Smoked meat: A signature dish in Northwest Vietnam

When thinking about the best food in Northwest Vietnam, smoked meat always springs to mind because of its deliciousness and cooking techniques.

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Northwest Vietnam not only intrigues many local and foreign travellers with its magnificent nature and bustle-free ambience, but it is also home to an amazing diversity of incredible cuisine. Amongst many local dishes, smoked meat is rather unique. Strolling around the traditional wooden houses, you will be inundated by the flavourful fragrance of this delicacy. As a traditional dish created by people living in the mountainous region, smoked meat has become a popular snack food, making it a must-try culinary experience for every foodie when travelling to Northwest Vietnam.

Traditionally, there is a wide range of great meats that can be smoked, for instance, buffalo, cow or pork. In the past, the upland people created an effective way to preserve their food for a long time. After being marinated, they would hang it on shelves in the kitchen and wait until it had completely dried. Over time, smoked meat has become a traditional dish and the pièce de résistance of Northwest Vietnam.

There is a basic yet flavourful way to cook up this dish. It is the best to use large cuts of lean meats like brisket and then marinate them in a rich mélange of different spices, including ginger, galangal, dried chillies, black pepper, monosodium glutamate and salt. After soaking for a couple of hours, people will skewer the meat with pointed bamboo sticks and then neatly hang them on shelves in the kitchen about 50cm from the stove. People will interchange the positions of the meat skewers every day until they are completely dried. It is said that smoked meat has become the staple and most popular dish throughout Northwest Vietnam.

Your trip to Northwest Vietnam would not be complete without savouring smoked meat served with spicy sauce and then sipping a cup of traditional wine. A traditional cooking technique has formed a dish that is unique to the local people. Only when you chow down on the smoked meat can you appreciate its one-of-a-kind deliciousness and flavour.

Photo: Internet

There is nothing better than sitting by a cosy fire on a cold day and listening to the sounds of nature whilst enjoying a glass of wine and some smoked meat. This dish is so popular and you can easily buy it anywhere. The signature taste of Northwest Vietnam will give you a very different insight into traditional food and you can immerse yourself in spectacular nature and diverse culture.

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