Western tourists rave about the “crispy-outside, soft-inside” specialty priced at just VND 5,000 in Tuyên Quang

Tuyen Quang’s Buckwheat Cake – Crispy Outside, Soft Inside at Just VND 5,000

Discover how this humble snack from Tuyen Quang wins over Western travellers with its unbeatable texture and budget-friendly price.

Nestled in the mountain highlands of northern Vietnam, the region around Tuyên Quang Province offers more than just dramatic landscapes — it’s also home to a distinctive culinary gem: the buckwheat cake (locally known as bánh tam giác mạch). Crafted from buckwheat seeds, this modest snack has captured the hearts of Western visitors for one reason above all: it’s crispy on the outside, soft and springy inside — and it costs only VND 5,000 (roughly USD 0.20).

During his visit, British traveller Dan Fandelli spotted a street-food stall at the pass of Dốc Thẩm Mã, where local artisans grill the cakes fresh over hot embers. The moment you bite in, you feel the warmth of the cake, the charred crisp exterior, and the tender, slightly chewy interior — all in one mouthful. He described it as “just amazing”.

The process begins with harvesting buckwheat plants grown in rocky highland soils. The seeds are sun-dried, finely milled into flour, mixed with water to the perfect consistency, shaped into 2–3 cm thick discs, steamed for 10 minutes, and then grilled over charcoal. Local artisan Lò Phúc explains that although the ingredients are simple, every step requires precision.

The flavour is mild — a gentle nuttiness with a hint of sweetness — but what makes it unforgettable is the texture and the atmosphere around it: steaming hot cakes served in the cool mountain air, charcoal smoke drifting through the roadside market. For many Western travellers, this tiny VND 5,000 snack becomes one of the most memorable highlights of their trip.

If you’re planning a trip to Tuyên Quang or exploring the nearby highland regions such as Hà Giang, be sure to add buckwheat cake to your food-travel checklist. Look for the street vendors grilling it fresh — that’s when it tastes best.