Lang Son Roasted Pork Specialty: Unique Flavor from the Highlands

Lang Son is a province with a rich and diverse culinary culture, in which the most prominent dish is roasted pork with mac mat leaves. This is a traditional dish, bearing the typical characteristics of Lang Son. To learn about this roasted pork dish, we talked with Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Nhai (born in 1985) at her home in Vinh Trai ward, Lang Son city. With more than ten years of experience in the profession, Ms. Nhai is a representative of Lang Son province participating in many major culinary competitions such as the Cultural Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups, Nghe An, Hue Festival, contributing to promoting roasted pork with mac mat to friends everywhere.

Ms. Nhai said: "To have a delicious roasted pig, it must go through many stages. First is to choose the pig, which must have smooth, thick and long hair, weighing from 45 - 50 kg, usually carefully selected from districts such as Trang Dinh, Binh Gia, Bac Son. After choosing the pig, comes the stage of processing and marinating spices. Ingredients to put in the pig's belly include fresh mac mat leaves, mac mat fruit, salt, sugar. After stuffing the spices, the pig's belly will be sewn with thread so that the spices do not fall out. Lang Son roasted pig is roasted whole, and coloring the skin is the most important step. The roaster usually spreads honey and turns evenly until the skin is brown. The pig is roasted over hot coals for about 2-3 hours, depending on the heat of the fire and the weight of the pig."

Roasted pork is not only a popular daily dish but also a mandatory offering in festivals, weddings, and funerals, reflecting the culture of the ethnic groups in Lang Son. Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Association of Lang Son province, said: "As a province bordering China, Lang Son culture has an exchange, including cuisine, specifically roasted pork with mac mat leaves.

This dish has appeared in the lives of the people of Lang Son for hundreds of years, not only as a specialty but also as an offering on important holidays of the Tay and Nung people. Thanks to this unique feature, Lang Son roasted pig has affirmed its 'brand' in the hearts of people across the country."

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