When visiting Sapa, travelers are often captivated by its misty mountains, colorful ethnic culture, and warm-hearted people. But beyond the breathtaking scenery, there’s another charm that wins every traveler’s heart — Sapa’s traditional cuisine.
Among the many ways to experience it, few are as delightful and impressive as the “Mẹt” style — the bamboo tray feast.
🌾 What Is a “Mẹt”?
A Mẹt is a traditional round bamboo tray commonly used in Vietnamese households. In recent years, Sapa restaurants have revived it as a beautiful and practical way to serve local specialties — arranging multiple dishes on one large tray, each placed neatly in a section lined with fresh banana leaves.
It’s not just convenient — it’s a feast for the eyes. A bamboo tray brimming with colorful mountain dishes instantly creates a feeling of abundance, warmth, and sharing — perfect for friends and families dining together.
🐖 “Lợn Mẹt” – The Sapa Black Pig Feast (Bamboo Tray of Mountain Pork)
One of the most famous versions of the bamboo tray meal is Lợn Mẹt, featuring the local black pig, also called “lợn cắp nách” or “lợn mán”.
These small, free-range pigs weigh only 7–10 kg and are raised naturally in the mountains, giving their meat a firm texture and rich, sweet flavor. This makes them a prized ingredient in many highland dishes.
A Pork Bamboo Tray usually includes several signature preparations:
- Grilled pork over charcoal – smoky, juicy, and aromatic with lemongrass and galangal.
- Roasted pork with honey leaves (lá mắc mật) – crispy skin, tender meat, bursting with aroma.
- Stir-fried pork with herbs or braised pork in wine sauce (rựa mận).
- Steamed pork with mountain herbs.
- Served with sticky rice (xôi nếp nương) or noodles, seasonal vegetables, and bamboo shoot soup.
Every piece of Sapa pork is full of flavor — golden on the outside, juicy inside, fragrant but not greasy. The meat’s natural sweetness and crisp skin make each bite unforgettable.
It’s not just a meal; it’s a true experience of the highlands.
🐓 “Gà Mẹt” – The Bamboo Tray of Sapa Chicken
If pork isn’t your favorite, try Gà Mẹt — a bamboo tray showcasing multiple chicken dishes in one colorful, delicious spread.
When the tray arrives, it’s a feast for all the senses: a green banana leaf base, surrounded by golden grilled chicken, crispy spring rolls, fragrant sticky rice, and fresh local vegetables — all beautifully arranged on the rustic bamboo tray.
A Chicken Bamboo Tray typically features:
- Charcoal-grilled chicken: marinated with mountain spices, tender inside, slightly smoky outside — best enjoyed with sticky rice and a pinch of salt-and-lime dip.
- Crispy chicken spring rolls: bite-sized rolls with minced chicken filling, golden and crunchy, best eaten hot with sweet-sour dipping sauce.
- Chicken salad with roasted rice powder: made with chicken thighs and crunchy cartilage, mixed with herbs and lime — a perfect snack to enjoy between courses.
- Steamed chicken, salted chicken, and boiled mountain vegetables complete the set, creating a balance of textures and flavors.
Every element of Gà Mẹt reflects care, creativity, and a deep connection to Sapa’s culinary traditions.
It’s a meal meant for sharing — hearty, rustic, and full of warmth.
🏔️ A True Taste of the Highlands
Dining on a Mẹt bamboo tray isn’t just about food — it’s about experience.
Imagine sitting in a cozy mountain-style restaurant, surrounded by wooden decor and the gentle warmth of a fireplace, gazing out at the panoramic view of Sapa town wrapped in clouds.
The aroma of grilled meat and local herbs fills the air — every bite is a memory of Sapa itself.
📍 Visit Us
Sapa Cuisine Restaurant
📍 Address: 11 Hoàng Diệu Street, Sapa Town, Lào Cai, Vietnam
📞 Hotline: +84 0964 267 569
📧 Email: cuisinesapa@gmail.com
🌐 Website: www.SapaCuisine.com
Come and share a bamboo tray of highland flavors — where every dish tells the story of Sapa’s mountains, people, and traditions.