1. Com Chay (Crispy Burnt Rice Crust) – The Iconic Must-Try Dish of Ninh Binh

Com Chay Ninh Binh is a traditional dish made from glutinous rice that is cooked, pressed into thin pieces, then dried and deep-fried until crispy. The dish stands out with its golden color and signature crunch, featuring a light and crispy texture complemented by the sweet and savory taste of shredded pork floss.

Crispy rice is often served with goat meat or dipped in fish sauce to enhance its flavor. You can buy Com Chay at almost any store in Ninh Binh, from small convenience shops to supermarkets.

Recommended spots to savor Com Chay:

Crispy and golden, Com Chay is a beloved Vietnamese snack made from scorched rice, often topped with savory shredded pork and rich chili sauce

2. Thit De Nui (Mountain Goat Meat) – A True Ninh Binh Food Specialty

Ninh Binh mountain goat meat is known for its distinctive flavor, as the goats are naturally raised on limestone mountains, resulting in firm, lean meat. The meat is tender, naturally sweet, and richly flavored when combined with ingredients like ginger, lemongrass, and chili.

It is typically served with fresh herbs and a special dipping sauce to enhance the taste. Popular dishes include grilled goat, steamed goat with ginger, stir-fried goat with lemongrass and chili, and rare goat salad with lime.

Note: Goat meat has a distinct aroma similar to lamb, so those sensitive to strong food smells may want to consider this.

Places to enjoy mountain goat dishes:

Tender goat meat lightly marinated in lime juice, served with fresh herbs for a zesty, refreshing taste

3. Goi Ca Nhech (Raw Fish Salad) – A Bold And Refreshing Delicacy

“Goi Ca Nhech” is made from fresh raw fish, cleaned and thinly sliced, then marinated with ingredients such as vinegar, garlic, and chili. The dish is wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs and dipped in a special ginger fish sauce.

The combination of the fish’s natural sweetness, the mild sourness of vinegar, the spiciness of chili and garlic, and the crunchiness of the herbs creates a unique and well-balanced flavor.

Where to try Goi Ca Nhech:

A flavorful salad made from fermented raw fish, blended with herbs, spices, and toasted rice powder

4. Bun Moc Kim Son (Kim Son Pork Meatballs Noodle Soup) – A Hidden Street Food Gem

“Bun Moc Kim Son” features fresh rice noodles served in a clear, naturally sweet broth made from pork bones, accompanied by delicious “Moc” (pork meatballs). What makes this dish special is the carefully selected pork sourced from the Kim Son region. The broth is light and flavorful, the noodles are soft, and the meatballs are delightfully chewy, creating a well-balanced and approachable dish.

Where to enjoy Bun Moc Kim Son:

Bun Moc Kim Son is a light yet flavorful dish, featuring a clear savory broth, tender juicy pork balls, and fresh, chewy rice noodles

5. Ca Kho Gao (Caramelized Fish with Gao Fruit) – Sweet, Sour, And Savory Balance

Caramelized fish with Gao Fruit is a rustic dish made from freshwater fish (commonly catfish or snakehead fish) simmered with “Gao” fruit – a unique sour fruit native to Ninh Binh. The mild tartness of the gao fruit blends perfectly with the rich, tender fish, creating a savory and flavorful harmony. The dish has a beautiful golden-brown color, with the fish deeply infused with spices and meltingly soft, best enjoyed with a bowl of hot white rice.

Where to try Caramelized Fish with Gao Fruit:

Ca Kho Gao is a slow-cooked fish dish infused with the tangy flavor of “Gao” fruit, offering a rich, savory-sour taste that's uniquely Ninh Binh

6. Oc Nui (Mountain Snails) – A Rare And Unique Treat

Mountain snails only appear during the rainy season (from April to August). They live in limestone caves and feed on forest leaves, making them very clean and naturally flavorful.

Mountain snails have a pleasantly crunchy texture and a refreshing taste. They can be steamed with lemongrass, grilled with scallion oil, or stir-fried with tamarind sauce. When grilled, they release a distinct aroma that blends perfectly with the scallion oil and sweet-sour fish sauce, creating an irresistibly delicious dish.

Where to enjoy mountain snails:

Mountain snails from Ninh Binh are foraged from limestone hills, prized for their firm texture and naturally sweet, earthy flavor

7. Nem Chua Yen Mac (Fermented Pork Roll) – A Tangy Delight Food

“Nem Chua Yen Mac” is made from naturally fermented lean pork mixed with pork skin and spices, then wrapped in banana leaves. This is a type of fermented pork roll eaten raw, typically served with garlic, chili, fig leaves, and sour starfruit.

Nem Chua Yen Mac has a mildly sour, rich flavor with the aroma of fermented meat. The pork skin is crunchy, tender and chewy, infused with the scent of garlic and banana leaves.

Where to enjoy Nem Chua Yen Mac:

Nem Chua Yen Mac is a tangy, mildly spicy fermented pork roll wrapped in fragrant banana leaves, offering a chewy texture and distinctive northern flavor

8. Xoi Trung Kien (Ant Egg Sticky Rice) – A Unique Protein-Rich Dish

Ant egg sticky rice is a unique dish of the ethnic communities in the mountainous region of Nho Quan, Ninh Binh. Ant eggs are usually harvested in the spring when forest ants build nests high up in the trees. Locals climb the trees, collect the nests, and carefully extract the smooth, white eggs. The eggs are then sautéed with scallions and lard to enhance their aroma before being sprinkled over freshly steamed glutinous rice.

The ant egg sticky rice is soft and chewy, blending with the rich, slightly nutty flavor and distinctive fragrance of the ant eggs. Each bite offers a unique combination of the sticky rice's texture and the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sensation of the eggs, creating a taste that is both unusual and delicious.

Recommended spots to savor Xoi Trung Kien:

Ant Egg Sticky Rice is a unique sticky rice dish topped with ant eggs, delivering a creamy, nutty flavor and protein-packed bite

9. Ruou Kim Son (Kim Son Rice Wine) – A Strong Local Brew

Kim Son Rice Wine is a famous specialty from the coastal region of Kim Son, Ninh Binh. It is made from a local variety of glutinous rice called nep cai hoa vang, fermented with a traditional yeast composed of over 30 kinds of herbs. The fermentation and distillation processes are done entirely by hand in clay jars, preserving the original flavor.

The wine is crystal clear, lightly fragrant with the scent of sticky rice, and has a sweet aftertaste with a warm yet smooth finish. Notably, Kim Son wine was once offered to royalty in ancient times. Today, it is often present at local festivals as a symbol of cultural heritage.

Where to try Kim Son Rice Wine:

Ruou Kim Son is a traditional rice wine made from glutinous rice, known for its strong, smooth taste and deep cultural roots in Ninh Binh

10. Where to Buy Ninh Binh’s Local and Specialty Foods

These are the best places to shop for local specialties, from crispy com chay to fermented pork rolls and handcrafted rice wine.

Ninh Binh Rong Market

Ninh Binh Rong Market's bustling traditional market offers a wide range of regional delights such as Nem Chua Yen Mac (Fermented Pork Roll), Xoi Trung Kien (Ant Egg Sticky Rice), and Ruou Kim Son (Kim Son Rice Wine). It's a great place to explore authentic street snacks and pick up edible souvenirs at local prices from 50,000 - 100,000 VND.

NinBin - Ninh Binh’s Com Chay Speciality

Dedicated to the region’s iconic com chay, NinBin curates the best crispy rice products in beautifully packaged boxes – perfect for gifting. They also offer modern twists like spicy floss toppings or sesame-coated versions. Price ranges from 60,000 - 80,000 VND.

Specialty Stores at Hoa Lu Old Quarter

Located in the heart of the ancient capital area, specialty stores at Hoa Lu Old Quarter are treasure troves of Ninh Binh specialties: local herbal teas and rice wines. The surrounding atmosphere is rich in history and charm, making your shopping experience even more memorable.

These specialties are widely available around or near Ninh Binh’s most famous attractions like Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, and Bai Dinh Pagoda, so you can easily taste and shop locally as you explore.

Specialty stores at Hoa Lu Old Quarter offer a curated selection of Ninh Binh’s finest local products, from local food to handcrafted souvenirs
Ninh Binh is more than just stunning landscapes and ancient history – it’s also a culinary treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Each dish in Ninh Binh food guide reflects the region’s rich heritage, natural ingredients, and the love locals pour into their cooking. From mountain-raised goat meat to crispy burnt rice and unique seasonal treats like mountain snails or ant egg sticky rice, every bite offers a new layer of Ninh Binh’s identity.

For more exciting travel and food experiences, don’t forget to check out other must-visit destinations with Vietnam Airlines.