Unique culinary fusion of 3 regions in Ha Tinh

(Baohatinh.vn) - Ha Tinh "is remembered wherever I go" not only because of the love of the land and people but also because of the simple things, the rustic dishes, rich in flavor, bearing the culinary quintessence of the regions.

In the sunny and windy Central region, Ha Tinh has long been considered a "bridge" of culture and geography, a place where the North and the South meet. Here, cuisine is not just food, but has become the "soul of the countryside", a memory, a place where cultural flows meet and blend in each flavor. From a bowl of elegant Northern pho, a bowl of spicy Hue beef noodle soup, to a simple Saigon broken rice dish - each dish carries a story about the journey of starting a business, about the love of the land, the love of people converging and sprouting on this land.

Bun bo Hue - skillful combination of ingredients for complete flavor.

After nearly 30 years of living and working in Ha Tinh , Mr. Nguyen Duc Thiu has brought his father's secret of selling Hue beef noodle soup to Ha Tinh diners. He always believes: Wherever there is a noodle stall, there is home. Perhaps, because of that, amidst the many changes of the city, the small noodle shop located deep in the alley of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (Thanh Sen Ward) is always bustling, because in each bowl of noodles, there is not only a story of making a living but also the feelings of a son who is attached to, loves and considers Ha Tinh as his second homeland.

“Cooking Hue beef noodle soup for me is not just about selling food, but also about preserving the taste of the countryside in each bowl of noodles. Every day, I wake up at dawn to simmer the bones, choose fresh meat, and add spices little by little to taste. This job requires cooking with all my heart so that the diners can find it delicious,” Mr. Thiu confided.

Although still retaining the quintessence of Hue cuisine, Hue beef noodle soup has been cleverly "Ha Tinhized" to suit the taste of the people here. Many people come to Hue dishes not only to enjoy but also to find memories of the years living and studying in the ancient capital. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Uyen (Thanh Sen ward) shared: "During the four years studying in Hue, I enjoyed many Hue specialties. When I returned to Ha Tinh and ate these dishes again, I really liked them. The flavor of Hue beef noodle soup in Ha Tinh, although different and richer, is still very delicious, still retaining the key flavor of the dish."

Diners enjoy Hue noodle dish in Ha Tinh.

If Bun Bo Hue carries the warmth of the Central region, Pho Bac is a story of meticulousness, of craftsmanship and the lifestyle of the ancient Hanoians. Pho Hanoi is not fussy, but meticulous in every detail. The broth is clear, sweet from bone marrow simmered for many hours, the gentle aroma of cinnamon, star anise, grilled ginger - all blend together to create a natural, delicate sweetness. Pho eaters are often in no hurry, because they enjoy the flavors spreading within. Pho is not simply a breakfast dish, but also a cultural feature - a way for people to preserve the elegance and grace of the capital in each bowl of steaming broth in the early morning.

Ms. Chu Thi Loan (Tran Phu ward) shared: "What I like most about eating pho is the natural sweetness of the broth, clear and sweet aftertaste. In Ha Tinh now, pho has become familiar, but still retains its own subtlety."

Many Northern pho restaurants have found a place in the hearts of diners.

In the heart of Ha Tinh, Northern pho always finds its place as a warm note in the harmony of flavors. And when that pho aroma spreads across Ha Tinh, it still retains the soul of old Hanoi - just adding a little warmth of Nghe An people, so that it is familiar yet strange, simple yet profound.

If Northern pho has a refined look, Hue beef noodle soup is rich and warm, then Saigon broken rice brings with it a liberal and tolerant character - just like the gentle and affectionate people of the South. Coming to Ha Tinh as a daughter-in-law, for the past 10 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh has devoted all her heart to building a small restaurant that carries the soul of Southern cuisine. Broken rice - a simple but passionate dish thanks to the skillful combination of flavors. Still the complex aroma of grilled ribs, the sweet and sour taste of the accompanying fish sauce, but when coming to Ha Tinh, broken rice dish is also transformed and adjusted a bit by Ms. Hanh to suit the habits and preferences of the locals.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh - owner of Com Tam Sai Gon (Thanh Sen ward) shared: “When I first opened the restaurant, I was also very worried and nervous. I was afraid that my dishes would not suit the taste of Ha Tinh people. However, after a period of operation, my broken rice dish was warmly welcomed by the people here. To better suit the taste of Ha Tinh people, the fish sauce I mixed was a little less sweet, but still kept the essence of the dish, which is sweet fish sauce.”

Broken rice dish with the "soul" being charcoal grilled ribs and sweet fish sauce

Along with the development, the exchange in culinary culture in Ha Tinh is increasingly clear. There are more and more restaurants with unique and novel styles. From the South to the North, from the plains to the highlands, the flavors in each dish meet, blend and continue the story of a colorful Ha Tinh - where people bring their homeland, or the land they were once attached to, to create a simple yet unique culinary harmony.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toai - owner of Luong Son Quan restaurant, Thanh Sen ward, Ha Tinh province said: "I used to work and travel a lot in the North, especially the Northwest region. I realized that Northwest cuisine has its own unique features - rich, wild and rich in identity. I bring those dishes to Ha Tinh not only to do business, but also to help people understand more about the culture of the people. When processing, we still try to keep the original marinade and charcoal grilling method to keep the right flavor of each dish."

"Pot-Broken Chicken" - a dish with a strong Northwest flavor in the heart of Ha Tinh

Each flavor, each dish carries a story, a memory, creating a rich and diverse culinary picture of Ha Tinh today. It is the regional exchange that has created a unique appeal for Ha Tinh - where visitors can find flavors from all over the country, so that each dish is not only a taste experience, but also a journey to discover the culture, people and land of Ha Tinh.

The culinary fusion of three regions creates unique features of cuisine in Ha Tinh.

Surpassing the rustic, traditional flavors, in the flow of integration and development, Ha Tinh cuisine today has become a multi-colored stereoscopic picture, where the quintessence of all directions converges. There is the elegant flavor of Northern pho, the deep richness of Hue beef noodle soup, the liberality and affection of Saigon broken rice or the faint scent of the Northwest mountains and forests and many other flavors... But all, when setting foot on this land, are experienced through a typical "cultural filter". Blended together, we still feel the salty, genuine taste of the sea breeze, of the field sunshine, of the resilient, affectionate Ha Tinh people. Ha Tinh is not only a place that preserves the soul of the homeland, but also an open, tolerant land that welcomes the quintessence, turning that harmony into its own identity: a Ha Tinh that is hospitable, friendly and full of uniqueness in every flavor.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/doc-dao-giao-thoa-am-thuc-3-mien-o-ha-tinh-post298074.html