Go to Nghe An

Grilled chicken with tea leaves - a unique dish of the central region of Nghe An

Thanh Binh • August 8, 2025 15:43

In the middle of the green Thanh Chuong tea island, there is an extremely unique and novel dish that makes many diners linger: Grilled chicken with tea leaves. It is the distinct flavor between the familiar and the strange that makes this dish fully converge the culinary quintessence and the soul of Nghe An countryside.

Coming to Nghe An - a land of beautiful mountains and rivers, tourists will not forget the famous tourist destination: Cau Cau Tea Island, also known as Thanh Chuong Tea Island. This is a special tea island in the middle of the sea of water, clouds and sky, green and poetic, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign tourists to visit.

With the characteristic of endless green tea hills, the people here have taken advantage to create grilled chicken with tea leaves - a dish that is familiar but extremely unique and distinct.

Vào ngày thường, trung bình Đảo Chè đón khoảng trên dưới 200 khách tham quan. Ngày cuối tuần có vào khoảng 600-800 du khách và ngày lễ thì hàng nghìn người. — A corner of the tea island. Photo: Huy Thu

Unlike the usual grilled chicken dishes, the grilled chicken with tea leaves here has a very unique flavor. The main ingredient to make this dish is hill chicken - a type of chicken that is free-range, firm and delicious. But what makes the difference is the accompanying spices: lemongrass, chili, salt, mac khen and especially crushed green tea leaves picked from the vast tea hills here.

gen-h-BNA_ Gà nướng lá chè — Grilled chicken with tea leaves is delicious and attractive. Photo: Thanh Binh

Tea leaves not only help disinfect and remove the fishy smell from the chicken, but also help retain the moisture and natural sweetness of the chicken when grilled, at the same time, secreting a fragrance that penetrates deep into each fiber of the meat, making the dish more flavorful. After marinating with spices for about 30 minutes, use hot coals to slowly grill, turning evenly so that the chicken is cooked soft, juicy and golden brown.

The special thing about this dish is not only the way it is prepared, but also the experience of enjoying it. A delicious dish enjoyed in the middle of a green, peaceful mountain space, all creating an unforgettable experience.

Nowadays, grilled chicken with tea leaves is not only a dish of the local people but also a specialty that attracts tourists every time they visit. Many restaurants and homestays in the tea region have included this dish in their main menu, combined with eco-tourism experiences such as tea picking, boating, and visiting tea oases to spread the unique culinary culture of Nghe An.