On a one-day food tour to Bac Ninh, visitors can sample many delicious dishes, such as pho gan chay (charred liver pho), chao ca Tich Nghi (Tich Nghi fish porridge), nem bui (rolls with fried rice powder), and bun mau (colorful noodles). 

Located about 40 kilometers from Hanoi, Bac Ninh City is a popular destination in northern Vietnam thanks to its short travel distance, convenient transport, and budget-friendly costs.

Here are a few dining spots for a one-day food tour in Bac Ninh, suggested by Nguyen Duc, a travel blogger from Hanoi:

After about an hour's journey from Hanoi, travelers are advised to start their day in Bac Ninh by fueling up with pho gan chay. A bowl of this unique pho includes various ingredients such as charred liver, lean pork, kidney, and served with bean sprouts, and scallions, priced at VND35,000-50,000.

"Pho gan chay is generously served. The broth is rich, with a cloudy appearance from stir-fried meat extracts," he said.

Recommended spots to try pho gan chay in Bac Ninh City include Vinh Xuong (on Tran Luu Street), Dap Cau (Dau Ma Street).

For a delicious and economical breakfast option, banh te (rice cake (filled with browned onion) from Cho Village is suggested. The dish is suitable for both adults and children, priced at just VND4,000.

Duc suggested buying banh te of Cho Village at Do Market in Bac Ninh City. Banh te there is similar to banh gio (Vietnamese pyramid rice dumpling), containing meat and wood ear mushrooms, but the outer layer is denser and chewier.

Bun mau, one of the most beloved dishes, is a perfect choice for lunch due to its light and easily digestible nature. Bun mau is like a Vietnamese version of spaghetti, as it combines rice noodles with tomato sauce and minced meat, according to Duc.

He recommends trying this dish at Nhon Market in Tien An ward, priced at VND30,000.

In addition to bun mau, bun tron (mixed vermicelli) is also favored by locals for its simplicity and affordability, costing VND35,000-40,000.

Travelers can visit local traditional markets like Do and Nhon Markets to enjoy afternoon treats. There are many food stalls offering affordable options such as banh my thit xien nuong (bread with grilled meat skewer), nem bui, and more. Prices range from VND6,000 for grilled bread, VND15,000 per skewer, to VND25,000 per roll of nem bui.

TichNghi fish porridge is a must-try specialty, especially perfect for a hearty dinner on chilly days.

Duc recommends the porridge shop on Ho Ngoc Lan Street.

“The eatery uses grass carp for the porridge. The fish is fragrant, rich, non-powdery, with no fishy taste. Besides fish, the porridge also has spawn and intestines.

Thao Trinh