Local Dishes in Sapa - Thang Co (Horse Meat & Offal Soup)

Best Local Dishes in Sapa: 10 Must Try for Tourists

Sapa is in the northern mountains of Vietnam. It has a wide range of delicious local dishes that show off the area’s rich cultural tapestry. These ten local dishes in Sapa suggested by Asia Legend Travel below is the best food in Sapa that people should try when they visit. Sapa’s unique flavors come from the area’s beautiful natural surroundings and mix of different ethnic groups, as seen in the famous Thang Co hotpot and tasty grilled meals.

Best Local Dishes in Sapa: Thang Co (Horse Meat & Offal Soup)

Thang Co is a famous food in Sapa, Vietnam, that is known for its unusual and delicious flavor combination. The main components of this classic soup are horse meat and offal, which combine to provide a rich and flavorful stock.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Thang Co (Horse Meat & Offal Soup)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Thang Co (Horse Meat & Offal Soup)

The meal gets its delicious flavor from a combination of native herbs and spices. Thang Co is highly recommended for visitors to Sapa who are looking for a cultural and gastronomic experience that is representative of the area’s longstanding customs.

Lon Cap Nach (Free Range Pork / Carried-under-Arm Pig)

If you go to Sapa, Vietnam, you have to try Lon Cap Nach, a dish made with free-range pork or “carried-under-arm pig.” The traditional tastes and cooking skills of the area are shown off in this one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Lon Cap Nach (Free Range Pork, Carried-under-Arm Pig)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Lon Cap Nach (Free Range Pork, Carried-under-Arm Pig)

Free-range pigs are carried under the arm by locals and used to make Lon Cap Nach. This dish shows how culturally rich Sapa is and gives guests a taste of real Vietnamese food with a unique Sapa twist.

Lau Ca Tam, Ca Hoi (Salmon/Sturgeon Hotpot)

Sapa, a mountain town in northern Vietnam, serves up a mouthwatering variety of regional specialties to hungry visitors. Fresh fish or sturgeon in a hotpot—Lau Ca Tam, Ca Hoi—is one of the delightful local dishes in Sapa that you must try.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Lau Ca Tam, Ca Hoi (Salmon, Sturgeon Hotpot)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Lau Ca Tam, Ca Hoi (Salmon, Sturgeon Hotpot)

The delicious fish and savory broth in this meal showcase the region’s abundant aquatic resources. Indulge in this communal dining experience and sample the true flavors of Sapa’s food for a real taste of the region.

Xoi Ngu Sac (5-Colored Sticky Rice)

In Sapa, a beautiful town in northern Vietnam, you can try a lot of different local dishes. The 5-Colored Sticky Rice is one that guests simply have to try. Five different colors of sticky rice, each representing a different ingredient or taste, make this dish very colorful.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Xoi Ngu Sac (5-Colored Sticky Rice)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Xoi Ngu Sac (5-Colored Sticky Rice)

When served with sesame seeds, peanuts, or shredded coconut, Xoi Ngu Sac not only tastes great but also shows off the region’s rich culinary practices. If you’re in Sapa, don’t miss the chance to try this tasty and aesthetically pleasing local dish.

Thit Trau Gac Bep (Dried Buffalo Meat)

Dried buffalo meat, or “Thit Trau Gac Bep”, is a traditional food in Sapa you have to try. Herbs and spices are mixed with buffalo meat and then dried in the sun until perfectly done.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Thit Trau Gac Bep (Dried Buffalo Meat)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Thit Trau Gac Bep (Dried Buffalo Meat)

The end result is a tasty, chewy snack that tastes like Sapa’s traditional food. “Thit Trau Gac Bep” lets visitors experience some of the area’s special culinary and cultural customs.

Men Men

Men Men is one of the most popular local dishes in Sapa Vietnam, and guests should try it. A cooked corn cake made from glutinous rice and corn that has been ground very fine. The mix is then put inside corn husks and steamed until it’s done.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Men Men
Local Dishes in Sapa – Men Men

Men Men has a unique taste that is a little sweet and has a soft, sticky feel. People in Sapa often eat it as a snack or treat, which shows how the food tastes and is prepared in that area.

Ga Ac (Black Chicken)

One of the most iconic local dishes in Sapa is Ga Ac, often known as Black Chicken. The distinctive black-fleshed and skinned chicken breed, prized for its succulent and savory flesh, is the star of this specialty.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Ga Ac (Black Chicken)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Ga Ac (Black Chicken)

This meal exemplifies the many culinary traditions of the Hmong people and is typically made in their traditional form. Visitors visiting Sapa can enjoy the unique flavor of Ga Ac at a variety of local eateries, providing a genuine gastronomic experience that showcases the cultural richness of this beautiful alpine region.

Con Sui (Dry Pho)

Sapa, a highland town in Vietnam, is known for its delicious and unusual cuisine. An essential local delicacy is Con Sui, a dry-pasta variant of Pho. Rice noodles, a flavorful broth, and a variety of toppings, herbs, veggies, and meat make up this dish.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Con Sui (Dry Pho)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Con Sui (Dry Pho)

Travelers in search of authentic Sapa food should not miss Con Sui. This unique version that puts a delicious spin on the classic Pho can be found at many local restaurants in Sapa.

Banh Hat De (Sapa Chestnut Cake)

Sapa Chestnut Cake, or “Banh Hat De”, is a delicious local specialty that every tourist visiting Sapa should try. A distinctive flavor and texture are showcased by this cake, which is crafted using chestnut flour, sugar, and water.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Banh Hat De (Sapa Chestnut Cake)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Banh Hat De (Sapa Chestnut Cake)

It represents the local culture and is typically formed like little hats. Visitors can enjoy a delicious dessert that showcases Sapa’s rich culinary history thanks to the locals’ expert craftsmanship. Savor Banh Hat De and immerse yourself in the delectable tastes that characterize the cuisine of this gorgeous mountain hamlet.

Ruou Tao Meo (Meo Apple Cider)

Delicious regional specialties showcase Sapa, Vietnam’s diverse cultural heritage, and provide for a memorable dining experience. The one-of-a-kind Meo apple cider, Ruou Tao Meo, is a must-try specialty.

Local Dishes in Sapa - Ruou Tao Meo (Meo Apple Cider)
Local Dishes in Sapa – Ruou Tao Meo (Meo Apple Cider)

With its unique flavor that blends the sugary sweetness of Meo apples with a touch of alcohol, this traditional drink embodies the local landscape. This local drink gives visitors a taste of the real Sapa and is an essential part of any culinary exploration of the area of Sapa.


Visitors can indulge in a wide variety of mouth-watering regional specialties and local dishes in Sapa. Sapa’s delectable dishes highlight the diverse cultural heritage of the area, making it a culinary haven for those in search of genuine Vietnamese cuisine.


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