Vegan And Vegetarian Dishes In Ha Giang

Ha Giang offers a plethora of great dishes, but the majority are non-vegan, so it can be quite hard to find vegan and vegetarian options while exploring the Ha Giang Loop. But do not fret, there are still some Ha Giang specialties that are vegan and absolutely delicious, so you won’t have to eat rice and tofu all the time. So without further ado, here are some vegan and vegetarian dishes in Ha Giang and where to eat them!

Vegan and vegetarian dishes in Ha Giang

Com Lam

Com Lam is a specialty dish of the Northwest region in general and Ha Giang in particular. The dish is made from fragrant glutinous rice, placed inside a bamboo tube sealed at both ends with banana leaves, and grilled over a red-hot charcoal fire.

All the natural, rustic ingredients from the mountainous region blend together to create the distinctive flavor of this delicacy. Typically, Com Lam is eaten with muối vừng (crushed-up peanuts, mixed with sesame and salt), both of which I think are such simple ingredients but complement each other so well. You can find Com Lam in most restaurants in Ha Giang, and  in souvenir shops.

Source: Internet

Thang Den

Thang Den is a specialty dish of Ha Giang. Not to be mixed with Thang Co, which is a dish made with horse meat, Thang Den is a completely vegan dessert, made from glutinous rice flour, the filling can be made with beans or left plain. It is pretty similar to bánh trôi, and when enjoyed, you can taste the rich, creamy coconut milk, and a hint of spice from ginger. This is the perfect treat on a cold winter day.

Thang Den is best made from the famous fragrant, sticky Yen Minh glutinous rice. When eaten, the cakes are drizzled with a bit of Hoa Mai sugar syrup and sprinkled with roasted peanuts for a crunchy texture, making it an enticing snack at a low price of only 10,000 VND per bowl. Visitors to the Dong Van market can easily find and enjoy a warm, sweet, and fragrant bowl of Thang Den.

Source: Internet

Five-color sticky rice

Five-color sticky rice might be the most unforgettable vegan dish when you travel to Ha Giang. Five-color sticky rice is mainly made from fragrant and sticky glutinous rice. When eating, even though no additional seasonings are needed, you can also add muối vừng. For a long time, Five-color sticky rice has been a traditional dish of the Tày people living in Ha Giang. It is indispensable during ancestral worship ceremonies, Tet, and other holidays.

Each color is created using a special ingredient. Red rice is made from gac fruit, yellow rice is dyed using saffron water, green from ginger leaves, and purple from lá cẩm (magenta leaves), and white is the natural color of glutinous rice. All these ingredients combine to create this delicacy that is both visually enticing and delicious.

Source: Internet

Buckwheat cake

Mention Ha Giang and many people will immediately think of the famous Buckwheat Flower. After each buckwheat flower season, the locals would harvest the seeds to make yeast for wine and buckwheat cake. 

The cake has a light fragrance, a mildly sweet taste, and a soft, spongy texture. You can find these cakes almost anywhere at local markets. Besides the characteristic purple color, Buckwheat cake in Ha Giang also comes in white, yellow, and other colors. In autumn, you can stroll through the local markets in Ha Giang and find stacks of this spongey treat on a charcoal grill, along with some eggs and corn cobs. They make for a great afternoon snack, especially on a chilly day.

Source: Internet

Banh cuon trung (Egg rice rolls)

Compared to the famous Hanoi’s steamed rice rolls (Banh Cuon), egg rice rolls (bánh cuốn trứng) in Ha Giang are also remarkable and a great vegetarian alternative.

This dish is often considered a breakfast option. Instead of the regular dipping sauce, Banh cuon trung is served with a broth (although the broth isn’t vegan so you can consider it), sprinkled with a bit of fried shallots, and accompanied by fresh herbs. The rice rolls are prepared directly on the stove, with an egg cracked on top, and the white and yolk are wrapped in a delicate, thin layer of rice batter.

Source: Internet

Grilled moss

Few people would think that moss could be a food. However, in Ha Giang, there is a unique dish made entirely from green moss called Rêu Nướng, a traditional dish of the Tày ethnic group in Vietnam. The moss is harvested from streams and carefully processed to get rid of all the toxins, so you don’t have to worry.

After washing, the moss is torn, finely chopped, and seasoned with various ingredients: lemongrass, cilantro leaves, herbs, scallions, salt, and some MSG. The seasoned moss is then wrapped in Dong leaves and grilled over a charcoal fire.

This unique dish is not only safe to eat but nutritious, even. It helps improve blood circulation, detoxify, and cool the body.

Source: Internet

Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Ha Giang

There are also other options other than just rice and desserts. Here are some vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Ha Giang, note that most of them are in Ha Giang city or bigger districts like Meo Vac or Dong Van. If you’re staying in smaller towns, you can ask the owner of your homestays to prepare vegan dishes for you.

Huong Sen

Address: 60 Phung Hung, Tran Phu, Ha Giang, Vietnam
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Huong Sen has garnered positive reviews, for its diverse and delicious vegetarian and vegan menu. The menu features a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, such as vegan pho and fresh spring rolls. Prices are reasonable, and the restaurant's location is convenient for those exploring the city.

Hao Tea House

Address: 15, Lane 26, Le Van Tam, Ha Giang, Vietnam
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

The restaurant is part of a homestay, offering different food and vegan Vietnamese dishes, including fried rice, sticky rice, noodles, soups, juices, and seasonal fruits.

Blue Sky

Address: 98 Ly Tu Trong, Minh Khai, Ha Giang, Vietnam
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Blue Sky offers a delightful array of dishes that cater to different tastes. Popular dishes include tofu in tomato sauce, spring rolls, and noodle dishes. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable.

Caffe Yen Ngoc

Address: TT. Tam Son, Quan Ba, Ha Giang, Vietnam

Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Caffe Yen Ngoc offers both non-vegan and vegan options, including fried rice, fried noodles, stir-fried veggies, and tofu. The portions are generous, and the dishes are well-flavored. The must-try vegan dishes are tofu with tomato sauce, fried noodles, and mango smoothies.

Quynh Nhu

Address: Du Gia, Yen Minh, Ha Giang, Vietnam

Opening Hours: Closed on Saturday, 12:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Offers both vegan and non-vegan options, Vietnamese and Western dishes. You can specify not to add eggs or fish sauce when ordering.

Quyet Hang (Fast Food)

Address: QL4VC, TT. Meo Vac, Ha Giang, Vietnam

A great option on the Ha Giang Loop if you want a break from Vietnamese food, They offer vegan dishes, including pho, and vegan burgers.

You may be interested:

=> Where To Eat In Ha Giang City

=> Where Stay In Dong Van

=> Best Coffee Shops In Ha Giang