Buzz
From time immemorial, Sóc Trăng's specialties have always been a unique allure for visitors from all corners to this Southern land. Those who have set foot here are sure to remember the lingering taste of these simple yet elusive gifts.
Embark on a culinary journey through Sóc Trăng's specialties.
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Star Goby Fish.
Star Goby Fish is a specialty dish in Cù Lao Dung. With its green spots and white, tender skin, this fish, though small, offers firm and succulent flesh. Locals often prepare Star Goby Fish by braising it with pepper or drying it (locally known as 'squirrel drying').
Star Goby Fish, a daily staple for Sóc Trăng locals, is a beloved dish with humble origins.
Curry noodles are a source of pride for the people of Vĩnh Châu, Sóc Trăng. Unlike the famous Mỹ Tho or Nam Vang-style noodles, here they are made with Muscovy duck instead of pork or chicken.
A spicy bowl of curry noodles on a cold winter day is truly delightful.
A steaming bowl of curry noodles on a chilly winter day is simply divine.
Bitter Melon Snakehead Fish Congee
Although made from familiar ingredients, the people of Sóc Trăng have crafted a renowned specialty dish. Bitter melon snakehead fish congee may seem familiar to many. Perhaps it's just the firm and sweet meat of countryside snakehead fish?
Indeed, without a basket of bitter melon, the deliciousness of the dish would be greatly diminished. Bitter melon might be challenging for many to eat, but once addicted to its bitter taste, it's hard to quit.
Pepper Duck Noodle Soup
At first glance, pepper duck noodle soup may resemble braised duck noodles, but what sets it apart is that this dish is cooked with peppercorns, bones, and fresh coconut water. The sweet flavor mixed with the spicy kick tantalizes the taste buds from the first bite.
The noodles are often served with various fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, water spinach, shredded banana flower, and basil leaves to enhance the flavor. A delicious bowl of duck noodles demands a bowl of perfectly seasoned dipping sauce.
Crab Salad Noodle Soup
From its name alone, crab salad noodle soup piques curiosity. What makes it a specialty of Sóc Trăng? Looking at the photo below, you'll see that crab salad noodle soup is essentially the liquid version of traditional salad rolls.
Just like traditional salad rolls, crab salad noodle soup contains the same ingredients. The only difference is that instead of wrapping the ingredients in rice paper and dipping them, we pour the dipping sauce directly over a bowl filled with shrimp, meat, and more. If you ever visit Sóc Trăng, be sure to savor the unique flavor of this 'liquid version' of salad rolls!
A bowl of noodles like this provides enough energy for a full day of exploring Sóc Trăng!
Khmer-Style Broth Noodles
Khmer-style broth noodles, originally a specialty of the Khmer people, have become a distinct delicacy in Sóc Trăng thanks to the skillful hands of its locals. The main ingredient for the broth of this noodle dish is fish that is simmered until it falls apart, then filtered to remove bones and mixed with broth from chicken or pork bones.
A beautiful bowl of Khmer-style broth noodles from Sóc Trăng cuisine
As an enticing dish from the first glance, its ingredients must surely be diverse. Immersed in clear, sweet broth are boneless snakehead fish, peeled fresh shrimp, finely sliced roasted pork, and rice noodles.
Crafting a delicious bowl of noodles requires going through many different steps
A bowl of Sóc Trăng's broth noodles is a harmonious blend of familiar flavors that still amazes from the very first taste. Nowhere else can the fragrant taste of fish sauce, the sweetness of pork and shrimp, perfectly blend with the slight spiciness of mint leaves and the gentle sourness of lime or kumquat.
Various types of Sóc Trăng's specialty cakes
Cong Cake
When it comes to cakes in Sóc Trăng cuisine, Cong Cake holds a very special place. This type of cake has a filling that consists of steamed fresh shrimp, whole cooked green beans, and finely ground lean meat.
Cong Cake entices diners with its irresistible appearance. A curved shrimp sits atop the soft cake filling, emitting the fragrance of freshly rendered lard. Fried dishes like Cong Cake must always be accompanied by a bowl of perfectly balanced dipping sauce, ensuring you can enjoy as many as you like without getting tired of the taste.
Part of the allure of Cong Cake lies in the delicious dipping sauce made by the cook
The fish sauce served with this type of cake has an amber color and is a clever blend of salty, fragrant pure fish sauce, a bit of sourness from lime, a bit of sweetness from sugar, and the spicy, fragrant taste of chili and garlic.
In Cake (also known as Moon Cake)
In Cake is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and caster sugar, with the filling made from mung beans with pandan leaves or mung beans with durian.
In Cake Sóc Trăng
This Sóc Trăng specialty cake is most commonly used during the August full moon festival and the Ooc – Om – Boc festival annually in Sóc Trăng, to express gratitude to the Moon for granting humans strength, abundance in crops, and more...
Tube Cake
Tube Cake is a popular snack that can be easily found on any street in Sóc Trăng. Made from finely ground rice flour, pandan leaves, sugar, and coconut milk, yet people still adore this evening snack.
A close-up of how people in Sóc Trăng make Tube Cake
These cakes are steamed in bamboo or aluminum tubes, hence the name 'tube cakes.' The gentle green color, sprinkled with sesame seeds and peanuts on top, is irresistibly inviting!
Ginger Cake
Ginger cake is made from glutinous rice flour, chicken eggs, squid ink powder, and fresh lemon juice, mixed together into a paste and molded into shapes resembling ginger roots.
The cakes shaped like ginger roots are visually appealing
Once molded, the cakes are fried to a golden brown and dipped in a pot of whipped white sugar, creating a thin outer layer before being set out to dry. The ginger cakes are crispy with the rich taste of eggs and the sweetness of sugar.
A delightful crunchy treat
Souvenirs from Sóc Trăng
Pia Cake
The irresistible taste of Sóc Trăng pia cake is widely acknowledged by those who have had the chance to indulge in this delicacy from various provinces. It's no exaggeration to say that pia cake is the standout culinary highlight of Sóc Trăng.
Pia cake comes in two varieties: mung bean and taro fillings blended with fresh durian
Biting into the thin, soft crust, one can taste the sweetness of durian harmoniously mixed with either green beans or fully cooked taro. Deeper within lies the rich, savory flavor of salted eggs, perfectly balanced without any hint of gaminess. One bite leads to another, making it hard to resist the allure of this cake, especially for durian enthusiasts!
Pia cake and green tea are a perfect match!
No wonder why the aroma of pia cake always captivates, making it the most beloved souvenir from Sóc Trăng!
Thạnh Trị dried buffalo
'Each piece of Thạnh Trị dried buffalo is firm, tender, and fragrant without being dry.' That's just one of the many modest comments on the deliciousness of Sóc Trăng dried buffalo. Buffalo meat is naturally nutritious, known for its ability to treat low blood pressure. Now, it's further enhanced with a savory blend of spices like salt, garlic, chili, and more.
Thạnh Trị dried buffalo is dried for many days to achieve firmness while retaining its sweetness
The undeniable deliciousness of dried buffalo makes it a suitable choice for those looking to buy gifts for superiors, or to give to friends...
Dried buffalo is a favorite snack for many
Shrimp chips
Alongside rice crackers, pia cake, and more, Sóc Trăng shrimp chips are also a delicious snack loved by the locals here. Bà Ngó's shrimp chips is one of the oldest and most famous shrimp chip brands in Sóc Trăng, cherished by many customers at home and abroad for its rich flavor.
Sóc Trăng shrimp crackers are quite different from those in the North
Vũng Thơm sausage
Vũng Thơm is the birthplace of the province's top specialties. Here, establishments produce both pia cakes and sausages. The traditional sausage-making profession in Vũng Thơm offers a wide variety suitable for different tastes, including: meat sausage, shrimp sausage, chicken sausage...
The flavor of Vũng Thơm sausage is distinctly different from ordinary industrial sausages
Have you ever been obsessed with the unique delicacies of Soc Trang, urging you to venture into this charming destination? Explore its culinary treasures and share your experiences with us!
