Chicken grilled with tea leaves - a unique dish from the midland region of Nghe An province.

Amidst the lush green tea plantations of Thanh Chuong, there's a truly unique and novel dish that captivates many diners: Chicken grilled in tea leaves. It's this distinctive blend of familiar and novel flavors that embodies the culinary essence and soul of Nghe An province.

Báo Nghệ An•08/08/2025

When visiting Nghe An province – a land of picturesque landscapes – tourists will never forget the famous tourist destination: Cau Cau Tea Island, also known as Thanh Chuong Tea Island. These unique tea islands, nestled amidst the sea of water and sky, are lush, green, and romantic, attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists.

With its characteristic endless green tea hills, the people here have taken advantage of this to create grilled chicken wrapped in tea leaves - a dish that is familiar yet incredibly unique and distinctive.

On weekdays, Tea Island receives an average of around 200 visitors. On weekends, the number rises to 600-800, and on holidays, it can reach thousands. — A corner of the tea plantation island. Photo courtesy of Huy Thu.

Unlike typical grilled chicken dishes, the tea-leaf grilled chicken here has a very unique flavor. The main ingredient is free-range chicken – a type of chicken raised naturally, with firm, flavorful meat. But what makes it different is the accompanying marinade: lemongrass, chili, salt, mắc khén (a type of spice), and especially the finely ground green tea leaves harvested from the vast tea hills of this region.

gen-h-BNA_ Grilled chicken with tea leaves — Grilled chicken wrapped in tea leaves is a delicious and appealing dish. Photo: Thanh Binh

Tea leaves not only help disinfect and remove the fishy smell from the chicken, but also help retain the moisture and natural sweetness of the chicken meat when grilled. At the same time, they release an aroma that permeates the meat, enhancing the flavor of the dish. After marinating for about 30 minutes, grill slowly over hot coals, turning regularly to ensure the chicken is tender, juicy, and beautifully golden brown.

What makes this dish special is not only its preparation but also the dining experience. A delicious meal enjoyed amidst the lush, peaceful green hills creates an unforgettable experience.

Nowadays, chicken grilled with tea leaves is not only a local dish but also a specialty that attracts tourists whenever they visit. Many restaurants and homestays in the tea-growing region have included this dish on their main menus, combining it with eco-tourism experiences such as tea picking, boating, and visiting tea plantations to spread the unique culinary culture of Nghe An province.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/ga-nuong-la-che-mon-an-doc-dao-cua-trung-du-xu-nghe-10304070.html