The culinary essence of Thanh Hoa province.

Phu Quang sticky rice cake

Phu Quang sticky rice cake (Vinh Loc district) has long been a memorable treat for visitors to Tay Do (Can Tho). Made from sticky rice flour, roasted peanuts, ginger, molasses, malt syrup, and pure water from this ancient land, the cake is both crispy and chewy, fragrant with the aroma of fresh sticky rice, slightly spicy with ginger, and sweet with the aftertaste of molasses. Putting a piece in your mouth, the warm sweetness spreads, awakening memories for many.

Saigon Sphere

A rare delicacy, the "phi" – a type of mollusk found in the Cau Sai area (Hau Loc) – was once chosen as an offering to the emperor. The "phi" resembles freshwater mussels but has a thinner shell, white flesh, and a subtly sweet taste. "Phi" can be prepared in many ways, such as "phi" porridge; fried "phi" served with a dipping sauce of fish sauce, ginger, pepper, garlic, and chili; stir-fried "phi" with loofah; or "phi" soup with water spinach or tomatoes... These are delicious and easy-to-eat dishes, often present in family meals. Some dishes can even be served as appetizers at banquets.

Soup

Uoi soup is a traditional dish of the Thai ethnic group in western Thanh Hoa province. Although called soup, it resembles porridge. Made from rice flour, combined with stream fish, meat, dried taro leaves, and mắc khén (a type of spice), Uoi soup has a rich, slightly spicy flavor and a distinctive aroma of the mountains and forests. Not only is it a daily meal, but Uoi soup is also an indispensable dish on the ceremonial trays during festivals, as a way to express gratitude and strengthen the bond between descendants and their ancestors.

Tho Xuan grilled spring rolls

Using tender, sweet pork shoulder, pork skin, and roasted rice flour, the people of Tho Xuan create a unique grilled pork sausage dish. The sausage is wrapped in guava leaves, then lined with betel leaves, and finally wrapped in banana leaves to retain heat and allow for natural fermentation. When grilled, the aroma of the meat blends with the fragrance of the leaves, creating an irresistible flavor that captivates diners.

Co Lung Duck

Thanks to living in the clean ecological environment and year-round cool climate of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, the Co Lung duck breed – a specialty of Co Lung commune (Ba Thuoc district) – has a compact body, thick, tender, sweet meat that is not tough or gamey. No matter how it is prepared, Co Lung duck dishes always offer a rich and unforgettable flavor.