Kien Giang Kiên Giang is not only famous for the destination known as the “Pearl of the East Sea,” but when visiting Kiên Giang, you should also not miss its local specialties. Kiên Giang fish noodle soup (Bún cá Kiên Giang) is one of the dishes that has contributed to the reputation of this land.

Although it is a humble, everyday dish, once tasted, diners are often taken from one surprise to another by the wonderful flavors this fish noodle soup offers. Bún cá Kiên Giang is made from plump snakehead fish caught in rivers and rice fields. Freshwater fish provides fragrant, firm, and naturally sweet flesh rather than soft or mushy meat. Therefore, choosing the fish is an extremely important step in creating a delicious bowl of noodles. The fish is cleaned and cut into three sections. The head must be handled carefully, skillfully separating it while keeping the entire set of internal organs intact. The stomach is cleaned thoroughly and washed with salt to remove any fishy smell, taking care not to break the gall bladder or liver. The fish is boiled until cooked, then the meat and bones are separated. The bones are crushed and placed into a mesh bag, then simmered together with small fish to extract the broth. Thanks to this process, the broth always has a naturally light and sweet flavor. A bowl of Kiên Giang fish noodle soup is also appealing thanks to the golden, fluffy fish roe spread on the surface. During seasons when fish roe is unavailable, it is replaced with a mixture of egg yolks and finely chopped fresh shrimp, beaten until fluffy and then steamed. A bowl of Kiên Giang fish noodle soup would be incomplete without freshwater shrimp such as mud shrimp or silver shrimp. The shrimp are washed, peeled, and deveined, then seasoned with a little salt, pepper, and garlic. Garlic is sautéed in oil until fragrant, the shrimp are added and simmered over low heat until they curl, turn golden, and release an enticing aroma. In the hands of an experienced cook, the broth achieves a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, creating an irresistible taste. The dish is not only visually appealing but also delicious. Simple and rustic as it may be, once you taste it, you will surely be captivated. When enjoying this dish, a plate of fresh herbs and a small bowl of pure chili fish sauce are indispensable. The lingering sweet and fragrant flavors from the ingredients will be hard to forget. “Whoever comes to Rạch Giá, Kiên Giang, Enjoys a bowl of fish noodles filled with human warmth.”