10 famous Ninh Binh specialties that make up the culinary essence of the ancient capital.

Nestled amidst the legendary ancient capital, Ninh Binh is not only famous for its magnificent natural landscapes but also boasts a unique and rich local cuisine. Each dish here is like a piece of a puzzle, adding to the vibrant cultural tapestry and captivating visitors from near and far. Let's explore a list of Ninh Binh's outstanding specialties to make your trip even more fulfilling!

Việt Nam•16/07/2025

Ninh Binh cuisine is not only a combination of local ingredients but also embodies the cultural essence and skillful craftsmanship of the local people. Whether you enjoy these dishes on the spot or take them home as gifts, each flavor evokes the rustic beauty and warm hospitality of this land.

1. Ninh Binh crispy rice

Crispy rice (Image source: Collected)

If you're looking for the most famous Ninh Binh specialty, then Ninh Binh crispy rice is definitely the first name that comes to mind. This is a traditional dish from the ancient capital region, simple yet incredibly appealing, leaving a lasting impression on diners from the first bite.

The unique feature of Ninh Binh crispy rice lies in the exquisite combination of two types of rice, dry and sticky, meticulously processed from drying to deep-frying, creating crispy, golden-brown, and fragrant pieces of rice. This dish is often served with shredded pork, fried onions, or, more uniquely, with goat meat, heart and kidneys, and a rich sauce. The harmonious blend of crispness, richness, and aroma is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This is also a meaningful gift you should buy for family and friends after your trip to Ninh Binh. Crispy rice can be found in most markets, rest stops, or on Ninh Binh tours, with prices ranging from 35,000 to 45,000 VND per serving.

2. Ninh Binh mountain goat meat

Goat meat (Image source: Collected)

Another must-try delicacy is Ninh Binh mountain goat meat, famous for its firm texture and distinctive flavor thanks to the goats being raised naturally in the rocky mountains. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as grilled goat, steamed goat, goat sashimi with lemon, goat spring rolls, stir-fried goat, etc. But the most outstanding dish is still crispy rice with goat sauce, a combination of two local specialties that offers an unforgettable experience.

Most restaurants here serve Ninh Binh goat meat at a price of around 200,000 – 400,000 VND/kg. Here are some popular places you can check out:

Ba Cua Restaurant (Trang An, Truong Yen, Hoa Lu).
Cuong De Restaurant (Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh).

3. Ninh Binh mountain snails

Boiling or steaming snails is the most common way to prepare them because it preserves the unique flavor of rock snails (Image source: Collected).

Another unique Ninh Binh specialty is mountain snail, a type of snail that lives in the limestone caves of Tam Diep. With its chewy, naturally sweet taste and subtle herbal aroma, mountain snails are often prepared in dishes such as steamed with ginger, stir-fried with tamarind, or in a salad. However, mountain snails are only available from April to August each year, so you need to choose the right time to enjoy this rare delicacy.
4. Ninh Binh Eel Vermicelli

The bowl of Ninh Binh eel vermicelli is attractively presented (Image source: Collected)

When visiting Ninh Binh, don't forget to try the eel vermicelli with its distinctive flavor. The broth is simmered from eel bones and beef bones, creating a sweet and savory taste, while the eel is prepared to be firm and succulent. The dish is served with shredded banana blossoms, creating a perfect combination.

You can visit Dung Thanh eel noodle restaurant (999 Tran Hung Dao Street, Van Giang Ward, Ninh Binh), which is famous for this dish, to enjoy it.

5. Eel salad

Ninh Binh eel salad: A must-try specialty when visiting the ancient capital region (Image source: Collected)

In Kim Son district, a must-try specialty dish during your Ninh Binh trip is eel salad. This dish is meticulously prepared to remove the fishy smell while preserving the sweet and delicate flavor of the eel – a fish with firm, nutritious flesh.

The highlight of eel salad lies in its special dipping sauce, called "cheo," made from familiar ingredients such as lemongrass, chili, and pepper. The salad is usually served with fresh vegetables and rice crackers, creating a captivating blend of flavors. This dish enchants visitors exploring the refined cuisine of the ancient capital region.

The price of snakehead fish ranges from 500,000 to 600,000 VND/kg, depending on the season. Be sure to take the time to visit restaurants in Kim Son to sample this unique dish.

6. Yen Mac fermented pork sausage

Yen Mac fermented pork sausage (Image source: Collected)

If you're looking for a Ninh Binh specialty to buy as a gift, Yen Mac fermented pork sausage is a perfect suggestion. Developed from the Hue royal fermented pork sausage, Yen Mac sausage boasts a light and unique flavor thanks to being wrapped in guava and banana leaves.

The main ingredients include thinly sliced pork loin, pork skin, MSG, and salt, all harmoniously combined to create spring rolls with just the right amount of chewiness and crispiness. When enjoying them, you can eat them with fig leaves, star anise leaves, or Gynura procumbens leaves to enhance the flavor.

Here are some addresses for reference:

Rong Market, 71 Van Giang Street, Ninh Binh.
Anh Quan Production Facility, Yen Mac, Yen Mo.

7. Gia Viễn Shrimp Paste

When mentioning gifts that truly represent the ancient capital, Gia Viễn shrimp paste is an indispensable name. This is a traditional type of shrimp paste that is meticulously prepared, from selecting fresh, delicious shrimp to carefully fermenting it under suitable conditions.

Shrimp paste, with its deep red color and rich aroma, is often used as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables, eaten with hot rice, or as a seasoning for many other dishes. Each jar of Gia Viễn shrimp paste costs between 150,000 and 250,000 VND, making it a worthwhile souvenir to buy after your trip.

8. Nho Quan Rice Wine

Besides its famous cuisine, Ninh Binh also boasts an impressive specialty: Nho Quan rice wine – a traditional wine of the Muong people in the Nho Quan region. The wine is made from glutinous rice, sweet potatoes, and natural forest yeasts such as guava leaves, ginger, and galangal.

Rice wine has a rich but not overly strong flavor, making it perfect to enjoy with traditional dishes in Ninh Binh. The price of rice wine ranges from 200,000 to 600,000 VND depending on the volume.

9. Ninh Binh glutinous rice dumplings

Rice dumplings (Image source: Collected)

If you have a sweet tooth, Ninh Binh glutinous rice balls are a must-try. Made from traditional rice flour, these balls are filled with molasses, peanuts, and chrysanthemum leaves, creating a distinctive sweet and refreshing flavor.

These round, white, soft, and sweet glutinous rice balls are a delightful snack, especially when enjoyed with green tea. You can find them at eateries in the center of Ninh Binh.

10. The gourd

The gourd fruit (Image source: Collected)

Another unique delicacy from Ninh Binh province is the gao fruit, a type of fruit that only grows in the streams and hills of the area. Gao fruit is often used to braise fish or make soup, helping to mask the fishy smell and create a light, refreshing sour taste.

This fruit is not only valuable in cuisine but also very good for health, and is often bought by tourists as a souvenir at a price of about 80,000 VND/kg. You can easily find gao fruit at traditional markets during your Ninh Binh tour.

With these unique and delicious dishes, your trip to Ninh Binh will surely become an unforgettable experience, allowing you to explore the beautiful scenery while enjoying the culinary delights of this ancient capital region.

Each dish, from crispy burnt rice and flavorful goat meat to rich shrimp paste, leaves an unforgettable impression on visitors. Let Ninh Binh's specialties become a special highlight of your exploration journey, so that when you return, you will carry not only memories but also the taste of this land!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/dac-san-ninh-binh-v16278.aspx