As a border province, Ha Giang not only boasts beautiful landscapes but also offers a plethora of delicious dishes. These dishes may not be as sophisticated or appealing as dishes in other regions, but they will definitely leave a great impression and have you wanting more. If you’re visiting Ha Giang and still don’t know what to eat or where to eat, then you’re in the right place. Here are our Top 10 must-try dishes in Ha Giang and where to eat them!

Banh Cuon Ha Giang—Ha Giang-Style Steamed Rice Rolls

When in Ha Giang, you can come across many banh cuon stalls on the side of the road. The rice rolls are similar to the ones you find in Hanoi, with a minced meat filling and topped with fried shallots, but what sets Banh Cuon in Ha Giang apart from those in other regions is the use of bone broth instead of nuoc mam. As to why they use broth instead of the regular nuoc mam, the locals say that it can be really cold in the morning in the mountainous region, so some Banh Cuon with bone broth could warm you up. The bone used for the broth is Black Pig’s bone. There are two types of Banh Cuon fillings to choose from: the regular minced meat and mushrooms or eggs. Each dish of Banh Cuon is accompanied by a steaming bowl of broth with cilantro and gio. You can dip the rice rolls, soak them in the broth, or add other ingredients to your liking, such as pepper, chili, vinegar, or pickled bamboo shoots.

Where to eat Banh Cuon in Ha Giang:

Quan banh cuon trung Ba Ha:

Address: 31 Pho Co, Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 07:00 – 12:00 AM

Price range: 20,000đ – 80,000 VND

Quan Ba Hoa

Address: Minh Khai street, Ha Giang city, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 05:30 – 10:00 AM

Price range: 20,000đ – 80,000 VND

Quan banh cuon trung Ba Bich:

Address: 29 Pho Co, Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 06:00 – 12:00 AM

Price range: 30,000đ – 40,000 VND

Trang Kim Chicken Pho

This dish originates from a small village named Trang Kim, nestled along the Mien River in Quyet Tien commune, Quan Ba district. Trang Kim Pho is known for its refined and skillful preparation that sets it apart from other Pho dishes in the country. The Trang Kim Pho noodles are handmade. Similar to how Banh Cuon is made, thin layers of dough are evenly spread on a stretched fabric over a pot of water, covered to allow the steam to cook the noodles. The dough is then hung on a bamboo pole to air dry before being cut manually.

Trang Kim Pho noodles are a bit different compared to other Pho varieties found in other regions. The dough is entirely ground from mountain-grown rice, without any additives, so the Pho is softer and has a clear rice fragrance. It is also a bit darker in color, typically light pink or off-white.

The broth is also a key factor that makes a good bowl of Trang Kim Pho. The broth is simmered from pig bones and chicken bones, infused with ginger, turmeric, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom. The meat used isn’t broiler chicken but free-range, so the meat is chewy and crunchy.

Where to eat Trang Kim Chicken Pho in Ha Giang:

Quang Huy Pho Trang Kim

Address: Dong Ha, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang

Price range: 25,000 - 30,000 VND 

Au Tau Porridge

The Au Tau porridge has long been regarded as a specialty dish in Ha Giang. Initially a remedy for colds among the H'Mong people, it later became a beloved local delicacy. Locals refer to it as Au Tau porridge because it is prepared with mountainous rice, pork shank, and the unique ingredient—Au Tau.

The H'Mong people of Ha Giang have a secret to transform the potentially toxic Au Tau into a nutritious delicacy through meticulous preparation. After peeling and soaking the Au Tau overnight in rice water, it is simmered until tender and sticky. It is then cooked with plain rice and glutinous rice, along with pre-cooked pork shank, different spices, and simmered until well-cooked. The porridge is served with beaten chicken eggs, spring onions and basil. The mixture is stirred well and enjoyed while hot. Typically, only a few Au Tau are used in a large pot of porridge.

The distinctive bitter taste of the Au Tau is similar to that of the Pseudoginseng. But bitterness blends with the sweetness of the bone broth and the lingering aroma of the eggs, creating a unique and enticing flavor.

Au Tau porridge is available year-round, but it is typically sold in the evening until midnight, because the porridge is believed to have the best effects when consumed before bedtime. 

Where to Eat Au Tau Porridge in Ha Giang:

​Chao Au Tau Ha Loan

Address: 79 Tran Hung Dao, Yen Minh town, Yen Minh district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 06:00 PM – 02:00 AM

Quan Chao Moc Mien

Address: QL4C, Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 06:30 PM – 00:00 AM

Thang Co

This is a traditional dish of the H'Mong, famous in Sapa and Ha Giang. Thang Co translates to meat soup and includes various types of meats such as horse, buffalo, beef, and pork. Initially made with horse meat as the main ingredient, but because horse meat is rarer and more expensive, most shops now use beef, buffalo, or pork as a substitute.

What makes the dish special is the ingredients: offal, meat, and bones, simmered with 12 types of spices like tsao-ko, cinnamon, and cardamom. What could be more interesting than sitting around the steaming Thang Co pot with a glass of corn wine? You may be hesitant or even scared at first but then you’ll be captivated by this exotic and culturally rich H'Mong dish.

Nowadays, as Thang Co has gained popularity among tourists, many shops and restaurants have modified the dish to better suit different preferences. You can try Thang Co at restaurants or opt for an authentic experience at local markets. Regardless of the choice, the exquisite and unique flavor of Thang Co will surely be an unforgettable experience for visitors to Ha Giang.

Where to eat Thang Co in Ha Giang:

Quan thang co Moc Mien

Address: Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Price range: 100,000đ – 300,000 VND

Grilled Moss

When you visit Ha Giang, you will undoubtedly be intrigued by a dish made from an unexpected ingredient. That is none other than grilled moss, a renowned specialty of the Tay ethnic group. The moss used for preparation must be stone moss, with a deep green color and fine fibers. After being harvested along streams and watercourses, the fresh moss is thoroughly beaten and kneaded until all the sap and impurities are removed. For a delicious dish, the moss must be torn into thin strips and finely chopped.

The uniqueness of grilled moss lies in the combination of spices. The moss is marinated with lemongrass, long coriander, Asian chives, hat doi, salt, and more. These ingredients contribute to a distinctive and characteristic flavor. After thorough mixing, the moss mixture is wrapped in Dong leaves and grilled over a charcoal stove.

The moss parcels should be placed close to the charcoal so that the dish cooks faster before the water is expelled from the leaves. The glowing red flames flicker, waiting for one side to be cooked before turning to the other, and in a short time, the dish is ready. When fully cooked, the moss becomes tender, smooth, and darker in color. 

Where to eat grilled moss in Ha Giang:

Pho Cao market

Address: Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 05:00 AM – 12:00 PM every Sunday

Price range: 10.000đ – 30.000 VND

Quyet Tien Market

Address: Quan Ba district, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 04:00 AM – 12:00 PM every Sunday

Price range: 10,000đ – 40,000 VND

Com Lam—Sticky rice in Bamboo Tubes

Com Lam is a rustic specialty of the people in the Northern mountainous region of Vietnam. The name and appearance may seem unfamiliar. However, it's simply rice cooked in bamboo tubes or reed tubes.

Bamboo and reed tubes, after being collected from the mountains, are cut into small sections. The tubes are filled with rice almost to the brim, sealed with banana or Dong leaves, and soaked in water for about 30 minutes before being grilled on charcoal.

After it’s fully cooked, Com Lam is eaten directly from the bamboo tubes. The rice is fragrant and sweeter than typical white rice. When eating, you can sense the subtle fragrance from banana leaves and Dong leaves. Com Lam is delicious enough on its own, but you can also eat it with muoi vung (salt and sesame) or muoi gieng (salt and galangal). That is the typical way of eating it; Com Lam also goes well with a side of grilled meat.

Where to eat Com Lam in Ha Giang:

Bac Me Market, Ha Giang

Price range: 25,000đ – 50,000 VND

Sour Pho

In Ha Giang, there is a unique Pho dish with a special sauce made from really sour vinegar blended with sugar and arrowroot flour. Sour Pho has been introduced to northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang, Lang Son, and Cao Bang since the Chinese Man Thanh era over 300 years ago. In Chinese, Sour Pho is called "Luong pan," meaning "Cool Pho." And because it is refreshing, this dish is preferred in the summer.

The ingredients for Sour Pho include Char-siu pork, roasted duck, fried peanuts or homemade sausages. Additionally, there are accompanying vegetables such as basil, fresh garlic, shredded papaya, or cucumber. The main ingredient is fresh and soft Pho noodles instead of dried ones.

In Ha Giang, you can enjoy Sour Pho at the markets or in many eateries in Dong Van and Meo Vac.

Where to eat Sour Pho in Ha Giang:

Pho Chua Gia Truyen Hien Luong:

Address: 12 Bach Dang, Ha Giang City, Ha Giang

Opening hours: 07:00 AM – 09:30 PM

Price range: 25,000 - 35,000 VND

Dong Van Market Ha Giang

Address: Dong Van Town, Ha Giang

Opening hours: Every Sunday morning

Price range: 25,000 - 50,000 VND

Buckwheat Cake

Towards the end of the year, around October-November, buckwheat flowers blossom everywhere in Ha Giang, becoming an unforgettable symbol for visitors to the high rocky plateau. If you don’t know already, buckwheat seeds are also used to make beer and a unique specialty, buckwheat cake.

After each buckwheat season, local people begin to harvest the seeds to dry before finely hand-grinding them. The grinding process must be thorough to ensure a smooth powder so that the cakes, when baked, are not lumpy. The powder is then mixed with water to form a flexible dough, which is then poured into traditional molds to create a round cake.

Buckwheat cakes come in two varieties: soft and chewy or crispy, each cake is typically meant for 2-3 people.

Where to eat buckwheat cakes in Ha Giang:

Address: Local markets in October and November

Price range: 10,000 - 15,000 VND

Thang Den

This dish may initially resemble Hanoi’s “banh troi tau” or Lang Son’s “banh cong phu", but its flavor is distinctly different. The cake balls are made from glutinous rice flour and can be eaten as is or filled with mung bean paste. Making Thang Den is not difficult but requires skill and finesse. First, the choice of glutinous rice is crucial. It must be Yen Minh glutinous rice with plump, chewy, and fragrant grains. After soaking, the rice is drained and ground into flour.

Each Thang Den cake is molded into small balls the size of "banh troi" and can be filled with mung beans, sesame seeds, or coconut. The cakes are boiled and then served with a sweet soup made with hoa mai sugar (a type of sugar that is golden, resembling the color of mai flowers) and ginger. The cakes are chewy and delicious, but more importantly, it is the soup that sets the dish apart from “banh troi” or “banh cong phu.” A bowl of Thang Den is further enhanced with a bit of coconut juice, roasted peanuts, and golden sesame seeds for added appeal.

Where to eat Thang Den in Ha Giang:

Dong Van Night Market

Address: Dong Van Old Quarter, Dong Van district, Ha Giang

Price range: 10,000 VND

Thang Den Ba Beo:

Address: 154 Tran Hung Dao, Ha Giang city, Ha Giang

Price range: 25,000 VND - 50,000 VND

Banh Chung Gu—Hunchbacked Sticky Rice Cake

Banh Chung, or sticky rice cake, is an indispensable dish during the traditional Tet holiday for every Vietnamese family. Traveling across Vietnam, you will find different types of "bánh chưng," such as square Banh Chung in the North, cylindrical Banh Chung or Bánh Tét from Nghe An to Ca Mau, black Banh Chung in Bac Ha and hunchbacked Banh Chung in Ha Giang. The uniqueness of Banh Chung Gu in Ha Giang, compared to other regions, is first and foremost in its name, which is inspired by the image of hardworking women with large baskets on their backs.

Banh Chung Gu is soft, delicious, rich, and not overwhelming. Small in size, it is easy to hold and carry for a quick bite when hungry. The ingredients for making Banh Chung Gu include glutinous rice, mung beans, pork, Dong leaves, and rattan strings. The uniqueness of Banh Chung Gu in Ha Giang also lies in the preparation of glutinous rice. The rice is soaked in galangal leaf water to make the rice naturally green. When cooked, the cake exudes the distinctive aroma of Banh Chung Gu in Ha Giang.

Nowadays, you don’t have to wait until the lunar new year to be able to try Banh Chung Gu because there are shops that sell them year-round:

Ha Giang Foods

Address: 443 Ly Thuong Kiet, Ha Giang city, Ha Giang

Opening hours: Every Sunday morning

Price range: 20,000 VND

Conclusion

Well, there you go! What do you think of these dishes? Did they sound appealing? If they did, how about taking a trip to the province and seeing for yourself? Here are more articles that we think might be helpful:

=> The Best Ethnic Markets In Ha Giang

=> Ha Giang Loop Tour 2, 3 or 4 days