Cuisine Archives | Page 4 of 4 | Văn Hóa Miền Tây

Coconut leaf cake – a childhood memory transformed into a specialty.

[vanhoamientay.com] Coconut leaf cake – a piece of sticky rice, rich and fragrant with coconut milk, nestled in a coconut leaf rolled up like a spring – has become deeply ingrained in the childhood memories of children in the Southwestern region of Vietnam. Over the years, this childhood treat has become a regional specialty. “Please...

Long Xuyen broken rice: A familiar yet unique dish of An Giang cuisine.

Long Xuyen broken rice is one of the culinary highlights of An Giang, familiar to the people of the Mekong Delta yet intriguing to tourists for its meticulous attention to detail. More than just fragrant broken rice grains, this dish carries the story of rural life in the Mekong Delta across generations. This article will...

Sour fish soup with wild jasmine flowers – A delicious dish from the garden.

Sour fish soup with water hyacinth flowers

Grilled snakehead fish – a delicious dish from the countryside.

Từ một món ăn dân dã, cá lóc nướng trui đã trở thành món đặc sản mà người dân Nam Bộ đãi khách phương xa hay dùng trong cả những dịp lễ tết. Cá lóc ngon nhất là vào đầu mùa mưa, bụng đầy trứng; hoặc ra giêng cá trưởng thành, béo.

How to make lye water rice dumplings

Ash lye rice dumplings are a traditional dish for the Dragon Boat Festival in Southern Vietnam. Nowadays, ash lye rice dumplings also appear at festivals, holidays, and ancestral commemoration ceremonies.

A delicious and unique dish made from termite mushrooms.

Termite mushrooms are a natural delicacy gifted by nature to humans. Growing wild in nature, they are clean, non-toxic, highly aromatic, delicious, and nutritious. Stir-fried termite mushrooms with angled loofah is easy to prepare and has a naturally sweet, appetizing taste. Hot termite mushroom porridge is perfect for rainy afternoons. Stir-fried termite mushrooms with angled...

Can Tho-style coconut milk rice noodle dessert

can tho Some dishes that seem very “rustic” have become unique and hard-to-find delicacies in the city. Bánh lọt with coconut milk is a snack that Western Culture would like to mention… On a hot sunny day, enjoying a glass of bánh lọt with coconut milk is simply unbeatable. There are 2 types of bánh lọt that...

How to make grilled okra stuffed with snakehead fish.

Snakehead fish is a freshwater fish with firm, chewy flesh that can be prepared into many delicious dishes such as: fried or steamed snakehead fish patties, stuffed with bitter melon, deep-fried until crispy... Grilled okra stuffed with snakehead fish is a very easy dish to make but very tasty.

Rich and flavorful fish noodle soup from Kien Giang.

kien giang Kien Giang is not only famous for its landmark known as the "pearl of the East Sea," but when you visit Kien Giang, don't forget to enjoy its local specialties. Kien Giang fish noodle soup is one of the dishes that has contributed to the region's reputation.

A unique and delicious dish: sour eel soup with ant eggs.

Các món ăn từ lươn đã trở nên khá quen thuộc với những người con của vùng Nam Bộ, tuy nhiên canh chua lươn nấu trứng kiến còn lạ lẫm với nhiều người.

Bee pupa porridge, rich in rustic flavors.

Bee pupa porridge cooked with coconut milk is considered the best; the rich, sweet flavor of the bee pupae, combined with the creamy richness of the coconut milk, is unlike anything else in the world, and sometimes even money can't buy it.

Phu Quoc’s specialty Tram mushrooms

While the Mekong Delta is known for its termite mushrooms, Phu Quoc is famous for its Tram mushrooms. Tram mushrooms, found on Phu Quoc Island, are just as delicious as straw mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, or oyster mushrooms.

Relive your childhood with this banana and coconut dessert.

Nếu bây giờ, ai đó chưa từng ăn, chưa từng nghe qua thì sẽ cảm thấy lạ với cái tên này, vì cái tên nghe sao lạ lạ, ngộ ngộ. Thực ra, cái tên gọi cũng chính là cách làm món ăn này đấy, “chuối quết dừa” chỉ là chuối đem đi quết với dừa, nghe mà sao thân quen quá.

Braised snakehead fish in a clay pot, a rich and flavorful dish from the Mekong Delta.

Despite having quite a few bones, snakehead fish is famous for its rich, fragrant, firm, and delicious flavor. If you have the chance, you should try braised snakehead fish in a clay pot, a dish considered a unique specialty of the Southwestern region of Vietnam.

Ha Tien stir-fried rice noodles

While savory rice noodle desserts like those with coconut milk are quite familiar to people in Saigon, stir-fried rice noodle dessert is still relatively unknown. Originating from Cambodia, stir-fried rice noodle dessert was introduced to Ha Tien and has become a local specialty.

Soc Trang noodle soup

soc trang Soc Trang's noodle soup has some differences compared to some neighboring localities in the region. A more elaborate bowl might contain a variety of ingredients: snakehead fish, silver shrimp, roasted pork, etc., while a simpler version might only require a medium-sized snakehead fish to make a pot of broth.

Famous types of fish sauce in Vietnam

Vietnam is not only famous for its abundance of fish species, but its various types of fermented fish paste also contribute to the distinctive flavor of our cuisine. Each region has its own type of fermented fish paste, such as shrimp paste, fish paste, crab paste, and prawn paste, etc. Remember to try them as you travel through these regions!

Boiled vegetables with dipping sauce evoke childhood memories.

Some rustic dishes, once thought to be found only in the countryside and rice paddies, have now appeared on restaurant tables and become attractive dishes that entice many people to enjoy. Boiled vegetables with braised pork belly is one such dish.

Go to the Mekong Delta to eat grilled field rat with salt and chili.

When the rice fields are left with only stubble, the field mice are full of rice, fat, and have firm meat. During this season, if you travel to the Mekong Delta, you'll easily see many farmers selling field mice. Grilled field mouse with salt and chili is a prominent dish among the Mekong Delta's specialties, often prepared by locals after the harvest.

The bitterness of the durian salad

“Mấy cây Sầu Đâu Ngoại thường ra hái lá, Trộn gỏi đắng mà Nghe ngọt lạ bờ môi Giờ ngoại của tôi Chân run run tóc bạc lưng còng, Mấy cây Sầu Đâu đã già xơ xác lá, Ngoại vẫn kiếm tìm Xin cho được Sầu Đâu.” The image of neem leaves has become deeply...

Snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs from the Mekong Delta

Traveling along National Highway 1A towards the Mekong Delta, particularly through Tien Giang province, you'll find many eateries selling local specialties, including snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs.

Purple Leaf Sticky Rice Cake

can tho Purple sticky rice cake (Bánh tét lá cẩm) is a traditional Southern Vietnamese cake often made during Tet (Lunar New Year) or ancestral commemoration ceremonies. It's popular not only for its vibrant purple color but also for its distinctive flavor.

Grilled Catfish in Bamboo Tubes

Grilled snakehead fish in bamboo tubes is very popular in Vietnam due to its unique flavor, white flesh, and high nutritional value, especially the gallbladder which leaves an unforgettable taste.

Steamed snakehead fish with fermented rice paste.

can tho The Mekong Delta is a rich “reservoir” of freshwater fish. Among the freshwater species found in the Mekong Delta, snakehead fish is considered the most iconic local specialty. Steamed snakehead fish with fermented rice is a traditional dish of Can Tho—simple and rustic, yet irresistibly appealing. Ingredients: Fermented rice Shallots Scallions Served with: Boiled tiny...

The unique taste of the quince fruit from Tra Vinh

tra vinh The Southwestern region of Vietnam is famous for its fertile land and abundant fruits. Each area has its own specialty: Cai Be is known for its sweet tangerines, Vinh Kim for its blacksmith village star apples, while Tra Vinh is renowned for the quach fruit. If you are someone who loves nostalgia, who enjoys traveling...

Pate noodle soup in Ben Tre

Hủ tiếu pate is one of the four types of hủ tiếu especially loved by the people of the “coconut land.” The only difference in this dish lies in the three or four neatly arranged triangular slices of pate placed right on top of the bowl. People in Bến Tre love hủ tiếu more than...

When visiting Dong Thap, try Cao Lanh’s banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake).

đong thap Bánh xèo Cao Lãnh, Đồng Tháp is not only famous for its thin rice-flour batter poured into an aluminum pan and cooked over a wood fire, but above all, for its signature filling made with duck meat. A familiar dish in both regions Bánh xèo is a beloved dish across Central and Southern Vietnam, though...

Banh Khot – A dish with the rich flavors of the Mekong Delta.

Bánh khọt is a popular rice flour pancake in the Mekong Delta, a delicious and attractive dish loved by many. Bánh khọt is a long-standing dish found throughout the country; however, each region has its own way of making it, imbuing the cake with distinct local flavors. Bánh khọt is round, similar to “bánh bèo,”...

How to make chewy and sweet coconut jam for Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

Coconut jam (mứt dừa) is undeniably one of the most familiar treats in the South—so familiar that just mentioning its name instantly brings thoughts of Tết and that unforgettable flavor: the mild richness of coconut, the sweetness of sugar and condensed milk, and the delicate vanilla aroma. When talking about Tết sweets, no one can...

Grilled mudskipper fish in reed tubes

Grilled mudskipper fish in reed tubes is highly favored in Vietnam for its distinctive flavor, firm white flesh, and high nutritional value—especially the bile, which leaves an unforgettable taste. Mudskipper fish, also known as goby mudskippers, live in brackish, alluvial environments. They are commonly found in the Mekong Delta, particularly in ponds, lakes, and brackish...

Grilled Snails with Green Pepper

can tho This is a rustic specialty dish of Can Tho – a land in the Southwestern region of Vietnam, made from easy-to-find ingredients with simple preparation. It gives diners a feeling that is both novel and comforting, easy to digest, and especially suitable for friendly weekend “cheers” among close friends. It may sound simple, but to...

Rich and Flavorful Fermented Tofu Duck Hotpot

Duck cooked with fermented bean curd (vịt nấu chao) is no longer an unfamiliar dish to many people in the Mekong Delta. Its appeal has made it a favorite. For Mekong Delta people, duck dishes are generally more preferred than chicken, unlike in the North or Central regions. From there, people have created many delicious...

The Rich, Authentic Taste of Thịt Kho Tàu for Tet

Thit kho tau (Caramelized Pork and Eggs) has become one of the indispensable dishes in the Lunar New Year meals of people in the Mekong Delta in particular and the Southern region in general. It seems to have become a tradition that as Tet approaches, Southerners prepare thit kho tau for the holiday as an...

Sweet and delicious Ben Tre coconut candy

ben tre In the past, coconut candy was considered a gift for neighbors during memorial days and traditional holidays. Later, thanks to its mild sweetness, rich flavor, and distinctive creamy aroma, in 1999 this Mỏ Cày coconut candy was officially branded as “Bến Tre Coconut Candy” and exported to many countries around the world. Today, international visitors...

How to Cook Rich and Creamy Duck with Fermented Tofu

Duck is a nutritious dish that can be prepared in many ways such as grilling, boiling, frying, stir-frying, roasting, salad, porridge, blood pudding, etc. The method for cooking duck with fermented bean curd (chao) is very simple. This delicious dish stands out thanks to the fragrant flavors of duck and chao blending together, creating a...

How to cook braised pork belly

Braised pork belly can be eaten with many things such as white rice, pickled onions, pickled bean sprouts, but perhaps most commonly it’s served with pickled mustard greens. The salty, sweet, and rich flavors of the braised pork belly combine with the sour and slightly spicy taste of the pickled mustard greens, creating an unexpectedly...

How to make grilled snails with green peppercorns

The method for making grilled snails with green peppercorns is quite simple. This is a unique and appealing dish because of the crunchy texture of the snails combined with the spicy, pungent flavor of the green peppercorns, and the tingling sensation on the tongue that makes anyone want to try it. Ingredients 200 g green...

How to cook Soc Trang noodle soup

soc trang The special feature of Soc Trang’s “nước lèo” (broth) is that it is not cloudy but crystal clear, thanks to a rather unique recipe. The method for cooking this noodle soup is not difficult; its deliciousness comes from the salty and fragrant aroma of “mắm bồ hóc” (prohok), the sweet and firm texture of fresh...

Southern-style sour fish soup with snakehead fish.

Sour snakehead fish soup is a dish that has made the culinary hallmark of the Southern Vietnamese people thanks to its distinctive characteristics. It can be said that a proper Southern-style sour snakehead fish soup must feature both the sourness of pineapple and tamarind as well as the natural sweetness of snakehead fish. It should...

Grilled beef on a tile in My Xuyen

soc trang Originally, people used curved terracotta roof tiles to grill beef. Later, the tile was replaced by a thick stainless steel sheet resembling a shovel for digging soil, which is why some people still call this dish “bò nướng xẻng” (shovel-grilled beef). For a long time, locals here have raised cattle for plowing and beef has...

My Tho noodle soup is famous throughout the region.

tien giang My Tho noodle soup (Hu tieu My Tho) is a dish famous throughout the region for the unique characteristics it offers. At first glance, My Tho noodle soup looks similar to other types of noodle soup, but only when tasting it can you fully appreciate its distinct identity. My Tho is the city of Tien...

Visiting the Land of Bac Lieu’s “Young Master” to Enjoy Banh Tam Bi

bac lieu Besides the famous radish cake, bánh tằm bì is a dish that visitors should not miss when coming to the land of the “Prince of Bạc Liêu.” Start a day of exploring Bạc Liêu with the unique and intriguing bánh tằm bì of the local people. This is a rustic dish, so you can enjoy...

Radish cake, a taste of the countryside in the city.

bac lieu The distinctive slightly pungent taste of radish blended with the rich flavor of shrimp and pork filling brings a unique and delicious sensation to radish cakes. Radish cakes may still sound unfamiliar to many people in Saigon, but for those from Bạc Liêu — the land famous for the story of the wealthy young man...

My Tho noodle soup restaurant

tien giang If you ever travel to the West and pass through Tien Giang, be sure to stop by My Tho for some noodle soup. My Tho noodle soup (Hu tieu My Tho) is the finest specialty of the region. What creates the unique flavor that has made My Tho noodle soup famous since the 1960s is...

Roasted field mouse in a clay pot, Dong Thap

đong thap Those plump field rats, fattened on ripe golden rice, have deliciously aromatic meat, but not everyone dares to try it at first glance. However, once you taste it, you’ll surely change your mind right away. Throughout the Southern region during the flood season, field rat dishes are everywhere inviting diners. Besides the familiar smoked field...

3 romantic cafes in Saigon

Romantic cafés such as Country House, Story M, and Sorrento are ideal choices for a surprise date with your loved one. If you ever find yourself on Phan Van Tri Street (Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City), it is hard to miss Country House, a café featuring Western-style architecture. Stepping through the small gate...

Young snakehead fish during the flood season.

đong thap As is customary each year, around the full moon of the seventh lunar month, when floodwaters from the upper reaches of the Mekong River surge downstream, water levels rise rapidly in the upstream districts of the Đồng Tháp Mười and the Long Xuyên Quadrangle. This is also when people living along the upper Mekong Delta...

Southern Vietnamese cuisine served at a 5-star banquet.

Without elaborate cooking techniques and using simple ingredients, the appeal of Southern Vietnamese cuisine is strong enough to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it for the first time. Coconut heart salad is one of the signature dishes of the Mekong Delta. The coconut heart is the tender, snow-white inner core at the...

Sweet rice rolls from the Mekong Delta, both familiar and unique.

If you are a true native of the Mekong Delta, you will certainly know about sweet rice rolls, also known as sweet “wet” cake (banh uot ngot). In the past, you could easily find this cake sold throughout the Western region, but today, it has become quite rare. The name “sweet wet cake” alone suggests...

Soc Trang rice cake

soc trang When people mention Sóc Trăng, they don’t just think of bánh pía but also another highly appealing dish: Sóc Trăng bánh cống (fried rice cake with toppings). Each locality may have slight variations in preparation. However, to enjoy the most delicious bánh cống in Sóc Trăng, food lovers must head to the roadside market along...

Grilled bananas with scallion oil – a rustic dish

For those born in the 1980s and 1990s in the Mekong Delta, the sweet taste of grilled bananas combined with the rich, fragrant savoriness of scallion oil is surely unforgettable. Saigon may have everything, yet it somehow lacks that subtle salty note found in grilled bananas with scallion oil.Grilled xiêm bananas brushed with scallion oil...

How to make sweet and savory silkworm cocoon-shaped rice noodles with pork skin.

bac lieu Perhaps because the rice flour strands are hand-rolled and boiled until they resemble silkworms, and eaten together with shredded pork skin, the dish is called bánh tằm bì. Those who try this dish for the first time are often surprised because it is both savory and sweet at the same time—sweet from the coconut milk...

Western-style Vietnamese savory pancake (Bánh xèo)

Mekong Delta bánh xèo is a very famous folk dish. Its rich yet rustic flavor leaves a lasting impression that diners can hardly forget. The name “bánh xèo” comes from the sizzling “xèo” sound made when the batter is poured into the hot pan. This pancake has a distinctive delicious taste and embodies the characteristics...

The dried fish dish, “Long-legged Dancer,” is so addictive!

an giang The Bay Nui region of An Giang is not only famous for its annual buffalo fighting festival, but now this land is also becoming better known for a unique type of dried specialty: the “long-legged dancer” dried frog. “Long-legged dancer” is the elegant name for dried rice field frogs. The village that produces these dried...

Stir-fried le le with winter melon – A simple yet sophisticated dish

an giang Le le meat is considered a delicious and highly nourishing dish, and stir-fried le le with winter melon is regarded as the main course in a meal. The dipping sauce must strike a perfect balance of sour, spicy, and sweet. Just try it once, and you’ll never forget this rustic yet elegant delicacy… According to...

Change things up this weekend with Chau Doc fish noodle soup

an giang The soft, naturally sweet fish meat, combined with the broth’s distinctive golden color from turmeric and its rich, savory flavor, are the signature characteristics of Chau Doc fish noodle soup. Fish noodle soup has long been a familiar dish for people in the Mekong Delta. Variations can be found such as Soc Trang fish noodle...

Pickled mustard greens – a rustic dish that feels no rustic.

vinh long As the eighth lunar month arrives, young linh fish and young gourami fish begin to flow downstream from the upper reaches. A simple evening meal with lightly braised fish would be incomplete without a side of pickled mustard greens—just thinking about pickled mustard greens dipped in lightly braised fish already makes one crave it. Almost...

The signature dish is frog fried in straw.

The cool weekend weather is perfect for enjoying delicious frog dishes together. And “Ech chien rom” (Fried frog with straw), also known as “Ech leo rao” (Frog climbing the fence) or “Ech nup lum” (Frog hiding in the bush), is a dish loved by many. If you are eating this dish for the first time,...

The savory steamed rice cake (banh duc man) of Can Tho

can tho As residents of the delta, surely no one is unfamiliar with the savory steamed rice cake (banh duc man) of Can Tho. The fragrant cake batter combined with the richness of coconut milk and the saltiness of shrimp and meat makes the dish strangely delicious. Banh duc is often known as a signature dish of...

Sour soup with Sesbania flowers and freshwater perch

Every year, when the chướng wind whispers back to the riverbanks of the Mekong Delta, that’s when the sesbania flowers bloom golden across the water surface. And sour soup with sesbania flowers and wild climbing perch is a simple yet uniquely delicious dish that you simply can’t miss. The Mekong Delta has an intricate network...

10 delicious dishes from the hometown of the wealthy young man of Bac Lieu.

bac lieu If you ever have the chance to visit the hometown of the famous Bac Lieu playboy—a vast and beautiful riverine land—don’t miss out on these local delicacies such as bánh tằm, spicy beef noodle soup, or fermented fish hotpot. Bac Lieu is not only famous for the legendary playboy who famously burned money to impress...

Delicious and unique coconut heart salad

ben tre Coconut heart salad has a perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour taste that suits the whole family. It is a nutritious food that is good for your health. Coconut heart is often prepared into light, refreshing dishes because it is low in fat. Ben Tre is known as a coconut paradise—wherever you go, you will see rows of...

Braised glass catfish with lemongrass, a unique dish from the Mekong Delta.

can tho In the past, suckermouth catfish was little known to the public, but nowadays people in the Mekong Delta have become quite fond of this fish. Suckermouth catfish (also known as pleco, algae eater), scientifically named Hypostomus punctatus, is a freshwater fish originating from South America. It was imported by ornamental fish enthusiasts from Hong Kong...

Remember the young jackfruit stewed with sarsaparilla?

vinh long Jackfruit is a fruit tree widely grown throughout our country. Both ripe and young jackfruit can be processed into many delicious dishes. The tasty dishes prepared from jackfruit are also very easy to make, including young jackfruit braised with sarsaparilla and coconut water, which is delicious when eaten with hot rice—a rustic yet flavorful and...

A unique and delicious dish: sour fish soup with vinegar fruit.

can tho The characteristic refreshing sourness of roselle fruit creates a very unique and intriguing flavor for the familiar snakehead fish sour soup (canh chua cá lóc). The roselle plant, also known as bụp giấm or cẩm thanh, is a wild herbaceous plant growing abundantly throughout the Mekong Delta. Roselle is an annual herb reaching about 1.5–2...

Boiled Đọt choại, a dish that evokes memories.

can tho Shoots of the choại fern can be considered a dish deeply imbued with the pioneering spirit of our ancestors during the early days of land reclamation. This clean vegetable has a distinctive aroma, a mild natural sweetness, and a slightly mucilaginous texture./ Hearing the two words “đọt choại” (also called chại or chạy), memories suddenly...

Clam season, the sweet taste of the river in my hometown.

In the Mekong Delta region, when the flood season recedes, young clams appear beneath the riverbeds and canals. By around February, the clams grow larger, and this is also the time when hardworking people of the Western region enter the clam-harvesting season.Mention clams, and people often think of Central Vietnam clams—tiny ones no bigger than...

Visit Ba Dong, Tra Vinh to enjoy Chu U

tra vinh If you ever have a chance to visit Trà Vinh, especially Ba Động — a coastal area blessed with abundant natural beauty — don’t forget to enjoy dishes made from a local crustacean known in folk language as “chù ụ.” The name “chù ụ” likely comes from its somewhat clumsy appearance, with a grumpy-looking face....

Delicious and unique: Bun Suong, Tra Vinh

tra vinh Anyone visiting Tra Vinh will have the chance to enjoy a rustic noodle dish – Bun Suong, one of Vietnam’s 10 famous specialty dishes that achieved Asian culinary value. Bun Suong is also known as Bun Duong; this noodle soup originates from Tra Vinh. “Suong” is a type of shrimp sausage (called shrimp suong); some...

Bun Suong stalls in Saigon

In Saigon, you can enjoy this specialty dish from Trà Vinh province at the bún suông restaurant at 130 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street – District 3, or at the bún suông stall inside Bến Thành Market (sold in the morning). If you want to try bún suông at a long-standing restaurant in Saigon, head to...

The unique story of wild rice in Dong Thap Muoi.

đong thap Wild rice, also known as sky rice, thrives and multiplies strongly during the flood season. The people of the Thap Muoi region consider it a precious gift of nature in this harsh flooded land. As a naturally growing wild rice variety that requires no cultivation, people call it “sky rice.” Locals say wild rice is...