Unique culinary delights of Bac Ninh: Pho with burnt liver.
For diners from other regions, "pho gan chay" (pho with burnt liver) is a rather unfamiliar name. But when visiting Bac Ninh , everyone will have to try this unique dish that has become a part of the rich culinary culture of the people of Kinh Bac.
Unlike traditional chicken or beef pho, Bac Ninh's charred liver pho uses pork offal as its main ingredient. The unique feature that makes this bowl of pho special and also intrigues diners is the charred liver.
Pho gan chay (pho with burnt liver) is a specialty dish in Bac Ninh. Photo: MyMy
Making stir-fried black liver pho isn't overly complicated, but it requires meticulous attention to detail from the selection and preparation of ingredients. According to Mr. Hoang Xuan Vinh, a owner of a stir-fried black liver pho restaurant, the pork offal, including liver and kidneys, is thoroughly cleaned after purchase to remove any unpleasant odor before being marinated.
The meat and kidneys are stir-fried with tomatoes to add richness to the pho. The liver is pan-fried until slightly charred, but the inside must remain cooked through, tender, and not dry. Fresh liver should be chosen for its deep red color, firm texture, and elasticity to ensure freshness and quality in this dish.
The broth for liver pho is simmered from beef bones for many hours using a special recipe. When a customer orders, the owner briefly heats the broth in a pan used for stir-frying the meat to add richness, but doesn't pour it directly onto the pho bowl.
Bac Ninh-style pho with burnt liver is usually served with fresh vegetables.
Bac Ninh-style pho with burnt liver is typically served with a variety of fresh vegetables such as chopped scallions, bean sprouts, and mint to enhance the dish's refreshing taste. The vegetables are not blanched; instead, they are mixed with a sauce made of vinegar, garlic, chili, and fish sauce.
A bowl of liver pho usually costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND. This dish is widely available in markets and casual eateries, making it easy for diners to enjoy. Additionally, when visiting Bac Ninh, you can also check out some famous places for this dish such as: Dap Cau burnt liver pho; Hien Tien burnt liver pho; Vinh Suong burnt liver pho…
What's so special about Pho with burnt liver milk tea?
Following the success of "pho gan chay" (a type of pho with burnt liver), a new drink named after this signature dish has recently become incredibly popular with diners: "pho gan chay" milk tea. Videos of this drink have garnered hundreds of thousands of views on platforms like Facebook and TikTok.
The "Phở Gan Cháy" milk tea is a delicate blend of brown rice milk tea and chewy, handcrafted rice flour jelly. The "liver cháy" part is actually a biscuit, recreating the characteristic image of a piece of burnt liver with a rich, slightly sweet flavor, a crispy outer layer, and a moist, tender interior.
According to the cafe owner's interview with the press, customers were initially confused and somewhat hesitant to try the name because they had never heard of a sweet drink being served with a savory dish. However, after tasting it, they found the tea wasn't difficult to drink at all; it had a unique flavor with a strong roasted rice taste. With its unusual name, the "burnt liver pho milk tea" has attracted many customers, mostly young people, to try it.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/sau-dac-san-pho-gan-chay-tra-sua-pho-gan-chay-bac-ninh-dang-hot-ran-ran-co-gi-dac-biet-172250317233154718.htm
