Cao Bang, a picturesque province in northern Vietnam, is not only famous for its stunning landscapes like Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave, but also for its unique and delicious cuisine. Here’s a list of must-try dishes and snacks you should enjoy during your visit to Cao Bang.
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Vịt quay (7 Flavor Roast Duck)
This is the first dish you should try when traveling to Cao Bang. Seven-flavor roasted duck is a dish that any diner must nod and praise as delicious. Duck meat is marinated with seven different spices according to the Tay people's recipe, so it is named Seven-flavor roasted duck. It is an elaborate dish from the selection of ingredients to the processing stage to bring diners the most authentic and delicious dish.
Ducks must be selected from ducks with firm meat and bright feathers, then cleaned, marinated with 7 different spices according to the Tay people's own ratio in Cao Bang, then roasted at a certain temperature to ensure that the roasted duck dish will have an attractive flavor, the meat is soft and delicious. When placed on a plate, the duck dish will be brushed with a layer of honey sauce on top, making the dish more eye-catching and stimulating the taste buds of the user. If you have the opportunity to come to Cao Bang, you must definitely try this dish so you won't regret it.
Bánh Coóng Phù (Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Syrup)
- What It Is: A warm dessert made from glutinous rice balls filled with sesame or mung bean paste, served in a sweet and spicy ginger syrup.
- Why You Should Try It:
- Perfect for chilly weather.
- Combines the spiciness of ginger with the sweetness of sugar, offering a comforting treat.
- Where to Find: Street food vendors in Cao Bang city.
Phở Chua (Sour Noodles)
This is one of the Cao Bang specialties that is very suitable for tourists traveling to Ban Gioc waterfall from Hanoi in the fall. Cao Bang sour pho is a mixed dish consisting of soft, chewy pho noodles, combined with pork belly, duck meat, adding a little duck fat to create a rich, fatty taste for the pho, eaten with pieces of sour, spicy and attractive chili bamboo shoots, stimulating the taste buds of diners. This is a dish that is ranked in the list of Vietnamese specialties, so you cannot miss it.
- What It Is: A unique version of pho made with cold rice noodles, shredded chicken or pork, herbs, peanuts, and a tangy sour sauce.
- Why You Should Try It:
- A refreshing twist on traditional pho.
- Balances sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
- Where to Find: Popular in local markets and small restaurants in Cao Bang city.
Bánh Áp Chao (Fried Rice Pancakes)
If you imagine, Cao Bang fried cake is similar to other normal fried cakes, the only difference is that the filling inside the cake is a mixture of meat and some vegetables, marinated with spices to taste, the outer shell is boiled and then pan-fried to create a crispy crust. This is a suitable dish for the cold weather of the mountains and is often loved by Cao Bang people every winter. When going on a tour of Cao Bang in the winter, don't forget to try this delicious specialty dish.
- What It Is: Deep-fried rice flour pancakes stuffed with minced pork, mushrooms, and other fillings.
- Why You Should Try It:
- Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- A popular snack, especially in the winter months.
- Where to Find: Street food stalls and night markets.
Lạp Xưởng Gác Bếp (Smoked Sausage)
Cao Bang sausage is my favorite sausage among all the types I have ever eaten. Cao Bang people make sausages very carefully, they marinate the meat with spices such as honey, a little white wine, ginger and a little dried and ground dried loquat fruit then dry it over the smoke. Cao Bang smoked sausages are very chewy, firm and especially delicious. When you come to Cao Bang, try this super delicious dish and see if I am wrong.
- What It Is: Traditional smoked sausage made from pork and flavored with spices like cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon.
- Why You Should Try It:
- A signature dish of the ethnic Tay and Nung people.
- Perfect as a snack or paired with steamed rice.
- Where to Find: Local markets or specialty shops.
Xôi Trám (Sticky Rice with Canarium Fruit)
Made from the main ingredients of sticky rice and Chinese jujube, this is an indispensable dish in the daily life of Cao Bang people. The cook will choose ripe Chinese jujubes, the fruit is not damaged by worms, wash them, soak them in water then boil them, remove the seeds, take the flesh and steam them with sticky rice. Cao Bang Chinese jujube sticky rice has a strange purple-pink color, fragrant and fatty taste, very different from other sticky rice dishes. Try eating Chinese jujube sticky rice once when traveling to Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, you will definitely fall in love with this sticky rice dish.
- What It Is: Sticky rice mixed with black or purple canarium fruit for a sweet and nutty flavor.
- Why You Should Try It:
- Unique to Cao Bang and rarely found elsewhere in Vietnam.
- A satisfying dish often served during festivals.
- Where to Find: Restaurants or households during traditional events.
Khâu Nhục (Braised Pork Belly)
- What It Is: Pork belly slow-cooked with fermented soybeans, star anise, and garlic until tender.
- Why You Should Try It:
- Rich, flavorful, and melts in your mouth.
- Often served during special occasions in Cao Bang.
- Where to Find: Traditional restaurants and during local festivals.
Bánh Trứng Kiến (Ant Egg Cake)
This is a dish that is not known to many people, but for those who have tried this dish and have been conquered by its delicious taste, this is truly a worthy specialty dish that can only be found in Cao Bang. Named after the main ingredient of the cake, which is the young eggs of ants. The young eggs of ants are as big as rice grains and are milky white in color. They are collected from the forest by the Tay people, then washed and fried with dried onions. The cake crust is made from sticky rice flour, kneaded, rolled thinly and then placed on fig leaves, the filling is put in and covered with another layer of fig leaves and finally the cake is steamed until cooked. The ant egg cake has the fatty taste of ant eggs combined with the soft, chewy taste of the outer crust, which is what makes this cake so attractive to diners. The cake is delicious both hot and cold, so tourists to Cao Bang can still buy it as a gift for family and friends.
- What It Is: A special cake made with ant eggs, sticky rice flour, and banana leaves.
- Why You Should Try It:
- A rare and adventurous dish that reflects the culture of ethnic minorities.
- Offers a nutty and slightly tangy taste.
- Where to Find: Villages or local specialty shops (seasonal availability).
Cá Trầm Hương Nướng (Grilled Hương Fish)
- What It Is: Fresh fish from local rivers, marinated with herbs and grilled to perfection.
- Why You Should Try It:
- Highlights the freshness of Cao Bang's rivers and streams.
- Simple yet incredibly flavorful.
- Where to Find: Restaurants near rivers or lakes.
Rau Dớn (Fiddlehead Ferns)
This is a vegetable that grows in the Cao Bang mountains and has a very special flavor. It is often prepared and eaten by Cao Bang people in their daily meals.
- What It Is: A local wild vegetable often stir-fried with garlic or steamed.
- Why You Should Try It:
- A healthy and unique vegetable with a slightly crunchy texture.
- Commonly served with rice and other main dishes.
- Where to Find: Local restaurants or homestays.
Rượu Ngô (Corn Wine)
- What It Is: A traditional corn-based alcoholic drink made by the ethnic Hmong people.
- Why You Should Try It:
- A strong yet smooth beverage that pairs well with local dishes.
- A cultural experience to share with the locals.
- Where to Find: Homestays or local markets.
Where to Find Cao Bang’s Cuisine
- Cao Bang City Night Market: Perfect for street food like bánh áp chao, phở chua, and glutinous rice balls.
- Homestays in Ethnic Villages: Experience authentic local meals cooked by Tay, Nung, and Hmong families.
- Local Restaurants: Look for family-owned establishments for traditional dishes like khâu nhục and lạp xưởng gác bếp.
Tips for Enjoying Food in Cao Bang
- Be adventurous: Try unique local dishes like ant egg cake or smoked sausage.
- Pair with nature: Enjoy meals in scenic settings near rivers, mountains, or waterfalls.
- Ask locals for recommendations: The best food often comes from hidden gems known only to the locals.
Cao Bang’s cuisine is a delightful blend of tradition, culture, and natural flavors. From refreshing sour noodles to indulgent braised pork belly, every dish tells a story of the land and its people. Don’t miss the chance to explore this culinary treasure trove while immersing yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Cao Bang!
