Tips for eating & finding restaurants in Ha Giang
- Learn some basic Vietnamese words: Understanding the local language will help you decipher menus and communicate your dietary preferences at restaurants.
- Hire a local guide: For a seamless dining experience, especially if you have specific dietary wishes, a local guide can plan your meals and recommend the best dishes and restaurants.
- Embrace local eateries: While exploring the region, you might not always be close to towns with many restaurant options. Embrace the opportunity to eat at small, local eateries for an authentic taste of the region’s cuisine.
- Check review websites: Utilize platforms like TripAdvisor to discover highly-rated restaurants in Ha Giang, ensuring a satisfying culinary journey during your visit.
Ha Giang local dishes
1. Au Tau Porridge: This unique dish features a porridge made from a special kind of tree called “au tau.” The porridge is cooked with various ingredients like minced pork, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms, creating a delightful blend of flavors.
2. Meo Wine: Ha Giang is famous for its homemade wines, and “meo wine” is a must-try. It’s made from fermented corn or rice and infused with local medicinal herbs, giving it a distinctive taste.
3. Thit Lon Cap Nach: Also known as “free-range pig,” this dish features pork that is raised in a traditional way and allowed to roam freely. The meat is tender and succulent, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
4. Lam Rice: Lam rice is a traditional dish prepared by cooking sticky rice in bamboo tubes. The bamboo infuses the rice with a unique aroma, making it a delectable and fragrant treat.
6. Thang Co: A traditional Hmong dish made from horse meat, organs, and bones, simmered for hours with special herbs and spices. It’s a hearty and flavorful stew, often enjoyed during festive occasions.
Vegetarian & vegan food in Ha Giang
In Ha Giang, finding strictly vegetarian and vegan restaurants can be a bit challenging, as the region is not predominantly Buddhist and not very developed yet for foreign tourist.
However, there are some options available for those with plant-based dietary preferences. Many local restaurants offer a variety of small dishes, including vegetables, tofu, eggs, rice, and noodles, which can be suitable for vegetarians. Additionally, homestays that cater to foreign travelers are more likely to have vegetarian dishes on their menu.
While it may require some effort compared to other regions, it is possible to travel and enjoy Ha Giang as a vegetarian or vegan.
Local restaurants in Ha Giang
Most restaurants in Ha Giang, especially those located outside of towns, are very local restaurants and a great place to experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Each restaurant typically specializes in a few signature dishes, which are often displayed on signs outside. These eateries may not have extensive menus and communication can be a bit challenging as English-speaking staff and menus are not common.
Additionally, it’s essential to carry enough cash, as card payments are not accepted at most local restaurants. Meals at these establishments are quite affordable, ranging from 1 to 3 USD per person.
With the increasing tourism in Ha Giang, some local restaurants in popular areas along the loop have adapted to cater to foreign travelers. They now offer Vietnamese food that appeals to tourists, so you can still enjoy delicious local dishes without worrying about consuming anything too exotic.
Useful words
To help you navigate menu’s and food signs outside local restaurants and communicate with the locals, we have compiled a list of words that can be helpful:
| English | Vietnamese |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Gà |
| Pork | Heo |
| Beef | Bò |
| Vegetarian | Chay |
| Rice | Cơm |
| Noodle | Mì |
| Pho | Phở |
| Soup | Súp |
| Fried | Chiên |
| Grilled | Nướng |
| Spicy | Cay |
| Egg | Trứng |
| Tofu | Đậu hũ |
| Fish | Cá |
| Shrimp | Tôm |
| Vegetables | Rau |
| Spring rolls | Nem cuốn |
| Fried rice | Cơm chiên |
| Stir-fried | Xào |
| Steamed | Hấp |
| Hot pot | Lẩu |
| Pancake | Bánh xèo |
| Dumplings | Bánh bao |
| Dessert | Tráng miệng |
| Coffee | Cà phê |
| Tea | Trà |
| Beer | Bia |
| Water | Nước |
| Bill/Check | Tính tiền |
| Thank you | Cảm ơn |
| Delicious | Ngon |
| Spicy | Cay |
| No meat | Không thịt |
| No egg | Không trứng |
| No shrimp | Không tôm |
| No fish sauce | Không nước mắm |
| No peanuts | Không lạc |
Western food in Ha Giang
As tourism in Ha Giang grows, the availability of Western food has also increased. In larger towns like Ha Giang City, Dong Van, and Meo Vac, you can now find restaurants that serve excellent Western dishes such as pizza, hamburgers, and pasta.
So, if you ever crave a break from Vietnamese cuisine and want to enjoy some familiar flavors, these options are worth considering. However, it’s essential to remember that the main charm of Ha Giang lies in its local dishes and unique culinary experiences, so do try to explore the local food scene as well during your visit.
Family diner
Experiencing a family-style dinner is one of the highlights of staying in a local homestay in Ha Giang. When you choose this option, you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to dine together with the homestay host’s family and other guests. The meal is typically shared among everyone, with a variety of dishes placed in the center, including vegetables, meats, tofu, eggs, rice, and spring rolls.
In some places, it is customary to sit on the floor, where a large sheet is spread out, and all the food is set in the middle for everyone to enjoy together. Local homemade rice wine is often served during these meals, and it’s a delightful tradition to cheer with the phrase “mot hai ba yo” (one two three cheers) before drinking together.
This unique dining experience not only allows you to savor delicious homemade dishes but also offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the warm hospitality and culture of the local communities in Ha Giang.
Recommended restaurants in Ha Giang
While TripAdvisor can be a helpful resource for finding recommended restaurants in Ha Giang, it is essential to keep in mind that many local restaurants may not have a page on the platform. If you wish to experience more local eateries, you might need to explore the area further or seek advice from your guide if you are traveling with one.
A useful tip for finding good restaurants is to observe if there are many local dining there. Local customers often indicate that the food is of high quality, and a busy restaurant suggests that dishes are made fresh and not left sitting for long periods, ensuring both hygiene and food safety.
