Cuisine of Thai Binh People

Cuisine of Thai Binh People that impressed mr.hotsia

When talking about Thai Binh province, Vietnam, many people may not be very familiar with the name because this is not a main tourist city and still preserves the simple lifestyle of the locals very well. I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to travel here in January 2016, and what impressed me the most was the local cuisine, full of authentic flavors and unique tastes.

I traveled from Hanoi by bus to the Thai Binh bus station, then walked to the accommodation in the city center. The first feeling I got was the peacefulness of the town. There was no hustle and bustle of traffic or foreign tourists like in big cities. Most locals still live simply and are kind to strangers who visit. Although some people don’t like being photographed, it was not an obstacle to enjoying the delicious food here.

Roast Duck Stuffed with Chinese Star Anise Leaves – a top dish mr.hotsia must return to eat

The dish that impressed me the most in Thai Binh province was “Roast Duck stuffed with Chinese star anise leaves,” a dish I have encountered in northern Vietnam and China, but here it has its own charm. The roast duck has crispy skin, tender meat, fragrant spices, and the Chinese star anise leaves stuffed inside give it a mellow and uniquely layered flavor. I found a roast duck stall in a market near my accommodation and bought it to eat at a nearby rice porridge restaurant, which offers both à la carte dishes and self-service food at the front. The flavors blended perfectly.

Roast duck here is not only sold in markets or large restaurants but also in small shops scattered along various alleys, which is a great way to truly experience the local food culture. I hope you get to try it.

Basic everyday food of Thai Binh people

Besides roast duck, basic dishes like grilled chicken, Bún (vermicelli noodle soup), and Phở are commonly found in this town. The grilled chicken is marinated with spices until flavorful, then grilled until the skin is slightly charred, eaten with sticky rice or hot steamed rice, deliciously comparable to other places. Bún and Phở have the rich, mellow flavors typical of northern Vietnam, freshened with fresh herbs served on the side. Sometimes I walked to a nearby rice porridge restaurant where they serve rice porridge with various side dishes to choose from.

Morning market atmosphere in Thai Binh city that gave mr.hotsia insight into local life

To understand the lifestyle of Thai Binh people, I recommend taking a stroll atThai Binh Morning MarketThis market is not very crowded and is located in a shaded area, making the atmosphere cool and comfortable, perfect for browsing goods and friendly vendors. I saw many fresh seafood stalls and a fresh tofu maker just preparing new batches. The aroma of tofu and seafood blended harmoniously.

Although I only spent a short time at this market because I personally prefer open-air markets, I was able to get an overall picture of the daily life here: simple buying and selling, and the care for fresh ingredients that made the food I ate delicious and memorable.

Dai Viet Beer of Thai Binh province with delicious food mr.hotsia didn’t miss tasting

If you visitThai Binh provinceand don’t try the local beer, you’re missing out. This is home to Dai Viet Beer, a famous brewery in Vietnam. I visited the brewery which also operates as a restaurant and tasted two glasses of fresh draft beer straight from the keg. The refreshing taste with malt and hop aromas paired incredibly well with the local food.

The restaurant in the brewery offers not only great beer but also interesting local dishes, such as spicy stir-fried wild boar, which I had never tried before. It’s flavorful and well-balanced, a dish I recommend trying when visiting this town.Read more about Dai Viet Beer and must-try dishes in Thai Binh province

Summary of mr.hotsia’s impressions of Thai Binh city

Thai Binh is a small town full of the charm of northern Vietnamese countryside. It is a quiet province that still preserves traditional culture well. The food here is fresh and truly local, from roast duck stuffed with Chinese star anise leaves, grilled chicken, Bún, Phở, to morning market food and dishes at the Dai Viet brewery restaurant that are worth tasting.

For travelers who enjoy deep exploration and experiencing authentic local culture, I recommend trying the food here and strolling through the morning market to absorb the genuine Thai Binh atmosphere. I guarantee the experience will be unlike anywhere else.