Specialties in Ninh Binh that must be tried once when traveling and bought as gifts always make visitors flutter with their rustic yet profound flavors, fully reflecting the cultural beauty of the ancient capital. If you have the opportunity to visit this place, don't miss the journey to discover the flavors that you will remember forever. Follow TravelViet to learn about these Ninh Binh specialties!
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Specialties in Ninh Binh must be tried once when traveling and bought as gifts
Not only does it attract tourists with charming landscapes, Ninh Binh also conquers people's hearts with specialties with rustic, rich flavors, very suitable for enjoying on the spot and buying as gifts for relatives.
Burnt rice
Among the many delicious dishes of the ancient capital, the specialty in Ninh Binh that is mentioned the most is definitely scorched rice. This seemingly simple dish requires meticulousness from choosing the rice, cooking the rice to drying it in the sun and frying it crispy. The two types of rice are skillfully mixed together to help the fried rice puff up evenly, crispy but not hard.
Burnt rice
The unforgettable highlight is the rich, fragrant goat sauce poured over the golden brown rice, creating an attractive blend of crispy - fatty - sweet and salty flavors. Not only delicious when enjoyed on the spot, scorched rice is also a gift favored by tourists because it is easy to preserve, reasonably priced and bears the mark of Ninh Binh cuisine.
Mountain goat meat
Referring to the dishes that make famous specialties in Ninh Binh, mountain goat meat always holds a special place in the hearts of diners. Goats are naturally grazed on limestone mountains, eating grass and forest leaves, so their meat is firm, low in fat and has a very unique aroma. From steamed goat that retains its sweetness, fresh and refreshing lemon-raised goat to grilled goat or rich stir-fried goat, each dish shows the sophistication of the local people's preparation.
Mountain goat meat
In particular, the combination of goat meat and scorched rice has created a famous "couple", making it unforgettable for anyone who has ever enjoyed it. It is that rustic yet rich flavor that has made mountain goat meat a culinary symbol that cannot be missed when returning to Ninh Binh.
Eel vermicelli
Not fussy or ostentatious, eel vermicelli still quietly makes its mark on the list of specialties in Ninh Binh thanks to its sweet flavor and delicate harmony. The vermicelli fibers are clear, soft and moderately chewy, combined with carefully simmered broth from eel bones and shin bones, bringing a natural sweetness, light fat without being greasy.
Eel vermicelli
The eel has a small body but firm meat, is stir-fried or deep-fried, then dropped into a bowl of hot vermicelli with sliced banana flowers and herbs, creating an overall close and attractive flavor. A bowl of hot eel vermicelli in the cold weather of Ninh Binh is enough to make diners remember it forever.
Mountain snail
Among the specialties in Ninh Binh, mountain snails are considered a rare "seasonal" delicacy that not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy. This species of snail only appears from April to August, lives in limestone crevices and eats roots and leaves of forest trees, so its meat is naturally sweet, crunchy and has a faint herbal scent.
Mountain snail
Just a simple preparation like steaming ginger or lemongrass is enough to fully feel the unique flavor of mountain snails. In addition, snails are also transformed into many dishes such as snail salad, snails stir-fried with tamarind, bringing a culinary experience that is both strange and rich in mountain and forest flavors.
Fish salad
Coming to Kim Son beach, it would be a mistake if you haven't tried fish salad - a specialty in Ninh Binh famous for its sophistication and sophistication in preparation. The fish has a shape similar to an eel but has a larger body and firm and sweet meat. To make salad, fish must be carefully prepared to remove the fishy smell, leaving only the freshest meat.
The soul of the dish lies in the bowl of coc mixed with lemongrass, chili, and pepper, creating a warm spicy taste that spreads across the tongue. When rolling the fish with fig leaves, herbs, rice and dipping sauce, the flavor blends both strange and rolled, enough to make diners remember it forever from the first time they enjoy it.
Nem chua Yen Mac
If you are looking for a dish that is both easy to enjoy and convenient to buy as a gift, Yen Mac fermented pork roll is a specialty in Ninh Binh that many people choose. Nem is made from thinly sliced fresh pork butt, mixed with boiled skin, seasoning to taste and then wrapped cleverly in guava and banana leaves.
Nem chua Yen Mac
Through natural fermentation, spring rolls have a mildly sour taste, are chewy, crispy and have a characteristic aroma. Although it originated from Hue royal cuisine, through the hands of Yen Mac people, spring rolls have a very unique flavor, rich but not harsh, the more you eat, the more delicious they become.
Gia Vien shrimp paste
When it comes to dishes bearing the mark of the homeland, specialties in Ninh Binh cannot lack Gia Vien shrimp paste. Small, fresh shrimps are mixed with salt and incubated using the traditional method, especially suitable in the cold weather of winter.
After fermentation, the fish sauce has an eye-catching red color, a characteristic strong aroma and a harmonious sweet and salty taste. Just a cup of shrimp paste served with boiled meat, boiled vegetables or a bowl of hot rice is enough to make the meal more flavorful, evoking the unique cozy feeling of the ancient capital.
Floating cake
Among many rich salty dishes, banh troi brings a different nuance to the list of specialties in Ninh Binh - gentle and delicate. Still familiar rice flour, but the floating cake here impresses with the gentle scent of moldy chrysanthemum leaves and grapefruit flowers.
Floating cake
The cake's filling is sweet molasses, sprinkled with a bit of nutty peanuts, making it easy to eat and not at all greasy. Enjoying Ninh Binh floating cake is to clearly feel the simplicity and purity in the cuisine of the people here.
Banana fish
Not only famous for its natural scenery, Van Long lagoon also possesses a specialty in Ninh Binh that few people know about - banana fish. This fish lives in flooded caves, has a round body, large size, firm and naturally sweet meat.
Grilled banana fish is the most popular dish, because it retains the original flavor of the fish. After cleaning, the fish is lightly marinated, grilled and served hot, rolled with rice paper, raw vegetables, and dipped in spicy fish sauce. That simplicity but richness makes banana fish an unforgettable culinary experience for many tourists.
Kim Son noodle soup
Among the familiar breakfast dishes, Kim Son vermicelli noodles are considered a specialty in Ninh Binh that many people remember forever thanks to their clear broth and natural sweetness. The noodle soup is carefully simmered from the bones, without any fat, and seasoned with fish sauce and Kim Son shrimp sauce.
Kim Son noodle soup
The noodles are handmade, white, soft but still retain their chewiness. The balls grow round and fragrant with ground meat, shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms, creating a simple yet attractive bowl of vermicelli, very suitable to start a new day in Ninh Binh.
Ant egg sticky rice
In the list of strange and rare dishes, ant egg sticky rice is considered a specialty in Ninh Binh with a strong breath of Nho Quan mountains and forests. Brown ant eggs only appear seasonally, usually around the second lunar month, and are taken from limestone cavities deep in the forest. After being harvested, eggs will be stir-fried with fried onions, lard, seasoned to taste and then sprinkled evenly over a layer of hot sticky rice, wrapped in green banana leaves.
Ant egg sticky rice
When enjoying, diners can easily feel the characteristic fatty taste of ant eggs, mixed with the fragrant sticky rice flavor and a very interesting "pop" feeling. Not only is it a dish, ant egg sticky rice is also associated with the cultural life of the Muong people, making the culinary experience even more complete.
Beef pho
Not only Hanoi, beef pho in the ancient capital is also a specialty in Ninh Binh that many food lovers seek to experience. Beef pho here stands out because of its carefully simmered broth according to a family recipe, clear but rich in flavor, fragrant with the aroma of beef bones and traditional spices.
The pho noodles are moderately soft and chewy, not crumbly, combined with fresh, sweet and soft beef, creating a harmonious whole, easy to eat without being greasy. A hot bowl of beef pho in the morning not only warms the stomach but also leaves an unforgettable impression on those who love the taste of traditional pho.
Noodles with chopsticks
If you want to find a different dish, chopsticks vermicelli is definitely a specialty in Ninh Binh that makes many tourists curious. True to its name, the vermicelli noodles are big, round like chopsticks, and are handmade so they stay white, soft, and not mushy.
Noodles with chopsticks
When eating, chopsticks vermicelli is often combined with light broth, served with meat or vegetables, creating a feeling of fullness for a long time but not heavy on the stomach. The taste of vermicelli is pure and rustic, reflecting the simplicity of local cuisine. The more you eat, the more pleasant you feel.
Gai cake
Among the traditional cakes that many tourists choose as gifts, banh gai is always in the group of specialties in Ninh Binh with a very unique charm. The cake impresses with its shiny black, soft and flexible crust, made from crushed hemp leaves mixed with fragrant sticky rice.
The filling inside is a harmonious combination of green beans, coconut, lotus seeds, peanuts and a little fatty meat, creating a rich but not greasy taste. When you take a bite, the elegant aroma spreads gently on the tip of your tongue, leaving a feeling of both rusticity and sophistication, true to the countryside gift of the ancient capital.
Braised sweet soup
If cuisine can tell stories, then sweet soup is a specialty in Ninh Binh that clearly evokes the Tet and festival atmosphere of the ancient North. Sweet soup is made from green beans that have been peeled, simmered, and then thoroughly cooked until smooth, supple, and silky.
Braised sweet soup
The sweet taste is mild, not harsh, melts slowly on the tongue, making the eater feel the care and patience in each step. Sweet soup often appears on important occasions, served with a cup of hot tea to balance the taste, creating a gentle, warm and very familiar culinary experience.
Phu Ly rice rolls
Phu Ly Banh Cuon is a specialty in Ninh Binh that scores points thanks to its simplicity but standards in every detail. The cake is made from eight oval rice - a famous sticky and fragrant rice, soaked thoroughly and then ground into a fine powder. The rice paper is thin, soft, no filling, rolled neatly and served hot.
Phu Ly rice rolls
When eaten, banh cuon is often accompanied by pork rolls, spring rolls, crispy fried onions and a bowl of fish sauce mixed to taste. Not fussy about the ingredients, but it is the purity of the rice flour and the skillful way of coating the cake that creates a very unique flavor, easy to eat and unforgettable.
Kien Khe rice cake
Referring to hometown gifts bearing the mark of the craft village, Kien Khe rice paper is always considered a specialty in Ninh Binh with a unique flavor. The cake is made according to the traditional recipe, coated thickly, dried thoroughly and then baked for a characteristic crispiness. The top of the cake is sprinkled with sesame, peanuts, coconut... creating a rich taste and attractive aroma.
When cooked, the cake puffs evenly, is crispy but not hard, very suitable for eating out or buying as a gift. It is that simplicity and authenticity that has helped Kien Khe rice paper become more and more known and loved by many tourists.
Voc Long Tuu wine
In the list of traditional drinks, Voc Long Tuu wine is considered a specialty in Ninh Binh bearing the mark of a long-standing craft village. The wine is made from delicious rice, brewed with traditional yeast and 36 herbs according to the own secrets of Voc village people. The wine making process requires patience and precision, from fermenting, cooking the wine to aging in clay jars and distilling at the right time.
Voc Long Tuu wine
The finished product produces a wine with a characteristic herbal aroma, smooth to drink, not harsh, leaving a light sweetness in the throat. In the cold weather, sipping a few cups of Voc Long Tuu on a hot tray of rice is an unforgettable experience for many diners.
Banana King Dai Hoang
Not only is it a familiar fruit, Dai Hoang banana is also classified as a specialty in Ninh Binh with high cultural and nutritional value. Bananas only grow well on the land along the Pearl River, where fertile alluvium creates a very unique flavor.
Bananas are moderate in size, have thin golden skin, flexible flesh, are sweet and lightly fragrant. Each bunch of bananas is usually neat and beautiful, very suitable for display or buying as a gift. Not only delicious, bananas are also rich in potassium, vitamins and minerals, making them both a simple country gift and a sign of the giver's appreciation.
Candy sausage
Referring to traditional snacks, sausage candy is a specialty in Ninh Binh that clearly recalls the childhood flavors of many generations. The candy is made from malt, sugar and roasted peanuts, with a thin, chewy shell on the outside and a fatty, fragrant peanut filling on the inside.
Candy sausage
To create standard sausage candy bars, the craftsman must be extremely skillful, watch the fire correctly and work quickly so that the candy does not harden or break. The sweetness is moderate, not harsh, and the more you chew, the more flavorful it becomes, making sausage candy a favorite gift for both children and adults.
Hong Nhan Hau
Among seasonal fruits, Nhan Hau persimmon is a specialty in Ninh Binh that makes many tourists fascinated from the first time they enjoy it. Persimmons have large fruits with thin, smooth skin, no seeds, and when ripe, they turn a beautiful dark red color.
The inside is clear, soft like jelly, the taste is sweet but not harsh, melts lightly in the mouth. Persimmons can be eaten after soaking in water for a few days or ripened naturally, each way brings a different taste experience. With its pure flavor and attractive appearance, Nhan Hau persimmon is not only delicious but also a delicate country gift for relatives.
Dong Giao Pineapple
Referring to famous fruits, specialties in Ninh Binh cannot lack Dong Giao pineapple - a fruit that was once ranked among the most delicious fruits in Vietnam. Pineapple fields stretch out green, the fruits grow evenly, have small eyes and are naturally fragrant. Dong Giao pineapple has two popular varieties: Cayen and Queen: Cayen fruit is large, bright yellow, juicy, and has a sweet taste; Queen is smaller, straw yellow, sweet and fragrant.
Dong Giao Pineapple
Pineapple here is not harsh to eat, very pleasant, suitable for buying fresh or giving as a gift. The peak harvest season is around March and July, which is also a beautiful time to visit and take photos among the vast pineapple garden.
Nho Quan can wine
Among traditional drinks, Nho Quan can wine is a specialty in Ninh Binh imbued with mountainous spirit. The wine is not distilled by fire but is brewed naturally from rice, potatoes, sticky rice and yeast made from forest leaves such as ginger, galangal, guava leaves, and ebony bark.
Nho Quan can wine
After many months of incubation in ceramic jars, the wine reaches a mild spicy aroma, is smooth to drink and not harsh. Local people enjoy wine using bamboo tubes, adding a little boiled water to cool the wine to "open up its flavor". It is this community way of drinking that makes wine not only a drink, but also a typical cultural feature of the Nho Quan region.
Dipper fruit
Few people know that behind the famous braised fish dishes there is the presence of gao fruit - a specialty in Ninh Binh with a very unique flavor. The fruit often grows in streams and hillsides. When cooked, it has a mildly sour and fatty taste, helping the dish become rich without needing much seasoning.
Dipper fruit
The dipper is often used to braise fish, braise meat or cook soup, creating a rustic flavor that goes well with rice. Thanks to its high applicability and good health benefits, dried gao fruit is also widely sold for tourists to buy as gifts, bringing home the flavors of Ninh Binh's mountains and forests.
Banh Khao
In the group of traditional cakes, Banh Kha is a specialty in Ninh Binh that usually appears every traditional Tet. The cake is made from finely roasted rice flour, mixed with sugar and filled with green beans or white sesame, then pressed into a square wooden mold.
Banh Khao
When enjoying, the cake melts right at the tip of the tongue, leaving a light sweetness and a very delicate aroma. Not fussy about form, Banh Kha carries a rustic spirit, reminiscent of the gathering atmosphere of the first days of the year in the Northern countryside.
La Xuyen Tea
If you are looking for a gentle gift, a specialty in Ninh Binh for long-term enjoyment, La Xuyen tea is a choice worth considering. The tea is grown and harvested by hand, using traditional methods, so it retains its gentle aroma and natural cool taste.
The tea has a beautiful yellow-green color, makes you feel relaxed and comfortable when drinking, very suitable for sipping every day or as a gift for the elderly. In the slow pace of life in the countryside, a cup of La Xuyen tea seems to encapsulate peace and sophistication.
Every dish and gift here is packed with the flavors of the countryside, mountains and forests and the ancient culture of the ancient capital. The journey will be even more memorable when you fully enjoy the specialties in Ninh Binh that must be tried once when traveling and bought as gifts, bringing back not only delicious dishes but also the unforgettable aftertaste of a land rich in identity. Don't forget to visit the Ninh Binh travel guide to gain experience in exploring the ancient capital completely, conveniently and with more memorable experiences.
Ninh Binh 190 view
Update day : 29/01/2026
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