Hương Vị Xứ Thanh celebrates the culinary style of Thanh Hóa through typical dishes. Owner Lương Xuân Nguyên is so passionate about his food he specially sourced most of the ingredients from the province. Hoàng Linh reports.

It has been decades since my first visit to Thanh Hóa, but the local specialties have always stayed with me.

Across the central province, from the districts of Nga Sơn, Thọ Xuân, Tĩnh Gia, Hà Trung to Hậu Lộc, you can find unforgettable dishes such as “nem chua” (fermented pork), “bánh cuốn tôm” (shrimp rolled rice crepe), “chả tôm nướng” (grilled shrimp balls) and fish hotpot prepared in a unique style.

When Lương Xuân Nguyên, from Đông Sơn village, opened a restaurant chain named Hương Vị Xứ Thanh (The Taste of Thanh Hóa), I was sure I’d become a regular visitor.

The eatery celebrates the culinary style of Thanh Hóa through typical local dishes.

Nguyên is so cautious with his business that he buys 90 ingredients directly from Thanh Hóa to ensure his food tastes as authentic as possible.

The first restaurant in the chain is located on Trần Quốc Vượng Street in Cầu Giấy.

Though it is quite far from the city centre, the restaurant is spacious with a big yard and plenty of indoor seating.

The first dish I order is one of the most famous dishes of the region – the shrimp rolled rice crepe and grilled pork balls. Unlike the rolled rice crepe in Hà Nội which are filled with a mixture of ground pork, wood ear mushroom, and shallots, the rolled crepe of Thanh Hóa has fresh shrimp stuffing.

The shrimp is peeled, chopped and seasoned. These are then placed onto a wide sheet of steamed fermented rice batter and roll them around. This dish is not served with Vietnamese pork sausage or steamed eggs but grilled pork balls. The pork balls are made from minced pork, seasoning, and herbs, grilled on charcoal. The shrimp rolls and grilled pork balls should be eaten with sweet, sour, or chili sauce and some aromatic herbs.

You should also try another type of roll – the grilled shrimp rolls. It’s not very difficult to make the dish but fresh ingredients and patience are decisive factors for a successful serving.