ear mushrooms. The rice used to make banh cuon must be high-quality "tam xoan" rice.

The distinctive feature of banh cuon from Phu Ly lies in the filling, which is completely different from the traditional style. Instead of having a meat filling and being served hot, the banh cuon here either has no filling or is filled with wood ear mushrooms. Each roll is topped with a layer of fragrant dried shallots and fresh grilled sausage. When eating, you will experience the unique blend of flavors from the dried shallots and sausage, combined with the sweet and sour dipping sauce, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.

5. Mam Cay (Salted Fermented Sandworm Paste) from Binh Luc

Mam cay (salted fermented sandworm paste) from Binh Luc carries the rich flavors of the Ha Nam homeland, intertwined with childhood memories and the famous rhyme "Eating beef makes you snore loudly, eating mam cay makes you snore softly."

In the countryside of Ha Nam, sandworms thrive in brackish water areas such as Binh Luc, Kim Bang, and Thanh Liem. However, the production of mam cay is most prominent in Binh Luc.

Although the process of making mam cay is simple, creating a delicious and rich-flavored mam cay requires meticulous effort. After being caught from the fields, the sandworms are washed clean, pounded into a paste in a stone mortar, and seasoned with just the right amount of salt during the pounding process. Once the sandworms are well-pounded, they are placed in an earthenware jar along with crushed ginger or turmeric. The jar is then tightly covered with a cloth and sun-dried for one day before being buried in the ground. The longer the fermentation process, the more fragrant and flavorful the mam cay becomes.

When enjoying mam cay, you can dip fresh boiled meat or raw vegetables into it, or incorporate it into stir-fries to fully appreciate its distinctive and rich flavor.

Coming to Ha Nam, visitors will enjoy countless delicious specialties and admire the beautiful scenery of the peaceful countryside. If you come to Ha Nam and need a place to rest, convenient for visiting tourist attractions with full amenities, Tien Loc Palace Hotel is a great choice for you.

With the 5 specialty dishes of Tien Loc Palace Hotel shared above, hopefully this article will help you have more experience exploring the cuisine of Ha Nam countryside for your upcoming trip. Wishing you a happy trip and the most enjoyable experiences.