The culinary delights of Hoa Binh Lake region

baophutho.vn The fascinating cuisine of Hoa Binh Lake region

A unique experience

Culinary culture has become a unique experience, making the journey of exploring ecotourism and community tourism in the Hoa Binh Lake tourist area more complete and memorable. At famous resorts such as Mai Chau Hideaway (Tan Mai commune), Maida Lodge (Tien Phong commune), Mo Village and Xoan Retreat (Da Bac commune)..., cuisine is not simply about serving food and drink, but is the core element that creates a high-class experience and distinguishes the brand.

Among the dishes offered to guests at the resorts, the most prominent are fish and shrimp from the Da River, as well as traditional dishes associated with the daily life of the local people.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tu, a staff member at Maida Lodge restaurant: One of the reasons guests return to the resort repeatedly is the culinary experience. It's not because of exotic dishes, but because familiar dishes are prepared meticulously and perfectly. Fish are selected from the fish farms each morning, still fresh when brought to the grill, cooked over charcoal until the skin is slightly charred, the aroma spreading and mingling with the lake breeze; the chicken grilled with mac mat leaves has a crispy golden skin, tender meat inside, and retains its sweetness. The grilled meat is also fragrant, pairing perfectly with sticky rice or bamboo-cooked rice; seasonal vegetables, picked locally, are quickly stir-fried, retaining their crispness and unique sweetness...

The allure of distinctive culinary flavors

Visiting tourist destinations in the communes of Tan Mai, Thung Nai, Muong Hoa, Cao Son, Tien Phong, Da Bac..., tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the distinctive cuisine of the Thai, Muong, and Dao ethnic groups in a local cultural setting.

Ms. Dinh Thi Yeu, a household providing accommodation services at the Da Bia Community Tourism site in Tien Phong commune, said: "To welcome visitors to the village, the locals often steam sticky rice, prepare traditional dishes wrapped in leaves, and serve rice wine. To get fragrant, chewy sticky rice, families soak the rice thoroughly and steam it in a traditional container to preserve its sweet and nutty flavor. While eating, guests can squeeze the rice to make it stick together, making the sticky rice even more delicious."

With the traditional "leaf feast," the main ingredient is pork, specifically free-range pork, which is firm, fragrant, and low in fat, thus not greasy. Presented on fresh banana leaves, the feast includes many dishes such as thinly sliced ​​boiled pork, grilled pork, offal, etc. Alongside these are steamed sticky rice and banana blossom soup. The leaf feast is also the most representative culinary tradition that the Muong people here always want to introduce to visitors who have the opportunity to experience tourism in the lake region.

A feast served on leaves to honored guests by the Muong people in the Hoa Binh lake region.

For tourists, fish and shrimp from the Da River, or the traditional feast served on leaves, are characteristic dishes of the lake region and the ethnic minority communities. In a cozy meal under the stilt houses, families in Ngo village, Muong Hoa commune, often treat guests to delicious grilled and steamed fish, as well as a refreshing and nutritious sour fish soup.

Mr. Hoang Van Khanh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "After a trip to see beautiful scenery and learn about local customs and traditions, our group was welcomed with a thoughtful and warm dinner. With guaranteed clean and fresh ingredients and the skillful hands of the host, we could only marvel at the irresistible appeal of the Da River fish specialties."

Besides fish and shrimp from the Da River, and dishes served on banana leaves, the cuisine of the lake region also includes chicken stewed with sour bamboo shoots and dổi seeds, made with free-range chicken, wild bamboo shoots, and fragrant dổi seeds. Ms. Bui Thuy Chieu, a community tourism operator in Mo village, Thung Nai commune, said: "Chicken stewed with sour bamboo shoots and dổi seeds is a dish unique to the Muong people of Hoa Binh and has become a favorite specialty for tourists. The preparation is quite simple. The chicken is cleaned, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and then mixed thoroughly with sour bamboo shoots until the meat is well combined. Then, enough water is added and it's simmered for about half an hour until cooked. Before serving, a few dổi seeds are roasted, crushed, and sprinkled in, stirring well. When eaten, the cooked sour bamboo shoots are soft, very flavorful, and not greasy."

Another dish commonly found in meals in the lake region is pork wrapped in pomelo leaves. Pork belly is sliced ​​into thin strips, marinated in fish sauce and onions. Young pomelo leaves are folded in half, each piece of pork wrapped in one half of a leaf, then placed in bamboo skewers and grilled over charcoal. When eaten, the fragrant, crispy pomelo leaves, mixed with the golden-brown, firm pork, counteract the greasiness and leave a slightly bitter, tingling sensation on the tongue.

A cultural bridge between the community and tourists.

Every year, destinations in the Hoa Binh Lake tourist area attract tens of thousands of visitors. Beyond simply experiencing and discovering local cuisine, tourists also seek to learn about the preparation methods, characteristic ingredients, and cultural stories behind each dish.

Cuisine is also a cultural language that connects tourists with their destination, shaping its identity and creating unforgettable memories and emotions during their experience in the lake region. Through each dish, tourists gain a deeper understanding of the lifestyle, customs, simple affection, hospitality, and refined flavors of the local cuisine.

Especially when you have the opportunity to stay longer in the villages of the Hoa Binh Lake tourist area, besides enjoying delicious and authentic local dishes, visitors should also try the intoxicating rice wine – a famous and popular drink made from purple sticky rice, regular sticky rice, cassava, and corn. This is also one of the unique culinary cultural features that makes people feel warmer and more connected, helping visitors to fully experience the community life of ethnic minorities.

Content: Bui Minh - Presentation: Dinh Tu

Source: https://baophutho.vn/hap-dan-am-thuc-vung-ho-hoa-binh-252564.htm