Why You Must Stop to See the Tang Hau Chicken Pile at Thái Hòa Street Food VIETNAM

Why You Must Stop to See the Tang Hau Chicken Pile at Thái Hòa Street Food VIETNAM

When it comes to authentic Northern Vietnamese street food in the eyes of mr.hotsia, I must say that “Tang Hau Chicken Pile” is one destination you absolutely cannot miss. Although it is not yet a familiar city name to foreign tourists, for locals or those who love exploring fresh markets and authentic Vietnamese street food, this is a true food paradise.

The last time I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to travel through a province in Northern Vietnam not far from the Chinese border, the city backdrop was filled with mountains and a river flowing through the town similar to Lang Son province where I have been before (Lang Son Province, Vietnam). The weather there is hot and humid in summer but has an irresistible charm that attracts food lovers like me.

Tang Hau Chicken Pile, or simply called “Grilled Chicken Pile” by some, is a grilled chicken dish that stands out in the fresh market of Tang Hau city, the city I traveled to specifically to taste this food. The special thing about the chicken pile is not only the crispy outside and tender inside of the carefully grilled chicken but also the way it is sold — whole chickens stacked in small piles by the roadside, making passersby stop and unable to resist trying it.

The aroma from the copper-colored grilled chicken mixed with Northern Vietnamese local spices combined with the scent of carefully lit charcoal made me, mr.hotsia, fascinated to the point of standing and watching the grilling techniques of the vendors at Thái Hòa street food market here without getting bored. Importantly, the price is very affordable compared to the flavor you get.

What I really like is the simple yet profound way of eating. The locals here eat the chicken pile with hot sticky rice and a special chili sauce that has a slightly sweet and sour taste, perfectly cutting through the richness of the grilled chicken. Some also like to eat it with fresh vegetables sold in the market, adding freshness and crunch to this street meal.

The atmosphere at Thái Hòa market in Tang Hau city is not only good for the chicken pile but also full of various street food stalls that I, mr.hotsia, sampled continuously, from grilled button squid seasoned with spices to Vietnamese chicken biryani with a distinctly different flavor from elsewhere (if you want to see the grilled button squid atmosphere, check outthis clipand the chicken biryani fromthis clip)

Visiting here feels like stepping back in time to experience the true lifestyle of Northern Vietnamese people I once encountered in Lang Son province, where I stayed in the city center and could easily walk to the market (Read about Lang Son Province). The fresh market here is full of friendly vendors and offers a wide variety of food. This is the charm of travel that mr.hotsia loves the most — not just beautiful places but the feeling of truly experiencing local life.

If you love food and want to try something new that isn’t overly processed, Tang Hau Chicken Pile is the right choice for you. I, mr.hotsia, recommend coming early in the morning because the market atmosphere is lively and the chicken piles are still hot and fresh in big stacks for you to choose from. Additionally, you have the chance to talk with the shop owners who are usually happy to share stories and the chicken pile recipe passed down through generations.

To get to Tang Hau city, I recommend using reliable public transportation or taxis because sometimes parking in small towns like this can be inconvenient. For those interested in travel and accommodation in Northern Vietnam, check out more information about traveling in nearby provinces such asVinh Long Bus Stationwhich is a key transfer point for travel in Southern Vietnam, or if you like the sea, you can also visit the beautiful beach ofNha Trang Sea.

Finally, for anyone wanting to stay overnight near a small town like this, I, mr.hotsia, have good experiences staying in small hotels around Northern Vietnamese towns that are friendly and affordable. See examples of where I stayed in the city of Viet Tri in the articleRecommended Hotels in Viet Tri Citywhich will help make your trip more comfortable.

For me, mr.hotsia, standing and watching the Tang Hau Chicken Pile is not just about eating but about experiencing the taste of life of the local people here through their favorite dish. That is the charm that makes me want to stop and see this chicken pile again and again.