Yen Bai Grilled Duck

Yen Bai Grilled Duck: A flavor that I, mr.hotsia, must say is not to be missed

When talking about Yên Bái province in northern Vietnam, many might think of nature, high mountains, or Thác Bà Lake, which is famous. But for me, mr.hotsia, who has traveled here, there is one thing I want to share seriously and clearly: the "Yen Bai grilled duck" I found along the way from the bus station into the city.

I arrived in Yên Bái province by bus and had to walk from the bus station into the city. Along the way, I passed a simple grilled duck shop with no tables to sit and eat, but the grilled ducks displayed in front of the shop made me stop immediately. The golden-yellow grilled duck with crispy, juicy skin looked very appetizing. I, mr.hotsia, decided to buy some grilled duck to take back to the hotel near the train station where I was staying (if anyone is interested, I recommend checking outYên Bái ProvinceandYên Bái Train Stationwhich I have written about) so I could fully enjoy eating it with friends.

This grilled duck shop does not sell rice. For those who want to add rice, you have to walk to buy plain rice at the rice shop in front of the train station. In Vietnamese, plain rice is called “Gạo trắng.” I tried to communicate with local vendors to order rice and grilled duck together. The impression was in eating slowly, chewing carefully, and chatting for almost half an hour. The grilled duck here has a unique flavor, unlike grilled duck in Bangkok or elsewhere. The skin is crispy but not hard, the duck meat is tender and juicy, with a rich taste that is not overly salty.

Why is grilled duck in Yen Bai outstanding?

From my experience, mr.hotsia, having tasted grilled duck in many places in Vietnam, I think Yen Bai has its own special recipe that combines spices and grilling methods to give the duck a balanced aroma of herbs and wood smoke—not too strong. It feels like eating local food prepared with care. Importantly, this shop focuses on take-away only, with no seating, which emphasizes that they prioritize quality and flavor over quantity.

Yên Bái province itself is an agricultural province located in northern Vietnam. It has cool weather in winter and mountainous areas up to 1,500 meters above sea level. If you are interested in the atmosphere and local lifestyle, I recommend visiting the Yên Bái market (Yên Bái Market) near the train station. There you will see simple breakfast foods like fried tofu, bánh mì, or Vietnamese crepes sold at roadside stalls, as well as Vietnamese coffee shops popular among Yên Bái locals.

Tips for travelers wanting to try Yen Bai grilled duck

For those planning to come to Yên Bái and want to try the grilled duck I recommend, there are a few things to know: this grilled duck shop has no seating; you must take away to eat at your accommodation or as a snack while chatting with friends. For plain rice, buy it at the rice shop in front of the train station or other rice shops in town (here rice is called “Gạo trắng”). Don’t forget to order boiled or blanched vegetables to eat with it for a more balanced flavor.

I, mr.hotsia, also have a video clip recording the relaxed moment of eating grilled duck with friends for almost half an hour. Anyone interested in seeing the real atmosphere can follow it on my channel.

Additional for Vietnamese food lovers

If you want to try other Vietnamese dishes besides grilled duck in Yên Bái, I have written about local food in this province in the articleFood in Yên Bái Provincewhich features a variety of dishes, from phở, bún noodles, to delicious bánh mì, and Vietnamese white liquor popular among locals during meals. There are also popular Vietnamese drip coffee shops in Yên Bái market, which I like to buy as souvenirs.

For accommodation, I stayed atHotels in Yên Báinamed Thuong Mai Hotel, located opposite Yên Bái train station. It is very convenient for travelers arriving by train who want to rest in a small, peaceful town. The internet here is very fast, helping me update work and share experiences quickly.

Summary of mr.hotsia's impression of Yen Bai grilled duck

I, mr.hotsia, want to say that trying grilled duck in Yên Bái province is a special experience truly different from elsewhere. The grilled duck here is not just a dish but a taste of local flavor, lifestyle, and the simple yet profound character of Yên Bái people. I recommend everyone visiting this province to find a chance to try grilled duck from a small roadside shop. I guarantee you will take home a memorable taste.