Ninh Thuan's cuisine is a harmonious blend of the flavors of the sea, the rustic charm of the sandy plains, and the distinctive Cham culture. Each dish is not simply meant to satisfy hunger, but also tells a story of a land bathed in sunshine and wind year-round, where people have skillfully transformed local produce into renowned specialties.
Distinctive flavors from the sea.
With its long coastline, Ninh Thuan boasts abundant seafood resources, creating dishes that are rich in the salty flavors of the ocean.
Mai fish salad
Mai fish salad is one of the quintessential dishes of coastal cuisine. Fresh mai fish is cleaned, its fishy smell removed with lemon and ginger, then mixed thoroughly with roasted rice flour, onions, herbs, and roasted peanuts. The key to its flavor is the meticulously prepared dipping sauce made from tamarind fish sauce, garlic, and chili, creating a balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet tastes.
Jellyfish noodle soup
In the hot weather of Ninh Thuan, a refreshing bowl of jellyfish noodle soup is the ideal choice. Fresh jellyfish, after being carefully prepared, is served with fish cake and a broth simmered from sea fish bones, giving it a naturally sweet flavor. The crunchy jellyfish pieces combined with soft noodles create an unforgettable culinary experience.
Fresh seafood from Ca Na
The Ca Na sea area is a rich source of seafood for the entire province. Lobsters, squid, crabs, grouper, and conch are caught by fishermen daily, preserving their natural sweetness. Dishes are prepared simply, such as grilled, steamed with lemongrass, or boiled and served with green chili salt, allowing diners to fully appreciate the original freshness.
Unique delicacies from the sandy plains and mountains.
Besides the sea, Ninh Thuan's semi-mountainous region and sand dunes also offer unique products, creating dishes that cannot be found anywhere else.
Sandstorm
The monitor lizard is a reptile that lives on sand dunes. Its meat is white, sweet, and firm, similar to chicken. Local people prepare monitor lizards in many delicious ways, such as grilled with salt and chili, stir-fried with lemongrass and chili, cooked in porridge, or made into a salad. This is a signature dish that arouses curiosity and delight in many tourists.
Goat meat and lamb
Thanks to the natural grazing conditions on the hillsides, the lamb and goat meat in Ninh Thuan are of exceptional quality. Lamb meat is firm, lean, and often prepared as grilled, steamed with lemongrass, in hot pot, or curry. Meanwhile, mountain goat meat is fragrant, tender, and sweet, making it a popular dish in local restaurants.
Traditional street food
Exploring Ninh Thuan's cuisine wouldn't be complete without trying its simple yet captivating street food.
Banh can and banh trang mam ruoc (rice flour cakes and rice paper with shrimp paste)
Banh can is baked in a clay mold over hot charcoal, resulting in a crispy crust and a filling of shrimp, squid, or egg. This dish is usually dipped in fermented fish sauce or peanut sauce. Similarly, banh trang mam ruoc is also baked over charcoal, spread with fermented fish sauce, quail eggs, fried onions, and pork cracklings, creating an attractive snack.
Fish cake noodle soup
This is a familiar breakfast dish for locals. The rice noodles are soft and chewy, served with hand-ground and golden-fried mackerel or tuna fish cakes. The broth, simmered from fish bones, has a naturally sweet and savory flavor, providing a light yet flavorful meal.
Phan Rang Chicken Rice
Phan Rang chicken rice is unique because the rice grains are cooked in chicken broth, giving them a golden color and rich, savory flavor. Free-range chicken is boiled until just cooked, retaining its firm texture and crispy skin. The dish is served with pickled vegetables and a characteristic garlic and chili fish sauce.
Gifts from the sunny and windy region
A trip to Ninh Thuan will be even more meaningful with unique local specialties to bring back as gifts for family and friends.
Grapes and grape products
Ninh Thuan is known as the "grape capital" of Vietnam. Tourists can buy fresh grapes directly from the vineyards or choose processed products such as grape wine, syrup, jam, and grape syrup. Each product retains the characteristic sweet and refreshing flavor of this region.
Phan Rang single clove garlic
Grown on sandy coastal soil, single-clove garlic has a strong aroma, a mildly spicy taste, and is believed to be rich in nutrients. This type of garlic is not only a unique spice but also a meaningful gift for health.
Gum arabic
Gum tragacanth is a natural product harvested from the trunk of the tragacanth tree. When soaked in water, the gum swells and is used to prepare refreshing and detoxifying drinks, very suitable for the hot climate of Central Vietnam.
Experience exploring Ninh Thuan's cuisine.
For the best culinary experience, visitors should visit local markets like Phan Rang Market to enjoy street food and buy specialties. For grapes, visiting and buying directly from famous vineyards like Ba Moi or Thai An will ensure freshness. Dried seafood, Ca Na fish sauce, and grape-based products are popular and suitable souvenirs.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/ninh-thuan-kham-pha-ban-do-am-thuc-mien-dat-nang-gio-3310735.html
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