Top 6 famous Pu Luong specialties: Rich in the rustic flavors of the Northwest mountains

1. Valley Duck

Enjoy grilled Lung duck in Pu Luong (Photo source: Collected)

The Co Lung duck is a rare native duck breed raised by the Thai people in Hieu village, Pu Luong in a natural way. Different from other ducks, this duck breed has a small body, short neck, and is characterized by a tuft of white feathers on the neck and head. Thanks to being raised on streams and terraced rice fields, the duck meat is firm, low in fat and has a very typical highland aroma.
In Pu Luong's culinary treasure trove, roasted duck with Moc Mat leaves is the most popular way of preparing it. The duck is cleaned, marinated with traditional spices, stuffed with Moc Mat leaves and roasted over hot coals. When cooked, the duck's skin is shiny brown, the meat inside is soft and fragrant, the bones are small and not dry at all. In particular, the dish will be more flavorful when dipped in Cham Cheo salt mixed with Mac Khen, Doi seeds and crushed duck liver - a rich flavor with a strong imprint of highland specialties. This is one of the local delicacies that visitors should not miss when exploring Thanh Hoa specialties in the poetic land of Pu Luong.

2. Stream goby

In the journey to discover the cuisine of Thanh Hoa highlands, stream goby is known as a Pu Luong specialty dish with the strong identity of the local Thai people. The goby here is small but firm, delicious and caught from natural streams. After being cleaned, the fish is marinated with forest spices and local herbs, then grilled on a charcoal stove or fried with betel leaves. This dish stands out with its crispy crust, soft edible bones, suitable to enjoy with white rice or sticky rice, bringing a rustic yet unforgettable taste experience to visitors.
  3. Bitter bamboo shoots from Pu Luong forest

Wild bitter bamboo shoots (Image source: Collected)

On the journey to explore the cuisine of the Northwest mountains, bitter bamboo shoots are a Pu Luong specialty that visitors should not miss. This type of bamboo shoots is picked directly from the forest by local people during the rainy season - the time when the bamboo shoots have a crunchy texture, a sweet aftertaste and a very characteristic slight bitterness. Bitter bamboo shoots can be processed into a variety of attractive dishes such as stir-fried bamboo shoots with garlic, boiled bamboo shoots with salt and pepper or stewed with meat to enhance the flavor. The initial bitterness will gradually give way to a delicate sweet taste, creating a very unique culinary mark of the Pu Luong highlands. This is not only a rustic dish but also a unique cultural feature associated with the lives of the Thai people here.
  4. Wild banana flower salad

Wild banana flower salad (Photo source: Collected)

Wild banana flower salad is attractive because of its rustic, simple but addictive flavor. This dish is made from fresh wild banana flower buds, thinly sliced ​​and soaked in a basin of salt water to prevent them from turning black. Then, take them out, wash them, drain them and mix them with some thinly sliced ​​pig ears, herbs and especially the dressing that is full of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors. In Pu Luong, there are places that also serve banana flower salad with dried buffalo meat, which is also very delicious. Sprinkle some roasted peanuts on top and you have a delicious snack.
  5. Bitter leaf soup

Bitter leaf soup (Photo source: Collected)

Bitter leaf soup is one of the traditional dishes of the Thai people, prominently appearing in the list of Pu Luong specialties that visitors should not miss. The bitter leaves used to cook the soup often have serrated edges, commonly grown in the high mountains of Thanh Hoa , especially the Pu Luong area. After being washed, the leaves are lightly crushed or chopped, then stir-fried with ingredients such as chicken intestines, pig intestines, blood, and some places even use buffalo intestines to enhance the rich flavor.
Depending on taste, the cook can add lemongrass, fermented rice, chili or shrimp paste to make the dish more attractive. When enjoying, the bitter taste gradually spreads on the tip of the tongue and then suddenly leaves a sweet aftertaste, bringing a strange but attractive feeling. Bitter leaf soup not only helps to sober up, purify the body but also aids digestion, very suitable to eat in traditional meals of the highland people. With the rustic but profound flavor of the mountains and forests, this dish is a typical representative of the Thanh Hoa highland specialties.
  6. Rock snail

Rock snail (Image source: Collected)

Rock snails are one of the unique delicacies of Pu Luong highland cuisine, often caught by locals in rock crevices, especially during the rainy season. Snails are steamed with lemongrass, lemon leaves or dipped in rich garlic and chili fish sauce. When enjoying, diners will feel the sweet, naturally crunchy taste, with the typical flavor of the mountains and forests. This is a Pu Luong specialty dish that not only attracts tourists but is also an indispensable experience in the journey to explore the nature and indigenous culture here.
Pu Luong is not only attractive for its pristine beauty of mountains and forests but also leaves a deep impression through the typical culinary flavors of the highland people. Each Pu Luong specialty dish encapsulates the essence of identity, from rustic ingredients to unique processing methods. If you have the opportunity to set foot in this land, do not just stop at sightseeing but take the time to explore the cuisine - where each dish is a vivid piece of Pu Luong culture and people.

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/mon-an-dac-san-pu-luong-v17086.aspx