Special dishes of Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam is not only known for its majestic natural scenery but also for its famous specialties. Central cuisine is characterized by its rich, spicy flavors, along with sophisticated and meticulous preparation. Below are some specialties that you must try when you have the opportunity to visit Central Vietnam.
1. Bun Bo Hue (Hue)
Bun bo Hue is one of the typical dishes of the ancient capital of Hue. With a rich broth made from stewed beef bones, mixed with the flavors of lemongrass, shrimp paste and chili satay, Bun bo Hue brings a spicy, delicious flavor that is hard to resist. This dish is often served with beef, pork leg, crab cake, and raw vegetables such as water spinach and banana flower.
Hue beef noodle soup is not only a popular dish but also carries the quintessence of Hue royal cuisine, demonstrating meticulousness and sophistication in the preparation.
2. Cao Lau (Hoi An)
Cao Lau is a typical dish of Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam. This dish has a unique combination of chewy noodles, grilled pork, crispy pork skin and raw vegetables. The special thing about Cao Lau is the rich broth made from famous Ba Le well water, creating a unique flavor that cannot be imitated anywhere else.
When enjoying Cao Lau, diners will feel the harmony of the ingredients together, from the chewy taste of the noodles, the crunchiness of the pork skin, to the characteristic flavor of the broth and herbs.
3. Quang noodles (Quang Nam)
Quang noodles are one of the most popular dishes in Quang Nam. Made from thick rice noodles, Quang noodles broth is not too much but very rich with the sweetness of bones, the fat of pork, chicken or shrimp. Quang noodles are often eaten with roasted peanuts, grilled rice paper and raw vegetables.
Quang noodles offer the perfect combination of flavor and presentation, creating a colorful and flavorful dish that is both simple and rich.
4. Banh Beo (Hue)
Banh beo Hue is one of the traditional dishes imbued with the culinary flavor of the ancient capital. The cake is made from rice flour, steamed and usually served in small bowls. Banh beo is served with fried shrimp, scallion oil, roasted peanuts and sweet and sour fish sauce.
This dish is not only a familiar snack but also an indispensable part of parties and festivals in Hue, bringing a feeling of frugality and deliciousness to diners.
5. Nam Pho Rice Noodle Soup (Hue)
Nam Pho noodle soup is a traditional dish of Nam Pho village, Hue. The noodle soup is made from rice flour and tapioca flour, with a smooth broth, red in color from shrimp paste and minced pork. Nam Pho noodle soup is served with crab cakes, green onions, and pepper.
With its rich, sweet flavor from shrimp and crab, Nam Pho noodle soup has become one of Hue's famous specialties, attracting tourists when visiting this ancient capital.
6. Rice Paper Rolls with Pork (Da Nang)
Pork rolls are a famous specialty of Da Nang. This dish consists of boiled pork, thinly sliced, rolled in rice paper with raw vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, green banana, and vermicelli. In particular, the dish is dipped in fish sauce – a rich dipping sauce with a typical flavor of the Central region.
Rice paper rolls with pork are not only simple but also very light and fresh, giving diners a light, easy-to-eat and nutritious feeling.
7. Banh Khoai (Hue)
Banh khoai is a famous snack in Hue, similar to banh xeo but smaller in size and made from rice flour, pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and green onions. The cake is fried and served with raw vegetables, rice paper, and especially dipped in nuoc leo – a unique dipping sauce made from pork liver, sesame and peanuts.
Banh khoai with crispy crust, sweet shrimp filling and rich broth flavor is a dish not to be missed when coming to Hue.
8. Hen Rice (Hue)
Com hen is a famous traditional dish of Hue, with the main ingredients being white rice and stir-fried mussels. Com hen is served with raw vegetables, roasted peanuts, crispy fried pork skin, and shrimp paste. This dish has a rich, spicy flavor, clearly showing the culinary style of Hue royal court.
Mussel rice is not only popular in the daily meals of Hue people but also a dish loved by tourists because of its unique and simple flavor.
Vietnamese specialties
Central Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its rich, sophisticated dishes that bear the cultural imprint of the region. Each dish is a harmonious combination of flavors, ingredients and typical cooking methods, creating a rich and attractive culinary identity.
When coming to the Central region, don't forget to enjoy specialties such as Hue beef noodle soup, Quang noodles, Cao Lau, or Hen rice to fully experience the flavor and beauty of the culinary culture of this land.
