Delicious Lotus Dishes from Ninh Binh: What to Eat with the Elegant Flavor of Dong Sen?

Ninh Binh lotus is mainly the Japanese lotus variety grown in large ponds at Mua Cave, Trang An, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, and Kim Son. This lotus species has large flowers and leaves with an intense fragrance, ideal for scenting tea or wrapping food. The most remarkable point is that almost no part of the Ninh Binh lotus plant goes to waste:

• Lotus leaves: Lightly fragrant, used to wrap rice, sticky rice, or steam chicken.
• Lotus stems: Naturally crisp and sweet, rich in fiber.
• Lotus root: Mildly sweet, crisp, containing lots of vitamin C and potassium.
• Lotus seeds: Rich, nutty, and nutritious with protein, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Thanks to the ancient capital's soil and mild climate, Ninh Binh lotus has a distinctively refreshing flavor, different from other regions. Lotus seeds help calm the mind and improve sleep; lotus stems and roots support digestion, benefit cardiovascular health, and help control blood pressure. This is why the lotus has become a culinary symbol of Ninh Binh, with full "lotus feasts" featuring dishes made entirely from a lotus plant.

Among a wide array of lotus dishes, several items are consistently favored by both tourists and locals:

• Lotus stem salad (Gỏi ngó sen): Refreshing and crunchy.
• Lotus seed sweet soup with longan: Mildly sweet and nutritious.
• Lotus leaf wrapped rice/sticky rice: Fragrant with lotus aroma.
• Steamed chicken in lotus leaves: Tender meat, wonderfully aromatic.
• Lotus-scented tea: Premium and refined.

These dishes are not only delicious but also carry high health value, perfect as local specialties to bring home or enjoy on-site.

Desserts made from Ninh Binh lotus seeds always feature a nutty, rich taste with mild sweetness. The highlight is lotus seed and longan sweet soup – a perfect combination of rich lotus seeds and mildly sweet longan.

How to make lotus seed and longan sweet soup:

• Simmer 300g of fresh lotus seeds (green embryos removed) with 1 liter of water until soft.
• Add rock sugar to taste and soaked dried longan.
• You can stuff the lotus seeds into the longan flesh for a nice presentation.
• Enjoy hot or chilled.

In addition, there are lotus seed sweet soups with red dates, lotus seed jam, or dried lotus seeds – all nutritious, helping to calm nerves, improve sleep, and combat aging thanks to special enzymes in lotus seeds.

Ninh Binh lotus doesn't stop at sweet dishes; it also shines in savory creations:

• Lotus leaf wrapped rice/sticky rice: Cooked rice wrapped in large lotus leaves with lotus seeds and dried shrimp – wonderfully fragrant, soft, and rich.
• Steamed chicken in lotus leaves: Seasoned chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed, creating tender meat infused with elegant lotus flavor.
• Lotus root soup stewed with pork ribs/trotters: Mildly sweet from lotus root, highly nutritious for heart health.
• Stir-fried lotus stems with shrimp/beef: Crisp, sweet, rich in fiber and protein.

These dishes showcase the ingenuity of Ninh Binh locals: maximizing the lotus plant to create sophisticated rustic flavors while offering health benefits such as supporting digestion and enhancing blood circulation.

Ninh Binh is famous for fresh lotus dishes, especially the "lotus feast"—a set collection of dishes such as steamed chicken in lotus leaves, lotus stem salad, lotus sticky rice, or lotus-scented tea. Below is a list of reputable restaurants where you can savor these elegant flavors.

• Pho Xua Restaurant
  • Address: No. 10 Trang An Street, Tan Thanh Ward, Ninh Binh City
  • Description: Rustic bamboo village atmosphere, specializing in traditional lotus feasts like steamed chicken in lotus leaves and lotus stem salad. Suitable for families, close to the city center.
• Halise Home & Retreat (Homestay Restaurant)
  • Address: Thung Che Beo, Kha Luong Village, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
  • Description: Peaceful eco-resort ambiance serving creative lotus dishes like lotus stem salad with river shrimp. Highly favored by international travelers.
• Huong Sen Restaurant
  • Address: 39 Dinh Le Street (Trang An – Bai Dinh main axis), Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh
  • Description: Specializes in Vietnamese lotus dishes such as lotus root soup with ribs and lotus seed sweet soup. Affordable prices, beautiful river and mountain views, convenient for Trang An tours.
• Sen Restaurant
  • Address: 2 Tam Coc Road, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh
  • Description: Near Tam Coc, offering a diverse menu of fresh lotus dishes like lotus sticky rice and lotus tea. Modern space, highly rated by tourists. 
• Thung Sen Tam Coc Restaurant & Cafe
  • Address: Entrance road to Thai Vi Temple, Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh
  • Description: Stunning lotus pond views, specializing in rustic lotus feasts such as lotus-leaf chicken and lotus salad. Combined with glamping, ideal for sunset dinners.

After your sightseeing trip, you can choose to buy lotus-scented tea, fresh lotus seeds, or dried lotus seeds as gifts. Purchasing lotus products directly from reputable establishments in Ninh Binh not only helps you get better prices but also ensures quality, avoiding inferior products.

From quiet lotus ponds amidst the ancient capital, Ninh Binh lotus cuisine brings a light, pure, and truly distinct flavor. Every dish, whether rustic or intricate, preserves the inherent elegance of the lotus, reflecting the slow-paced lifestyle and appreciation for nature of the locals. During your journey exploring Ninh Binh, enjoying delicious lotus dishes is not just a taste experience, but also a way to feel the depth of culinary culture linked with seasons, landscapes, and people. It is this simplicity that makes the scent of Dong Sen lotus an unforgettable lingering taste in the hearts of visitors.