Exploring Highland Cuisine: 20 Must-Try Dishes in Ha Giang

Known for its breathtaking mountains and vibrant cultures, Ha Giang is also home to a rich tradition of highland cuisine – simple, rustic dishes crafted from local wisdom and seasonal ingredients. At Phieu Travel, we understand that true exploration means tasting the soul of a land. Join us as we guide you through 20 must-try specialties that reveal the authentic flavors and heritage of northern Vietnam.

1. Buckwheat Cake

Buckwheat Cake is a signature treat of Ha Giang’s highlands, representing the unique flavors of highland cuisine. Made by grinding buckwheat seeds into flour, shaping them into flat rounds, and grilling over charcoal, the cakes form a golden crust while staying soft and mildly sweet inside. Depending on the variety, they can appear in purple, white, or golden hues, carrying a nutty aroma and earthy flavor.

Locals enjoy buckwheat cakes on their own or paired with dishes like Cap Nach pork or Thang Co. You can easily find them at village markets during the buckwheat blooming season from October to November, typically priced between 10,000 and 15,000 VND each.

2. Men Men (Steamed Corn Flour)

In the kitchens of Ha Giang’s H’Mong communities, Men Men holds a special place as a daily staple in highland cuisine, born from the rugged highlands. This traditional dish is crafted by stone-milling mature corn kernels, sifting them carefully, and steaming the meal twice over wood fires to achieve a fluffy, nutty texture.

Men Men is often paired with mustard green soup, pork broth, or tau soup to balance its hearty density. At village markets, a serving usually costs between 15,000 and 20,000 VND, giving travelers an authentic glimpse into the simple but resilient food culture of Ha Giang’s highlands.

3. Thang Co (Traditional Horse Meat Soup)

Thang Co, a time-honored specialty of Ha Giang’s highland cuisine, was originally prepared with horse meat and organs but now often features buffalo, beef, or pork. The meat is simmered for hours with bones and offal, infused with 12 mountain spices like lime leaves, star anise, cardamom and others to create a rich, hearty broth.

Locals typically enjoy Thang Co with salt, chili, and fresh herbs, or pair it with Men Men to balance its hearty flavor. A bowl usually costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND at markets like Dong Van. Traditionally served during winter fairs and village gatherings, Thang Co remains a comforting highlight of highland cuisine.

4. Thang Den (Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Soup)

Thang Den is a popular dessert in Ha Giang’s highland cuisine, crafted from aromatic sticky rice flour sourced from areas like Yen Minh District. The dough is filled with mung beans, red beans, or sesame seeds, then shaped into small balls and boiled until tender.

The finished rice balls are served in a sweet ginger syrup, enriched with coconut milk, roasted peanuts, or sesame seeds. A bowl usually costs between 25,000 and 50,000 VND, making it a warm and satisfying treat on chilly mornings at the market.

5. Five-Colored Sticky Rice

Using fragrant glutinous rice soaked in natural plant extracts like gac fruit, turmeric, ginger leaves, and black sticky rice leaves, locals craft Five-Colored Sticky Rice, a staple of highland cuisine, into vibrant layers of white, red, yellow, green, and purple. After careful steaming, the rice retains its soft texture and delicate fragrance, representing both culinary skill and highland cultural symbolism.

At markets such as Meo Vac or Dong Van Old Quarter, a portion typically costs between 10,000 and 20,000 VND. Five-Colored Sticky Rice is often paired with grilled pork skewers, boiled corn, or sesame salt, offering a simple yet colorful part of daily meals in Ha Giang.

6. Hunchback Chung Cake (Square Sticky Rice Cake)

Hunchback Chung Cake is a Red Dao specialty in highland cuisine, characterized by its hump-shaped form symbolizing the endurance of highland women. It is made from sticky rice, mung beans, and fatty pork, wrapped in a single layer of dong rieng leaves.

The cake has a vibrant green color and a soft, chewy interior after steaming. Typically sold at Meo Vac Market for around 20,000 VND, it serves as both a quick snack and a meaningful cultural gift.

7. Au Tau Porridge (Poisonous Root Porridge)

Au Tau Porridge is a unique dish in highland cuisine, made from the au tau root – a naturally toxic tuber that grows on rocky cliffs. Through traditional processing techniques, locals detoxify the root and combine it with sticky upland rice, minced pork, and simmered pork leg, creating a thick, aromatic porridge with a light brown color.

Despite a mild initial bitterness, the porridge finishes with a gentle sweetness, especially when topped with fresh herbs, pepper and a poached egg. A hearty bowl typically costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND and is best enjoyed on cool evenings, offering both warmth and a deep connection to Ha Giang’s rugged highland life.

8. Bamboo Tube Rice – A Rustic Highlight of Highland Cuisine in Bac Me

In Bac Me, sticky rice is soaked, lightly salted, and carefully packed into young bamboo tubes before being slow-roasted over a charcoal fire. As the rice cooks, it absorbs the smoky scent from the bamboo and banana leaves, resulting in a tender texture and a subtle, earthy flavor that defines this highland specialty.

Once ready, the bamboo is split open to reveal soft, aromatic rice, best enjoyed with sesame salt, roasted peanuts, or grilled fish. A tube of Bamboo Tube Rice typically costs between 15,000 and 25,000 VND at local markets, offering travelers a simple yet memorable taste of Ha Giang’s traditional mountain cuisine.

9. Dong Van Steamed Rice Rolls

Dong Van Steamed Rice Rolls are a popular breakfast and lunch option in Ha Giang’s highland cuisine, featuring thin, silky rice wrappers filled with minced pork and wood ear mushrooms. Unlike lowland versions, they are served with hot pork bone broth instead of dipping sauce, topped with scallions, pepper, and chili for extra flavor.

A plate typically costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND at local markets. Locals often enjoy it with a side of fried cinnamon pork sausage, making the meal more filling and flavorful without overwhelming the delicate taste of the rolls.

10. Trang Kim Chicken ‘Pho’

Trang Kim Chicken ‘Pho’ offers a hearty start to mornings in Ha Giang’s highland cuisine, featuring golden slices of free-range H’Mong chicken. Its springy, flavorful meat distinguishes it from other chicken pho varieties.

Simmered chicken bone broth seasoned with ginger, cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom complements handmade noodles. A bowl usually costs 25,000 to 30,000 VND at local eateries across Ha Giang.

11. Smoked Buffalo Meat

Smoked Buffalo Meat is a renowned specialty of Ha Giang’s highland cuisine, first developed by the Thai ethnic community. Fresh buffalo meat is marinated with spices like mac khen pepper, ginger, and chili, then slowly smoked over wood fires. After weeks of air-drying above kitchen hearths, the meat develops a smoky aroma, a firm exterior, and a rich red interior.

To enjoy it, locals usually steam the meat until tender and dip it in mac khen salt or cham cheo sauce for full flavor. Prices typically range from 800,000 to 1,100,000 VND per kilogram, and it is often sold at local markets or directly by ethnic households in Ha Giang’s mountain villages.

12. Cap Nach Pork (Free-Range Pig)

Cap Nach Pork features lean, firm meat from free-range pigs weighing around 10–15 kilograms. Raised in mountainous villages, these pigs produce meat prized for its rich flavor and low fat content.

The pork is either roasted, steamed, or stir-fried with forest vegetables and is best enjoyed with garlic chili fish sauce or salt and lime. Prices range from 100,000 to 140,000 VND per kilogram at local markets.

13. Sour Pho

Sour Pho brings a refreshing twist to Ha Giang’s breakfast scene. It combines soft rice noodles with roasted pork, char siu, or lap xuong sausage, topped with a sweet-sour sauce made from vinegar, sugar and mountain spices. Fresh herbs like mint, shredded green papaya, cucumber, and garlic are added to balance the rich flavors and create a lively, satisfying dish.

A bowl of Sour Pho typically costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND at local markets such as Dong Van. Many travelers enjoy pairing it with a glass of corn wine for a complete highland breakfast experience.

14. Che Lam (Sticky Rice Candy)

Che Lam in Ha Giang uses buckwheat flour rather than traditional glutinous rice flour. Buckwheat seeds are sun-dried, ground, and mixed with malt, sugar, and roasted peanuts to create a chewy, nutty candy.

Soft and subtly sweet, Che Lam is available widely at local markets, making it a favorite souvenir to bring home after visiting Ha Giang’s buckwheat-covered landscapes.

15. Seedless Persimmons – A Highland Delicacy from Quan Ba, Ha Giang

Seedless persimmons from Quan Ba offer a crisp texture and a gentle sweetness, developed from the region’s cool climate and rugged terrain. After harvest, the fruits are left to ripen naturally to remove any remaining astringency.

Their sturdy shape and vibrant flavor make them a popular gift, especially during the harvest season at local markets across Quan Ba.

16. Corn Wine

In Ha Giang, Corn Wine is traditionally brewed from highland corn combined with wild forest yeast, creating a light sweetness and smooth aroma that distinguishes it from other local spirits. The fermentation process follows age-old H’Mong methods, with no chemical additives, resulting in a gentle flavor that is easy to drink without causing a heavy aftertaste.

Corn Wine is widely available at village markets and roadside stalls, especially during festivals and harvest seasons. It is often shared during family gatherings and ceremonies, making it not only a festive drink but also a meaningful souvenir that captures the natural essence of Ha Giang’s highlands.

17. Lap Xuong (Smoked Sausage)

Lap Xuong in Ha Giang is crafted from free-range mountain pork, carefully mixed with spices like mac khen pepper, ginger, and garlic. After seasoning, the meat is stuffed into casings and slow-dried over kitchen fires for several days, allowing it to absorb a deep smoky aroma unique to the highlands.

Once dried, the sausages are best pan-fried until golden and served with ginger fish sauce. With its chewy bite, savory richness, and lingering smoky flavor, Lap Xuong is a favorite both at family meals and as a rustic gift brought home by travelers.

18. Ancient Shan Tuyet Tea

High in the misty mountains of Ha Giang, ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees have thrived for hundreds of years, producing thick, velvety leaves covered with a natural white “snow.” Carefully handpicked, these rare leaves yield a tea that is smooth, lightly sweet, and rich with the scent of untouched forests.

Shan Tuyet Tea is harvested four times a year and dried with traditional methods to preserve its pure aroma and delicate flavor. Revered both locally and beyond, it remains one of Ha Giang’s most treasured gifts, offering a taste of the highlands’ timeless beauty.

19. Ha Giang Oranges

On the rugged highlands of Ha Giang, orange trees thrive in rocky soil and cool air, producing fruits with thick golden-red skins and vibrant, juicy flesh. Thanks to this unique terrain, Ha Giang oranges develop a balanced flavor – naturally sweet yet pleasantly tangy depending on their ripeness.

During harvest season from November to January, visitors can easily find these oranges at local markets or roadside stalls. Freshly picked and sold in rustic baskets, they offer an authentic taste of Ha Giang’s fertile mountain life.

20. Mint Honey

Every winter from October to January, mint flowers bloom across the Dong Van Karst Plateau, giving rise to one of Ha Giang’s most treasured delicacies: Mint Honey. Bees collect nectar from these mountain blossoms, producing a honey with a light sweetness and a refreshing, subtle mint aroma.

Because the harvest depends entirely on the short flowering season, authentic Mint Honey is limited and often sold directly at local markets or by village beekeepers. Its pure, soothing flavor makes it a prized gift for travelers visiting Ha Giang during the colder months.

Each journey to Ha Giang with Phieu Travel is about truly experiencing the spirit of highland cuisine and culture. Along the way, you will taste authentic flavors crafted by local hands, hear stories passed down through generations and feel the living pulse of the highlands in every meal. Let us be your trusted companion in discovering the real Ha Giang!