Eating Like a Local in Cao Bằng: 5 Dishes You Need to Try

I really enjoy it. One thing I’ve learned about Vietnamese culture is that they truly respect their eating experience. What I mean by that is, while some other countries enjoy eating empty calories, I’ve seen the Vietnamese eat conscientiously to make it worth it. It is truly a joy to sit with a Vietnamese family and share a meal, or just sit at a random table in one of those street restaurants and see how your neighbor wants to look at your reaction when you try the food, or help you understand the correct way to eat it. This is a guide of 5 dishes I recommend you try here. Although you can find some of them in other parts of Vietnam, the experience of authenticity, since there are almost no tourists here is unmatched.

1. Phở Chua Cao Bằng – Sour Pho: Ideal if you come during summer, because this pho, unlike the rest, is served cold or at room temperature. It comes with Char Siu pork (my favorite), Roasted Duck (or both), Chicken, and Pork Liver. As with traditional pho, it is accompanied by rice noodles, herbs, and veggies like papaya, cucumber, and carrot. Finally, it is topped with peanuts and fried onions.

Map : https://maps.app.goo.gl/J8TCoKx72Y7CBodk6 ( Phở Quyên )

Đến Cao Bằng thưởng thức món phở chua độc lạ ngon “nức tiếng”

2. Bánh Cuốn Cao Bằng – Steamed Rice Rolls: The go-to traditional Cao Bằng breakfast. These rice rolls are made rice flour, forming a sort of steamed crepe filled with pork and mushrooms. You get the rolls served by themselves along with a bowl of hot pork broth on the side so you can dip them while eating. They are soft and chewy. You have to wake up early and come with some time, since they take a while to cook.

See related image detail. Roaming Hanoi for 1,001 specialties different parts of Vietnam

3. Xôi Trám – Sticky Rice with Black Olive Fruit: This dish is unique to Cao Bằng; the star ingredient is the black olive, which gives the rice a nutty flavor. The variety of rice is often one produced solely in the Northern Mountains, and it is seasoned with salt, pepper, and fish sauce. It is often topped with fried shallots and sometimes with minced pork.

Cách nấu xôi trám đen đặc sản Cao Bằng thơm ngon, lạ miệng

4. Vịt Quay Cao Bằng – Cao Bằng Roast Duck: Roast duck is one of the more widely known dishes in the region. It is usually prepared by marinating the duck in a mixture of fish sauce, salt, ginger, garlic, onion, honey, tofu, pepper, and mac mat, giving it the name of the Seven-Flavored Roast Duck. During the cooking process, the skin is glazed with honey, which gives it its characteristic golden color and crispy texture. You can try it by itself or as the accompanying meat in many of the local dishes.

Map:

Image result for vịt quay lạng sơn

5. Bánh Áp Chao – Crispy Duck Pancakes: This is by far one of my favorite dishes. It is indulgent and decadent, perfect for a cold afternoon with a cup of coffee (don’t tell the locals I’m making this combination). The pancake is made a combination of rice flours and filled with duck meat. It is then fried, cut smaller pieces, and served with raw veggies and spicy fish sauce.

Map : https://maps.app.goo.gl/5wBV4pNThcFAcGhn8

For me, the food in Cao Bằng is so much more than a plate on the table. It’s sitting down and feeling like you’re part of something, whether it’s a family meal or just a stranger at the next table making sure you eat things the “right” way. Every dish here has its own character and story, and tasting them where they belong makes all the difference. So if you come all this way, don’t just visit the waterfalls—make time to eat slowly, share the table, and let the food show you what Cao Bằng is really about.