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Thang Co Ha Giang: A Distinctive Specialty of the H’Mong Ethnic Minority Group

08:22 - 31/10/2024

5/5 - (1 vote)

Regarding Ha Giang’s gastronomic gems, Thang Co has particular affection in the hearts of many. This cuisine is an experience, a trip into the rich fabric of Vietnamese legacy. Let MOTOGO Tours dive deeper into what makes Thang Co a must-try dish when visiting Ha Giang.

Overview of Thang Co Ha Giang

When it comes to the culinary delights of Vietnam, Thang Co is one meal that is especially connected with the H’Mong people‘s culture and the spectacular mountainous areas of Ha Giang. Considered as a basic speciality of the surrounding ethnic communities, this filling provides guests with a window into the rich customs and way of life of the H’Mong people as well as the larger population in the vicinity.

Thang Co is a traditional staple that is very important in daily living in the areas of Sapa and Ha Giang, not only a meal. This dish started out originally a rustic delicacy mostly offered at local markets or during important village celebrations. But over time, it has attracted visitors and become known outside of northern Vietnam’s rugged borders. For everyone exploring the breathtaking mountains of the northeastern region of the nation, nowadays is regarded as a must-try delicacy.

Thang Co was traditionally made with horse meat, which gave it a unique taste that set it out. But given the growing difficulty of obtaining horse meat, which is considerably more costly, chefs have modified the recipe to call for beef or buffalo meat in modern kitchens. Fascinatingly, the traditional dialect phrase “Thang Co” means “bone soup,” therefore highlighting its initial nature as a broth-based meal. These days, this speciality is offered in several Ha Giang venues without much effort.

What Ingredients Are Needed for Thang Co?

Usually prepared from horse meat, Thang Co is made using the traditional recipe from the nearby towns. Many restaurants have started substituting more easily available choices like beef, buffalo, or even pork for horse meat given its rarity and great expense nowadays. Furthermore, the distinctive flavour of horse meat can be somewhat divisive, especially for those who are not familiar with it—especially those from lowland areas. This has encouraged the residents to modify the dish to appeal to a larger market.

How to Prepare Authentic Thang Co Ha Giang?

Though Thang Co is a speciality of the mountains, its cooking is really simple. Many people can try preparing it at home and then eat it with their families. The local ethnic groups start by sorting the meat cuts—more especially, the shoulder and the loin—to sell at the Ha Giang market following the abattoir procedure. Thoroughly cleaned to eliminate any undesirable smells, the remaining bits—trimmings, fat, bones, heart, liver, and lungs—are marinated with a range of spices.

These chosen bits then are stir-fried until the meat starts to firm up. Then water is added to make a broth, which cooked until the ingredients became soft. A couple bits of chopped and boiling horse blood pudding are placed in the bowl before serving. This classic meal is especially presented in a bowl set atop a big wooden plate. Usually seated on the floor, diners use a wooden ladle to enjoy the food.

The H’Mong usually prepare Thang Co in a big cast-iron pan at the larger markets, including in major districts. Many travellers’ experiences suggest that cooking Thang Co represents a social meeting, so fostering a feeling of love and delight.

Furthermore, the tastes of the H’Mong people guide the spices utilised in Thang Co. This produces a flavour character that captures the spirit of the rocky highlands. On the other hand, some individuals may be deterred by the slightly off-putting smell that freshly made food can have. Visually, the dish could not seem especially appealing given a subdued colour scheme that might turn off possible tasters.

A pot of Thang Co uses a variety of locally native spices. These comprise unusual H’Mong ingredients including cardamom, grilled lime leaves, ginger, lemongrass, cinnamon, star anise, native herbs. Generation after generation has passed on the ratios of these components, preserving their historical relevance now.

Thang Co Ha Giang: What Goes Well With It?

In Ha Giang, Thang Co is not only a major speciality but also a vivid component of the local cultural character. Following Ha Giang’s picturesque tourist attractions, you can savour Thang Co alongside roasted corn cakes or mèn mén, a classic steamed corn meal.

Thang Co captures the rich cultural legacy of the various ethnic groups, transcending just gastronomic delight of Ha Giang. Often eaten with mèn mén or roasted corn cakes, it gives guests an opportunity to live the way the H’Mong people do. Usually accompanying the dish is a drink of sweet corn wine, hence improving the tasting sensation.

Perfect complement to the crispy and aromatic texture of Thang Co, corn wine has a somewhat sweet and strong taste. Taken together, they produce a mouthwatering interaction of tastes that excites the palette. Thang Co is often enjoyed in Ha Giang with a distinctive dipping sauce created from a particular kind of chilli known as Mường Khương. Surprisingly, this well-known meal is already rich in taste hence more spice is not necessary.

Delicious Thang Co Restaurants in Ha Giang

Thang Co is a special dish that is often prepared during local markets, festivals, or traditional celebrations in Ha Giang. Local restaurants, street food vendors, and the Dong Van night market are among the most well-known places one may experience this cuisine. And to enhance your experience, you can choose guided tours like Ha Giang Loop Tours. They will provide a comprehensive overview of dielicious Thang Co restaurants here.

1. Dong Van Market

For the ethnic groups inhabiting the high mountainous areas of Vietnam, Dong Van market is considered as one of the most traditional and lively markets. Apart from food and household items, the Dong Van market acts as a focus for different commerce activities and cultural interactions. Visit the market to learn the customs and traditions of the local people every holiday, festival, or Sunday.

Every guest over the years has been permanently changed by the tastes of Thang Co at the Dong Van market. Some claim, “You haven’t really visited the Dong Van stone plateau until you’d tried Thang Co.” Generation after generation is carrying on this statement. Usually costing 20,000 to 200,000 VND, this dish lets guests investigate several booths in the market before making an eating decision.

Address: Ancient Town of Dong Van, Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province
Price: 20,000 – 200,000 VND per bowl
Operating Hours: Every Sunday

2. Au Viet Restaurant – A Luxurious Venue in Ha Giang

When visiting the grey stone plateau, Thang Co in Ha Giang is surely a must-try cuisine. Au Viet Restaurant is thus quite exact in its choice of ingredients and the cooking techniques for this speciality meal. Originally a basic and familiar meal for residents, Au Viet has modified the cuisine to fit the taste pallet of a larger audience, drawing thousands of guests annually.

Serving a range of freshly harvested forest veggies, Au Viet Restaurant also offers the opportunity to taste the well-known black chicken hot pot. The inherent sweetness from the flesh and juicy texture of the roasted pigeon entrée wow guests. These areas have helped the restaurant draw a lot of patrons, occasionally resulting in service delays from great demand.

Address: No. 45, Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province
Price: 50,000 – 300,000 VND per bowl
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

3. Moc Mien Restaurant

In third place, I’d like to introduce you to Moc Mien, which specializes in preparing authentic Thang Co. This restaurant values its varied and appealing menu. Here, without having to drive further, you may combine a range of unusual specialities all in one location. Still Thang Co from Ha Giang is the most often sought after meal among both domestic and foreign visitors.

Especially you should try the beef-made Thang Co, which has a transparent broth free of clouds. The restaurant makes great care to prepare the meal such that any bad smells are totally absent. This business was well-known historically for its famed “au tau” porridge, which was always packed with patrons in the centre of Dong Van. Usually between 100,000 and 300,000 VND for a mouthwatering pot of Thang Co fit for two to three persons.

Address: No. 140, Group 2, Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province
Price: 100,000 – 300,000 VND
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

4. Ha Giang Thang Co Restaurant – Ba Tu Lan

Ba Tu Lan Restaurant’s décor evoking mediaeval rural alleyways fascinates guests. Entering the restaurant thus seems friendly and familiar. Apart from the well-known specialities, various local goods for souvenirs are also readily accessible, allowing visitors to easily carry home munchies for friends and relatives returning from Ha Giang.

The Thang Co served here substitutes pork, buffalo, or beef instead of horse meat. Dong Van rice rolls and five-color sticky rice are yet equally appealing dishes. Discover tastes particular to Ha Giang that you won’t find anywhere else while seeing this area.

Address: No. 125, Group 3, Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province
Price: To be updated
Operating Hours: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

5. Tien Nhi Restaurant

Interestingly, the owners of Ba Tu Lan and Tien Nhi restaurants are sisters. Apart from providing Ha Giang’s specialities, Tien Nhi also has rice, pho, char siu pork, and dried pork to balance the dinner. The menu changes often since every ingredient is obtained daily from fresh sources.

Furthermore a popular food item among many guests is the two-compartment hot pot. Diners can easily enjoy black chicken hot pot and Thang Co at the same times. Along with these dishes are a range of fresh seasonal forest vegetables to guarantee guests never become tired.

Address: Opposite Dong Van Old Quarter, Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province
Price: 50,000 – 300,000 VND
Opening hours: 9:00 – 23:00

Thang Co is one of must-try specialties in Ha Giang. It showcases the beauty of the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups on the stone plateau. I hope this guide helps you explore and learn about the preparation and significance of this delicious dish. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey.

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