Buzz
The land of coconuts, Ben Tre, is renowned for its lush coconut groves, stretching alongside meandering rivers and canals, offering a plethora of specialties that evoke nostalgia.
Coconut
Ben Tre is the land of coconuts, a paradise for coconut enthusiasts. Coconuts are extensively cultivated in Tam Phuoc commune, Chau Thanh district, Ben Tre province, particularly famous for its green xiêm coconuts.
Distinct from other coconut varieties, the xiêm coconut is small in size, with a refreshing green color. Its water is mildly sweet, appealing to various age groups, especially pregnant women. Coconut can be used directly as a refreshing beverage, while coconut flesh can be used to make various delicacies or smooth and crunchy coconut jelly, closely associated with the childhood memories of those born and raised on this land.
Coconut Candy
The sweet and nutty flavor of coconut blends perfectly with the chewiness of coconut candies, delighting countless individuals. While traditional coconut candies were solely flavored with coconut, nowadays, to cater to different tastes and preferences, coconut candies come in a variety of flavors such as durian, jackfruit, cocoa, cashew nuts, and more.
Despite various adaptations, Ben Tre coconut candies still retain their traditional flavor.
Coconut Worm
The coconut worm, essentially the larva of coconut beetles, plump and white, offers a delightful culinary experience when consumed raw, ideally paired with chili sauce. However, coconut worms also serve as a versatile ingredient for various dishes such as grilling, butter frying, steaming with sticky rice, presenting a unique and enticing flavor profile for adventurous diners.
Consuming insect-based dishes may evoke apprehension, yet dare to indulge in the exquisite coconut worm dish once, and you will undoubtedly be captivated.
Coconut Mouse
Mouse is one of the most 'exotic' dishes in Vietnam, and coconut mouse is the rustic specialty, most familiar to the people of the Coconut land. Unlike regular mice, coconut mice have sharp teeth to suck the sweetness from coconuts, so they are very fat and nutritious. In addition to common ways of enjoying such as grilling, cooking, or braising with coconut, steaming coconut mouse in a rice cooker is truly the choice of gourmet connoisseurs.
Stir-fried snails with coconut sauce
Stir-fried snails with coconut is not a very unfamiliar dish in every region of the country, but the special point of this Ben Tre specialty lies in the thick, white, creamy coconut sauce, mixed with the spicy taste of chili, the rich flavor of snails, all creating an unforgettable taste for tourists.
Braised fish in coconut water
Similar to stir-fried snails with coconut sauce, braised fish in coconut is prepared in clay pots, can be braised with straw or open fire, the scent of smoky straw blends with the faint coconut aroma when opening the clay pot truly enticing tourists.
Ben Tre is a land of winding rivers, intricate canals with abundant natural fish resources, carrying the taste of the rivers and streams along with the tender, coconut-flavored meat, the sweet flavor of the Mekong Delta land lingering.
Coconut wine
Coconut wine intoxicates the heart rather than making one drunk like other types of alcohol. Its rich, sweet, refreshing flavor is as authentic as the life of the people here.
Mashed bananas
The childhood memories of locals are intertwined with this peculiar yet beloved dish. Green bananas are usually chosen for grilling. When the peel turns yellow, they are placed in plastic bags, mashed flat, then grilled again until the banana flesh turns golden yellow, ready to be enjoyed with thickened coconut milk mixed with finely chopped scallions.
Mashed bananas are quite suitable for indulging on rainy days or chilly days, bringing warmth back to the hearts of people.
Sliced rice cake soup
Also known as rice cake soup, in Ben Tre it is often cooked with duck and served with ginger fish sauce. The rice cake soup is cut into small pieces, the broth is milky white, slightly sticky from the rice flour, reminding many of the northern porridge dish.
Rice pancake with snails
Rice pancake with snails is a typical snack of Ben Tre, especially on Phu Da islet, where there is a huge amount of rice snails. Rice snails are the substitute ingredient for shrimp, meat, vegetables; just a spoonful of rice snails with pickled vegetables, wrapped in leaves and you will fully enjoy the taste of Ben Tre.
Coconut rice
Sticky white rice combined with the sweet, creamy flavor of coconut milk will be an interesting experience imbued with the essence of Ben Tre.
Ben Tre is the land of coconuts, of nostalgic dishes made from coconut and lush gardens with a network of canals, monkey bridges, which will be a new and interesting destination in your travel journey.
