Explore 8 authentic specialties of the rustic river region worth experiencing

Dishes from the mountains and seas are quite common and familiar to us, aren't they! Why not once 'leave the city for the countryside' and discover the specialties of the river region right now! Wow, sounds tempting and exciting, doesn't it! Let's find out what delicious dishes the river region has with Mytour!

1. Grilled snakehead fish

specialties of the river region

Grilled snakehead fish is the first must-try specialty of the river region. @Shutterstock

After that, the fish will be skewered with bamboo sticks or bamboo skewers from tail to body, then grilled with straw or bagasse. Wait until the fish scales turn black, then the meat is cooked. This dish is best enjoyed with garlic chili fish sauce!

Suggested address:

Grilled Snakehead Fish Restaurant

An's Snakehead Fish Restaurant

2. Sour soup with wildflowers

specialties of the river region

Sour soup with wildflowers is irresistibly tempting, isn't it! @bepxua

Sour soup typically uses snakehead fish, which is rich in flesh and cooked to a creamy texture. Adding a few shrimps makes it even more delicious. Just hearing about it makes it incredibly enticing!

Suggested address:

Thanh Phong Boat Fish Hotpot

Coconut Tree Fermented Fish Hotpot

3. Coconut worms

Specialties of the river region

Coconut worms - Once you try it, you'll be hooked! @Shutterstock

Coconut worms can be prepared in various ways such as salad, batter-fried, or deep-fried,... Although they may look scary from the outside, they are incredibly delicious when you take a bite. Especially, coconut worms have a rich and creamy flavor, and they are also packed with nutrients like Protein, Vitamin A, C, B1 supporting anti-aging, and boosting health. And Ben Tre is the capital of coconut worms, so if you have the chance to visit, be sure not to miss out.

Suggested addresses:

Tu Thieng Beef Restaurant

Dong Khanh Restaurant

4. Grilled field mice

Specialties of the river region

Grilled field mice - A delicious rustic dish from the river region. @Youtube SGchill

Field mice in the Mekong Delta are delicious due to their diet of rice and colorful flowers. After being cleaned, trimmed, and marinated, they are grilled over fire for about an hour until cooked. Grilled field mice at this point are fragrant, with shiny golden skin, and the meat is tender and flavorful.

Suggested addresses:

Pomelo Restaurant

Lotus Blossom Restaurant

5. Salted fermented three-striped crab

Specialties of the river region

Salted fermented three-striped crab is a common specialty in meals in the Mekong Delta. @voso

When you bite into salted fermented three-striped crab, it's super crispy, complemented by the sweetness of sugar, the spiciness of chili, or the sourness of lime, all blending together to create a highly distinctive flavor. Salted fermented three-striped crab is best enjoyed with steamed rice!

Suggested address: Anh Ba Khia Restaurant

6. Gunflower buds braised in fish sauce

Just like wildflowers, gunflower buds are also a familiar food in the provinces of the Mekong Delta. After being harvested, gunflower buds are thoroughly washed and cut into individual stalks; they are then braised with delicious freshwater fish sauce. Next, we cook the mixture with various spices.

Gunflower buds braised in fish sauce are truly irresistible. @kenh14

Specialties of the river region

Suggested address:

Pomelo Tree Restaurant 3

Countryside Cuisine

7. Western-style crispy pancakes

Western-style crispy pancakes may be already famous to many! These pancakes, filled with ingredients like bean sprouts, pork belly, shrimp, and chicken,... are eaten wrapped in fresh vegetables such as: mustard greens, perilla leaves, and coriander,... and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, making them delicious.

Western-style crispy pancakes are irresistibly fragrant. @Shutterstock

Eating crispy pancakes in the Western region isn't just delicious but also extremely enjoyable! As there will be many gatherings, people will pour crispy pancakes and have lively conversations together. Waiting for the delicious pancakes to come out of the oven is also a very interesting experience in the river region.

Suggested address:

7 Arrive Crispy Pancake Restaurant

Muoi Xiem Western-style crispy pancake

8. Snakehead fish braised with pineapple shoots

And the last dish we'll experience is snakehead fish braised with pineapple shoots! Pineapple shoots are used as the main ingredient, while snakehead fish is a smooth-skinned fish species abundant in the Mekong Delta.

Snakehead fish braised with pineapple shoots is 'addictive'. @Collected

Specialties of the river region

Suggested address:

Countryside Cuisine

Dong Khanh Restaurant

Specialties of the river region are indeed incredibly diverse and rich for us to enjoy, aren't they! If there's any dish missing, feel free to suggest more to us. Visiting the Mekong Delta this time, you'll definitely have to try all the specialties before leaving. If you're planning a trip, don't miss out on cheap flight tickets at Mytour!

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