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Southern delicacies have become a special attraction for tourists with countless unique flavors. From flavorful dishes like sizzling pancakes, broken rice, crab noodle soup to traditional specialties like cylindrical glutinous rice cake, Lunar New Year preserves, Phu Quoc fish sauce,.... You will experience the distinctive and quintessential flavors of the South. If you're from the North or Central regions and plan to travel to the South, it's a good idea to learn about the unique specialties here in advance so you don't have to worry about choosing dishes or buying gifts. Below is a list of 25+ delicious Southern dishes that we want to introduce to you!
1. Delightful Southern Cuisine – Crazy Fish and Wild Flower Hotpot
The most famous Southern dish topping the list is the crazy fish and wild flower hotpot. Linh fish is a typical fish species found only in the Southern region, often abundant during the flood season. Besides, wild flowers are also a characteristic wildflower, growing along the riverside. The combination of these two ingredients, along with some spices, creates a delicious Southern specialty - crazy fish and wild flower hotpot.
Crazy Fish and Wild Flower Hotpot
This hotpot has a sweet and sour taste, with the fragrant aroma of fish combined with the slightly bitter and crunchy taste of wild flowers, surely evoking memorable moments for those who have had the opportunity to enjoy this dish at least once. A special culinary experience, the crazy fish and wild flower hotpot will enchant people with the wonderful harmony of unique natural ingredients in the South.
2. Fermented Fish Hotpot – Famous Southern Delicacy
When mentioning famous Southern dishes, one cannot overlook fermented fish hotpot. Snakehead fish and linh fish are the main ingredients that create the special flavor of this dish. With the combination of snakehead fish, pork bones, coconut water, and linh fish sauce along with some other ingredients. The broth of fermented fish hotpot not only brings a sweet and refreshing taste but also has a characteristic strong aroma. The accompanying vegetables in fermented fish hotpot are also special natural vegetables from the riverine area. Such as bitter vegetables, water mimosa, water morning glory, wild flowers, water spinach, and water lily buds,... These vegetables together create a wonderful flavor and add crispiness and freshness to the dish.
Rich and Flavorful Fermented Fish Hotpot, Exciting Taste for Diners
Today, fermented fish hotpot is also combined with many other ingredients. Such as catfish, pork belly, shrimp, squid,... to make the broth more rich and fragrant. These ingredients bring a diverse and rich culinary experience. Making anyone who has tasted it once will never forget.
3. Grilled Field Mouse with Lemongrass – One of the Unmissable Southern Delicacies
Another distinctive delicacy of the South that you cannot miss when visiting this land is grilled field mouse with lemongrass. After being caught, field mice are thoroughly cleaned, then marinated with delicious spices and skewered for grilling over hot charcoal. The mouse meat, after undergoing the grilling process, turns golden brown, creating a distinctive fragrant smell that captivates the taste buds of every diner.
Grilled Field Mouse with Irresistible Aroma
4. Unique Southern Delicacy – Coconut Worms
Bến Tre also contributes significantly to the list of delicious Southern dishes, making it more diverse and varied. Among the unique dishes of the South, there is one dish that you should try, although it may be a bit 'scary' for some diners. That's coconut worms - a type of larvae living inside coconut trees.
Coconut worms can be made into many dishes, but coconut worm dipped in fish sauce is the most well-known dish.
Coconut worms have a rich, creamy taste, similar to coconut milk, and they are processed into many different dishes. Among them, coconut worms soaked in fish sauce are the most popular dish. Coconut worms soaked in fish sauce bring a unique culinary experience. The combination of the rich, fatty taste of coconut worms and the salty taste of fish sauce creates a unique and enjoyable flavor.
5. Broken Rice – Signature Dish of the Southern Region
Broken rice, simple and familiar, has become an indispensable delicacy of the Southern region. Broken rice has soft and sticky grains, combined with shredded pork skin, sunny-side-up eggs, grilled ribs, Chinese sausage, and other spices. Especially, the important part that creates the delicious flavor of this dish is the bowl of fish sauce. The bowl of fish sauce plays an important role in creating the richness and attractiveness of broken rice. So don't miss the opportunity to enjoy broken rice, a traditional and flavorful dish. To explore and enjoy the unique flavor of Southern Vietnam.
Although humble, broken rice is a distinctive dish of the South
6. Sa Dec Rice Noodle Soup
Sa Dec rice noodle soup is considered a culinary icon not to be missed when visiting Sa Dec. Sa Dec rice noodle soup has a rich broth, with a sweet and savory flavor created from simmering bones. The white, smooth rice noodles are not sour or spicy. A bowl of Sa Dec rice noodle soup is not just simple noodles. It also includes a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, minced meat, Chinese barbecue pork, pork liver, and fragrant herbs like bean sprouts, cilantro,... From this delicate combination, the rice noodle soup brings a rich and delicious flavor that is irresistibly attractive.
Sa Dec rice noodle soup has a rich and diverse flavor that makes diners remember it forever after just one taste
7. Phu Quoc Hornet Vermicelli
If you have the opportunity to travel to Phu Quoc, don't forget to enjoy hornet vermicelli. The broth of the vermicelli is cooked from boiled fish, coconut milk, and seasoned with spices like curry powder, five-spice powder. Especially, stir-fried chili fish is an indispensable ingredient of this vermicelli dish. Hornet vermicelli not only carries a unique and delicious flavor, but also reflects the diversity and creativity of Southern cuisine. Enjoying hornet vermicelli, you will experience the harmonious flavor between the sweetness of the broth, the rich taste of stir-fried chili fish, and the smoothness of fresh vermicelli.
Phu Quoc hornet vermicelli with unique broth, cooked from boiled fish, coconut milk, and other flavors
8. Phu Quoc Stirred Vermicelli
Phu Quoc stirred vermicelli bears a unique name and reminds many people of it. The special feature of this dish is that before eating, you will 'stir' your bowl of vermicelli yourself. That means you will take ingredients, mix your dipping sauce, and serve yourself. Phu Quoc stirred vermicelli originally comes from Binh Dinh, it is a type of fresh seafood vermicelli. But later, it was adapted by the local people according to their own recipe and became a distinctive specialty of this area. Phu Quoc stirred vermicelli carries the distinctive flavor of the Southern region with a harmonious combination of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors from ingredients such as shrimp, squid, fish cake, raw vegetables,...
Phu Quoc Stirred Vermicelli - a dish with a unique name - is a Phu Quoc specialty that you shouldn't miss
9. What Delicious Dish Does the South Have? - Phu Quoc Mackerel Salad
A typical Southern dish from Phu Quoc is mackerel salad. Phu Quoc mackerel salad has a special flavor. The main ingredient of this dish is mackerel caught from the waters of Phu Quoc, bringing freshness and sweet fish meat. After being prepared, the mackerel will be mixed with shredded carrots, thinly sliced onions, shredded coconut, golden fried garlic, cilantro,... All of these ingredients create a harmonious and diverse combination of flavors.
The South has a variety of salad dishes, among which Phu Quoc has a famous salad called mackerel salad
Especially, the special sauce of mackerel salad is made from ripe star fruit vinegar, sugar, salt, chili,... creating a unique and enticing flavor. Phu Quoc mackerel salad is a delicious dish, rich in the taste of the sea. And it is a distinctive culinary symbol of the pearl island Phu Quoc that you must try.
10. Vung Tau Guitar Ray Noodle Soup
What delicious dish does the South have? Noodle soup is a popular dish in many regions, however, Vung Tau guitar ray noodle soup has a unique flavor and is a delicious dish of the South that everyone should try. The main ingredient of this dish is fresh guitar ray, caught from the sea of Vung Tau. An appealing bowl of Vung Tau guitar ray noodle soup will have thick broth and golden pieces of guitar ray, creating an eye-catching color. When enjoying it, you will feel the rich flavor of the broth and the delicious sweetness of the guitar ray meat, blending in the soft and chewy noodle strands.
Golden guitar ray noodle soup with delicious fresh guitar ray meat will make tourists want to eat more after just one try
11. Vung Tau Horseface Fish Salad
The horseface fish, resembling a rice fish, is about 6cm long. It has a white, odorless body. This fish species often lives in schools in the waters of Ba Ria - Vung Tau throughout the year. But it is especially common in the last months of the year.
Fish salad is made from fresh, freshly caught horseface fish. The fish meat, after being cleaned, is mixed with various spices. Such as lime, garlic, chili, salt, pepper, toasted rice powder, peanuts,... From simple yet harmonious ingredients, it creates a distinctive and flavorful taste for horseface fish salad.
Another famous salad dish in the South is Vung Tau horseface fish salad
When enjoying, horseface fish salad will be wrapped in rice paper, accompanied by various vegetables such as cucumber, sour starfruit, basil, green banana,... All create freshness, crispiness, and harmony in taste. The dish is enhanced with characteristic fish sauce. Creating a unique balance of flavors.
12. Saigon Pha Lau
Pha Lau is made from beef tripe, pork intestine, stomach, and other ingredients. To bring out the delicious flavor, pha lau is cooked with coconut water and spices, along with herbs. Nowadays, not only pork, but pha lau is also cooked with beef, duck meat, squid,... to bring diversity and richness to this dish. An attractive bowl of pha lau, with a dark brown color, full of smoothness. Enjoyed with hot, crispy bread, no one can resist.
Saigon Pha Lau
13. Tây Ninh Veal
Veal refers to cattle that have not reached full maturity or reproductive capability. What's special is that veal is not calves as many people mistakenly think. In fact, veal are cattle that have developed from 5-6 months old. Therefore, veal is not as young as calves but also not as mature as adult cattle.
Tây Ninh Veal, with its tender yet firm meat, when marinated with spices and grilled, emits an irresistible aroma.
Veal meat has a smooth texture, not as tough as veal. It carries a hint of natural milk flavor, creating a distinctive natural sweetness. That's why it is favored by many diners. Veal meat marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal emits an irresistible aroma. With a slightly charred outer crust, inside, the meat is tender and alluringly pink. Bringing a sweet and captivating flavor.
14. Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup – Unique Southern Delicacy
Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup, a distinctive Southern delicacy from Tây Ninh. Praised highly by diners. The broth of the rice noodle soup is cooked with vegetables, pork bones, and optionally dried squid and coriander, creating a distinctive flavor. The rice noodles are made from a special type of rice called Miên rice, giving the soup its brightness and elasticity. Particularly, boiled pork trotters and sweet and savory chili fish sauce are important elements that contribute to the delicious flavor of Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup.
Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup is a specialty of Tây Ninh with rice noodles made from Miên rice.
The people of Tây Ninh have a unique way of enjoying Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup. When eating, they divide the rice noodle soup and broth into one bowl. And another bowl is used to contain the meat and vegetables, creating an enticing pair of 'double bowls' of rice noodle soup. Trảng Bàng Rice Noodle Soup is often accompanied by sun-dried rice paper – a unique specialty of Tây Ninh.
15. Bà Đen Mountain Lizard, Tây Ninh
In the Bà Đen mountain region, there is a special species of lizard called the Tây Ninh mountain lizard. This creature has a different appearance from ordinary lizards. And it is used to make many delicious and nutritious dishes. Although it may make many people feel hesitant, mountain lizards are a famous Southern delicacy that should not be missed. The diet of Bà Đen mountain lizards is unique. It includes insects, bananas, and various medicinal plants, making the lizard meat nutritious. This meat can be cooked into grilled, fried, or porridge dishes. If you have the opportunity to travel to Tây Ninh, try this unique dish to experience a special flavor.
Tây Ninh mountain lizards are processed into many delicious, unique, and nutritious dishes
16. Tây Ninh Jerky – A Delightful Southern Gift
Thèo Lèo Tây Ninh boasts a glistening yellow hue and carries a distinctive aroma from roasted peanuts and sesame seeds. With a gentle and uniquely non-astringent sweetness. Thèo Lèo also offers a rich nutty flavor from roasted peanuts and sesame seeds. In just one taste, Thèo Lèo can capture anyone's heart with its enticing taste and unique aroma. It's a humble dish, delivering sweetness not only to locals but also serving as a sought-after specialty gift for many travelers to purchase as souvenirs for friends and family.
Thèo Lèo Tây Ninh, with its glistening yellow color, sweet and non-astringent taste, and nutty aroma from roasted peanuts and sesame seeds
17. Grilled Snakehead Fish in Cần Thơ
Grilled snakehead fish is made from wild snakehead fish and grilled over straw. The tender flesh of the snakehead fish creates an exquisite aroma. After the fish is cooked, the meat is sliced and topped with scallion oil and roasted peanuts. The naturally sweet and tender snakehead fish meat is wrapped in rice paper, served with fresh vegetables, and dipped in fish sauce. This dish will surely mesmerize you with each bite.
Grilled snakehead fish is served with fresh vegetables, creating an irresistibly delicious flavor.
18. Pandan Leaf Jelly Cake in Cần Thơ
Pandan leaf jelly cake in Cần Thơ is one of the renowned delicacies in Southern Vietnam. The jelly cake has a smooth texture, natural green color, and a pleasant aroma of pandan leaves. To enhance the flavor, you can drizzle it with sweet coconut milk and sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts. Pandan leaf jelly cake is a simple dish, deeply connected to the childhood memories of many locals in Cần Thơ. Not only does it boast a vibrant green color that stimulates both taste and visual senses.
Pandan leaf jelly cake in Cần Thơ with its eye-catching color and sweet aroma is a favorite dish of Southern people in general.
From traditional jelly cakes, various different versions have been created, such as pandan jelly cake, coconut jelly cake, peanut jelly cake, corn jelly cake... However, pandan leaf jelly cake remains the most enticing and appealing due to the fresh green color of the pandan leaves.
19. Cần Thơ Sizzling Pancake
One of the beloved dishes in Southern Vietnam that receives endless praise from tourists is Cần Thơ sizzling pancake. The pancake has a shiny golden crust, crispy texture, and inside is filled with a mixture of pork, chicken, shrimp, squid, papaya, mung beans,... It is often enjoyed with a bowl of garlic chili fish sauce, providing a sweet, slightly spicy, and rich flavor with various types of herbs such as green cabbage, water spinach, perilla leaves, mango sprouts, cashew leaves, betel leaves... A hot piece of sizzling pancake, dipped into the sweet, spicy fish sauce. All blend together, crispy and delightful in the mouth, creating an unforgettable flavor.
Cần Thơ sizzling pancake with its crispy crust, dipped in fish sauce, is undeniably delicious.
20. Can Tho Fried Cake
Can Tho fried cake, despite being considered a simple and inexpensive dish, never fails to impress many diners who cannot stop enjoying it. Can Tho fried cake has a quite unique name, but its ingredients are very familiar. It consists of rice flour, glutinous rice flour, mung beans, shrimp, pork,... The fried cake is crispy and golden, moist inside, and is often served with raw vegetables, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.
Can Tho fried cake is fried until golden and crispy, served with fresh vegetables and dipped in fish sauce.
21. Coconut Banana Rolls from Tien Giang - The Unique Delicacy of Southern Vietnam
Besides its natural beauty, Tien Giang is also a rich destination for a diverse list of delicious Southern specialties. Among them, one cannot overlook coconut banana rolls. This snack carries the natural fragrance of bananas blending with the creamy taste of coconut. Despite its sweet-sounding name, coconut banana rolls are actually savory, often served with raw vegetables and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce.
Southern specialty: coconut banana rolls
To make this specialty dish, ripe green bananas are used. They must be mature yet still retain their firmness, with round and plump bodies. Additionally, to enhance the flavor, many chefs add finely shredded coconut meat. This brings natural sweetness and smoothness. This unique combination has made coconut banana rolls a one-of-a-kind dish, exclusive to Tien Giang.
22. Cà Mau Floating Cake
Cà Mau, the southernmost land of the country, is renowned for its enticing dish called Tamarind Cake. With its delightful aroma and flavors, this Southern delicacy captivates the hearts of many visitors. Tamarind Cake, also known as Silk Cake, gets its name from the rice flour strands resembling silk worms. The chewy and smooth strands are enjoyed with chicken curry sauce, chicken, meatballs, and various greens like bean sprouts, basil, salt, pepper, and lime. The combination of savory, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors creates a delightful culinary experience that you can indulge in without feeling overwhelmed.
Tamarind Cake from Cà Mau
23. Salt-Roasted Stone Crab from Cà Mau
Cà Mau is renowned for its delicious fresh stone crab. These crabs are often found in rocky shores, rock reefs, and river mouths leading to the sea. Stone crabs can be prepared into various dishes, among which salt-roasted stone crab is a sought-after Southern delicacy for visitors to enjoy. Roasting with salt helps preserve the distinctive flavor of the crab meat. The meat becomes sweet, tender, and slightly fatty. When eaten with salt, pepper, and lime, salt-roasted stone crab becomes even more delicious.
Salt-Roasted Stone Crab
24. Chau Doc Fish Noodle Soup
Originally originating from Cambodia, this dish has been adjusted to suit the taste of the locals. Chau Doc Fish Noodle Soup is made from freshwater snakehead fish, with naturally sweet fish meat combined with vermicelli, shrimp paste. Thanks to this, the broth becomes rich and flavorful, without any fishy taste. When eating, the noodles are combined with various greens such as banana flowers, water spinach, and sesbania flowers, creating an exquisite taste.
Chau Doc Fish Noodle Soup has the sweetness of freshwater snakehead fish and the extremely rich broth
25. Chau Doc Shrimp Cake Soup
Chau Doc Shrimp Cake Soup has become a beloved dish in the South despite its very simple cooking formula. The broth for the shrimp cake soup is made from pork bones, dried squid, dried shrimp, and mushrooms, creating a rich flavor. Especially, Chau Doc Shrimp Cake Soup is not served with meat like traditional cake soup. Instead, it is served with deliciously toasted shrimp. With the sweet taste of the broth, the savory flavor of the shrimp, the spiciness of chili, and the sourness of lime. Along with the soft and smooth cake noodles, it creates a distinctive and unforgettable flavor.
Chau Doc Shrimp Cake Soup
26. Tri Ton Scorched Chicken – A Famous Southern Delicacy
Tri Ton Papaya Salad
28. Tri Ton Scorched Chicken
27. Tri Ton Papaya Salad
Tri Ton Papaya Salad is a variation of the traditional papaya salad of the Cambodian people. In addition to papaya, the dish also combines shredded banana blossom, cucumber, water spinach, tomatoes, shallots, and herbs. Along with condiments such as shrimp, sugar, and peanuts. The name 'Tri Ton Papaya Salad' originates from gently pounding the ingredients in a mortar before cooking. With unique cooking methods and distinctive flavors. Tri Ton Papaya Salad has left an unforgettable impression on many tourists.
Tri Ton Papaya Salad originates from the Cambodian salad dish.
Above are 27 specialty dishes from the Southern region that we want to recommend to you. Each dish carries a part of the long-standing cultural heritage of the local people, along with amazing flavors. Explore all the Southern specialties in each region to fully experience the unique flavors of Southern cuisine!
Posted by: Huong Quynh
Keywords: Southern Cuisine Delicacies - Top 25+ Famous Southern Specialty Dishes
