Hoa Lu Rare Goat Meat

Thanks to its mountainous terrain, a significant portion of Ninh Binh Province is an exceptional location for goat farming, making it renowned for its various goat meat dishes. In Ninh Binh, goats are raised on rocky mountains rather than the typical hills found in other provinces, which contributes to the distinct firmness, freshness, and exceptional flavor of the meat.

Goat meat is considered a healthy option as it is a type of red meat that is leaner and contains less cholesterol and fat compared to both lamb and beef.
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There is a variety of dishes made from goat meat, including stir-fried goat, steamed goat, grilled goat brisket, goat hotpot, and rare goat meat mixed with lemon. Each dish has its own unforgettable flavor, but the rare goat meat from Hoa Lu is often regarded as the most delicious. The preparation of this dish is quite intricate and requires a level of expertise. Due to the strong and distinctive odor usually associated with goat meat, it is essential for the cook to eliminate this smell prior to cooking. The meat is thoroughly washed and cut into thin slices, then marinated with holy basil and duckweed leaves for about ten minutes. Following this, the goat meat is briefly dipped in hot water until it reaches a rare state and is then mixed with various spices and condiments, including ginger, chili, lemon juice, lemongrass, and roasted sesame seeds.

Rare goat meat is typically served with unripe bananas, carambola, fig leaves, and soy sauce, accompanied by slices of ginger and Lai Thanh rice wine—a unique local alcohol distilled from sticky rice grown in the area. These ingredients and spices blend harmoniously to create a wonderful flavor that offers diners an intriguing experience, leaving a lasting impression.