Cuisine of Tuyên Quang Province

The cuisine of Tuyên Quang Province with mr.hotsia

When talking aboutTuyên Quang Provincein northeastern Vietnam, many people might not be very familiar with the name. But for me, mr.hotsia, who has had the chance to visit this city often, I must say the local food here has a very unique charm. It’s not the typical Vietnamese food you see in Hanoi or big cities, but a cuisine that blends natural ingredients with the true lifestyle of the locals.

From the moment I stepped out of Van Tue Hotel where I stayed in Tuyên Quang city, I found many street food stalls selling “boiled snails,” a popular dish here. The snails used are fresh and not too big, with a broth that is mild and sweet from the shells. Plus, it’s very affordable, only about 60 baht per plate. I walked around the morning marketTuyên Quang Morning Marketand saw many stalls selling boiled snails. The taste was so good I ordered several times.

Besides boiled snails, a dish that impressed me was “pho,” the Vietnamese noodle soup available almost every meal here, especially the type called “Pho Bun,” which is flat noodles with a mild flavor, served with local meat and fresh vegetables. Another standout but hard-to-find dish is baby quail eggs boiled in a fragrant sweet broth. I also heard that boiled corn is very famous in this city, but I didn’t find a stall selling it during my visit.

If you like traditional Vietnamese food, don’t miss trying “Banh Cuon,” steamed rice rolls filled with vegetables and meat. Although not very common in Tuyên Quang, it’s another local dish you can find at street food stalls. There are also sit-down restaurants selling full meals for 70-100 baht per plate, which is reasonable for the quality and atmosphere in this city.

Lifestyle and Eating Atmosphere in Tuyên Quang

When I, mr.hotsia, traveled here during summer with occasional rain, it made walking the market and eating street food much fresher. At the morning market, there was a stall selling pigeon rice porridge, a novel dish for me and many tourists. I tried it for the first time there; its aroma and taste were unlike ordinary rice porridge. There were also jars of local white liquor sold, a traditional drink many people buy to take home.

Interestingly, I didn’t see many university students in this city, possibly because many choose to study in Hanoi. The lifestyle here is quieter and more peaceful than expected. It was a great experience because it made me feel like I truly experienced local life, not just a typical tourist city.

Meals That Impressed Me in Tuyên Quang

My breakfasts were mostly at street food stalls near the morning market, offering both Banh Cuon and fresh coffee. I must say the coffee here is strong and fragrant, comparable to anywhere else. Lunch was at street food stalls with a variety of dishes to choose from, including Vietnamese-style fried chicken, which is different from the FCC version we have at home.

But the real highlight was dinner. I recommend trying a draft beer place serving Vietnamese draft beer, known as “Bia Hoi,” which is very cheap at about 10 baht per glass. It has a slightly sweet taste and is not bitter like regular beer. Paired with boiled beef tendon or fatty beef freshly prepared at the restaurant, along with fresh nem, a popular northern Vietnamese side dish. Sitting and sipping cold beer while listening to soft music in this atmosphere is a very satisfying and warm travel experience.

Tips for Travelers Who Want to Experience Tuyên Quang

For those planning to visit Tuyên Quang, I recommend staying atVan Tue Hotelwhich is affordable, clean, and offers room service for food on rainy days, so you don’t have to go out when the weather is bad. There are also coffee shops and smoothie stalls nearby to recharge during the day.

Don’t forget to stroll aroundTuyên Quang Morning Marketlocated by the river. The market’s atmosphere is full of life with locals cycling to sell flower drinks and fresh goods. This is one of the most memorable scenes for me, mr.hotsia, during my trip.

Summary

The cuisine of Tuyên Quang Province is not just “pho” or “Banh Cuon” as we commonly know, but also features unique dishes like boiled snails, baby quail eggs, pigeon rice porridge, and local white liquor found almost everywhere in town. Most importantly, the prices are cheap and the flavors truly reflect authentic local food. For me, mr.hotsia, tasting the food and living the life in this small city helped me understand the lifestyle and culture of northern Vietnamese people more deeply.

If anyone wants to follow my footsteps, mr.hotsia, try experiencing Tuyên Quang at least once. I guarantee delicious food, warm atmosphere, and unforgettable impressions you won’t find in big cities.