Among countless highland delicacies, cốn sủi pho at Cốn Sủi Ông Há stands out as a special culinary experience that any tourist who comes to Sa Pa should try.
Unlike familiar traditional pho, this dish carries a cultural intersection, along with a unique processing method that makes diners both curious and excited.
Crispy pho originated from Chinese cuisine, following the bustling trade flow of the border region, it gradually spread and became a specialty of Lao Cai.
The dish uses flat noodles, slightly like pho noodles, but instead of dipping in broth, it is eaten with thick, rich sauce.
A full bowl of cốn sủi usually has noodles, pork belly, boiled eggs, crispy fried potatoes and herbs - creating a harmony between many different flavors and textures.
At Ong Ha restaurant, fermented rice flakes are elevated by hand-processing. Soft noodles are pulled by hand, maintaining moderate chewiness, helping to evenly absorb the characteristic sauce. This sauce is often simmered for many hours with spices, creating consistency and deep flavor - the decisive factor in the soul of the dish.
The special feature that makes Ong Ha fermented pho stand out is the broth - made from gac fruit. This is a rare variation, creating eye-catching colors and a light, fatty, and mild aroma.
According to shares from the shop owner, gac has long been considered a "heavenly fruit" thanks to its health benefits such as supporting antioxidants, good for cardiovascular health, reducing cholesterol or supporting the treatment of anemia. This combination of traditional and creative ingredients has created a unique mark for the shop.
When enjoying, diners will clearly feel the difference: soft noodles combined with thick, rich gac sauce, the sweetness of char siu meat, the fatness of eggs, the crispness of french fries - all blend together to create a harmonious overall.
This is not an easy dish to "get into" from the first time, especially for those who are familiar with pho noodle soup, but it has its own appeal that makes many people want to try it again.
The restaurant space is located on Dien Bien Phu street, quite easy to find and convenient for tourists. The restaurant opens early in the morning, mainly serving breakfast and lunch, attracting a large number of local diners and tourists.
Many people choose to visit here to start a day of exploring Sa Pa with a hot, energy-rich dish.
A bowl of fermented pork roll at Mr. Ha's fermented pork roll shop costs 68,000 VND, but is considered to be of quality, full, and commensurate with the price.
Not only a dish, Mr. Ha's fermented pork roll also clearly reflects the cultural and culinary intersection of the border region. From a Chinese dish, over time and the creativity of the locals, it has become a specialty with a unique mark of Sa Pa.
In the chilly weather of the mountain town, a hot bowl of fermented pho not only helps warm the body but also brings a unique culinary experience. And perhaps, these dishes have contributed to the irresistible attraction of Sa Pa in the hearts of tourists.
