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Cà Mau isn't just renowned for its U Minh mangrove forest or the poetic tunes of Bạc Liêu; its local specialties stand out as a compelling reason for travelers to linger. Exploring the rivers and waters of Cà Mau, don't miss out on these 6 incredibly famous delicacies.
In days of yore, there was a folk verse:
“Cà Mau, the land of seasonal abundance.
As the saying goes, 'Mosquitoes as big as hens, and mosquitoes as big as buffalo tusks.'
Indeed, Cà Mau is remarkably unassuming. Being a coastal province in the southern region, situated at the bottom of Vietnam's map, Cà Mau lies within the Mekong Delta region and is renowned as a land of waterlogged marshes. Hence, its specialties are rustic and humble. Let's explore them together.
1. Grilled mudfish – A traditional dish representing the land of the Cape
Forgetting to relish grilled mudfish when visiting the Cape would be a great loss. Grilled mudfish is a quite famous dish of the U Minh region. The mudfish is caught from the river and thoroughly cleaned. Then, locals skewer the fish and bury it in a burning pile of straw for grilling. Despite its humble origins, this dish boasts a rich and earthy flavor.
Grilled mudfish is a simple yet delicious dish
The way grilled mudfish is eaten in the Southern region and the Mekong Delta is different. The specialty grilled mudfish in the South is usually deboned, then dipped in chili salt to savor its fragrant, spicy, salty, and aromatic taste. Whereas in the Mekong Delta, grilled mudfish is enjoyed with tamarind fish sauce, wrapped in rice paper with herbs.
2. Eel cooked with Pennywort - Delicious Cà Mau specialty, ideal for those with nutritional deficiencies
Another famous delicacy from the U Minh region that you shouldn't miss is eel cooked with Pennywort. After being caught, the eels are cleaned and simmered with Pennywort. This dish is highly favored by many tourists because eel cooked with Pennywort is rich and refreshing. Moreover, according to traditional medicine, it helps nourish the blood, treat low blood pressure, hemorrhoids, or spinal problems.
Eel cooked with Pennywort is a renowned Cà Mau delicacy that boosts health
You can enjoy eel cooked with Pennywort with rice or as a snack with a bit of specialty wine from the Mekong Delta. It's wonderful to savor this specialty dish while soaking in the cool countryside atmosphere of the river region.
3. Stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili – A renowned Cà Mau specialty of the Southern folks
Stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili can be found in various regions, but the best is still the Cà Mau specialty stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili. Here, the mice must be field mice that feed on rice in the Mekong Delta plain, not as large as sewer rats or house mice, but they have firm, fragrant meat without any trace of disease.
Stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili in Cà Mau are not only delicious but also safe
Stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili is the signature Cà Mau delicacy. The tender mouse meat fried with lemongrass and chili brings a tantalizing aroma. Currently, this dish is featured on the menu of many famous restaurants in the Cape region. If you have the opportunity to visit U Minh, don't forget to indulge in this rustic dish. In addition to stir-fried field mice with lemongrass and chili, folks in the Southern region also prepare various other dishes from field mice such as grilled field mice, rat stew, and dried rat...
4. Cape mud egg meatloaf – A unique and delicious dish from Cà Mau
Cape mud egg meatloaf is renowned for its uniqueness in ingredient selection and preparation method, known as a hospitality dish of the people in Cà Mau region. Cape mud egg meatloaf is made from squid, pork meat, pork liver, and duck eggs. After being processed, the meatloaf is fried and served with rice paper, fermented fish sauce, and various herbs. When eating, you will taste the rich and fragrant flavor. If you are avoiding fatty foods, you can choose to eat grilled Cape mud egg meatloaf instead. Buying Cape mud egg meatloaf as a specialty gift for your family is very suitable.
Cà Mau squid egg meatloaf is a specialty that many tourists choose as gifts
5. U Minh fish sauce hotpot – Bringing together dozens of local products from the river region
U Minh fish sauce hotpot is one of the most famous specialties of the Mekong Delta region. U Minh fish sauce hotpot is meticulously prepared, unlike other hotpot dishes. Just counting the main ingredients, there are over 10 types of specialties from the Cape region, ranging from common to rare, such as: fermented fish sauce, snakehead fish, eel, shrimp,... The flavor of U Minh fish sauce hotpot is strong and challenging, but if you can handle it, you'll get addicted.
The unique flavor of U Minh fish sauce hotpot is only found in the river region
U Minh fish sauce hotpot is usually enjoyed with 10 – 15 types of vegetables, ranging from bitter, pungent, hearty, to sour flavors; such as coriander, sesame blossom, water spinach, and banana flower... Depending on your taste preferences, you can choose the vegetables to accompany the hotpot. The hotpot also features a variety of different types of freshwater fish. With this dish, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of specialties from the river region.
6. Rạch Gốc three-spot crab – Resembling crab but not actually crab
When it comes to Cà Mau specialties, we cannot overlook the three-spot crab. Especially the Rạch Gốc three-spot crab, only this region truly offers the best and most enticing ones. Because Rạch Gốc three-spot crabs feed on fallen black fruits, they have a reddish color, fragrant meat, and are firmer compared to crabs in other areas. Many people mistake three-spot crabs for regular crabs. However, Rạch Gốc three-spot crabs have a darker color and are smaller than crabs.
Rạch Gốc three-spot crabs can be a special gift from Cà Mau!
You can use three-spot crabs for steaming with lemongrass or dipping in salt, but pickled three-spot crabs are still the best, incredibly satisfying. If you ever visit the U Minh region, don't miss trying Rạch Gốc three-spot crabs to experience the delicious, rustic flavor of this local dish.
If you have the chance to visit here, don't forget to indulge in the 6 famous Cà Mau specialties in the renowned U Minh region mentioned above. Or if you're craving Cà Mau delicacies from the U Minh region but can't make it to Cà Mau, PasGo - Booking & Deals has some Cà Mau specialty restaurants for you to enjoy.
These include the Lẩu Cua Đất Mũi crab hotpot chain and the Quán Út Cà Mau restaurant chain. These restaurants are currently offering very attractive deals. To reserve a table and receive direct advice, please contact the PasGo reservation hotline: 19006005.
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