The “number one spice of the Northwest” is the mac khen seed, considered a type of wild pepper of the ethnic minorities in the mountains. Mac khen belongs to the anise family, has essential oils and aroma, making it an indispensable rich spice in the meals of the ethnic minorities in the Northwest. Dried mac khen seeds must be roasted until golden, cooled and ground into a fine powder before being used. Mac khen is often used as a dipping sauce with sticky rice but is most suitable for marinating grilled dishes. If you have ever enjoyed grilled dishes marinated with mac khen such as pa pinh top, grilled pork, you will definitely not be able to forget the very characteristic spicy and fragrant flavor of this spice.
Cham cheo (or cham cheo) is also a delicious traditional condiment, bearing the typical characteristics of this place. Cham cheo is a familiar dipping sauce in Thai people's meals, prepared quite simply from the following ingredients: salt, garlic, chili, herbs and an indispensable spice: mac khen. Cham cheo with the aroma of crushed herbs, the spicy taste of grilled chili and the pungent smell of garlic combined with the characteristic taste of mac khen will bring a strange feeling that no other dipping sauce has. Any dish when dipped with cham cheo becomes more attractive than ever. From boiled wild boar, boiled wild bamboo shoots to sour fruits such as mango, jujube, peach... when eaten with cham cheo, all become attractive and hard to refuse.
Besides mac khen and cham cheo, other spices such as mac mat seeds, doi seeds or famous dishes: smoked meat, thang co, men men, bamboo rice... also contribute to conveying the culinary culture of this mountainous region.
The journey to the highlands becomes even more interesting when visitors can admire the "famous" terraced fields wearing a shiny coat, standing out in the autumn sunlight. Each layer of rice is like waves undulating in the wind, stretching from the valley to the high hillsides, blending with the clouds and mountains to create a beautiful scene all over the East - Northwest route. In the vast space, the peaceful houses nestled among the golden rice fields, the cheerful laughter of children, the charming smiles of highland girls make visitors linger, not wanting to leave.
Contact: FIDITOUR – Head office: 129 Nguyen Hue, District 1, HCMC – Tel: (08) 39 141414 (Ext: 330,119) - Transaction office 2: 12D CMT8, District 1 – Tel: (08) 38 282282 – Website:www.fiditour.com
