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Trà Vinh, a picturesque land with a unique cultural heritage and distinctive cuisine. Don't miss the chance to savor these 7 famous Trà Vinh delicacies; a single taste will be etched in your memory forever!
1. Scrumptious Roasted Tamarind Crab in Trà Vinh
What creature is the Trà Vinh crab?
The creature belonging to the crab family, but its shell bears numerous rough patches, and its eyes droop sadly. Hence, locals affectionately refer to it as the 'dejected crab.'
Trà Vinh's Special Crab Delicacy
The unique roasted tamarind crab of Trà Vinh shares similarities with the northern-style roasted tamarind crab.
The 'dejected crab' dish in Trà Vinh is a delightful combination of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, reminiscent of the northern-style roasted tamarind crab.
Indulge in the delightful flavors of roasted tamarind 'dejected crab' – a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.
However, unlike enjoying just the meat in roasted tamarind crab, the 'dejected crab' is savored whole, shell and all, without the worry of bone obstruction, providing a completely unique experience for connoisseurs.
The vibrant red color of the 'dejected crab' stands out against the black-brown hues of the tangy and aromatic tamarind sauce, tempting the taste buds of travelers from all directions when visiting Trà Vinh.
2. Hóc Beef Paste – Trà Vinh's renowned specialty far and wide.
Similar to many other provinces in the Mekong Delta, Trà Vinh is abundantly blessed with a thriving river, teeming with a plethora of fish and shrimp – the key ingredients for the renowned Hóc Beef Paste, celebrated far and wide.
Delight in the delicious Hóc Beef Paste from Trà Vinh.
The delectable flavors of Trà Vinh undergo meticulous and intricate processes.
From cleaning and beheading the fish, soaking them in salt, to drying, marinating with spices, and finally fermenting for approximately 4 to 6 months until it transforms into the exquisite Hóc Beef Paste.
Many delightful dishes in Trà Vinh are crafted from Hóc Beef Paste.
Hóc Beef Paste is utilized to prepare a myriad of delicious and unique dishes, such as the specialty Hóc Beef Paste noodle soup.
A bowl of Hóc Beef Paste noodle soup boasts a rich and sweet flavor.
The enticing broth of the Hóc Beef Paste noodle soup blends the robust taste of the paste with the fragrant essence of rice vermicelli, lemongrass, and condiments. Upon tasting, it offers a deep, sweet richness and a refreshing, distinct acidity that lingers.
Noteworthy is the live blend of Hóc Beef Paste with lime, chili, garlic, and a perfect mix of spices. Enjoying Hóc Beef Paste with an array of greens: starfruit, bitter banana, herbs, young mango leaves, water lily shoots, chili peppers, cucumber, and wild eggplant.
For first-timers, the taste may be unfamiliar and challenging, but once accustomed, the irresistible and unforgettable flavor of Hóc Beef Paste becomes a craving, leaving a lasting impression.
3. Đa Lộc Sticky Rice Cakes – Trà Vinh's specialty for delightful gifts
The renowned Đa Lộc Sticky Rice Cakes have been a cherished delicacy in Trà Vinh for generations.
As Đa Lộc Sticky Rice Cakes from Trà Vinh hold a longstanding tradition, they have become a distinctive and familiar dish among the locals.
The ingredients for making sticky rice cakes include glutinous rice, peanuts, shiitake mushrooms, mung beans, Chinese sausage, salted duck eggs, fatty pork, and dried shrimp. The cakes are wrapped in banana leaves or dong leaves and secured with bamboo strings.
3. Đa Lộc Sticky Rice Cakes – Trà Vinh's specialty for delightful gifts
A bite into a piece of sticky rice cake reveals the chewiness of the glutinous rice and a rich, savory filling that melts in your mouth. Despite the emergence of various new cake varieties, Đa Lộc Sticky Rice Cakes remain the number one specialty to bring back as gifts when traveling to this region.
4. Suông Noodles - Delightful Dish from Trà Vinh
When asking, 'What to eat in Trà Vinh?' 9 out of 10 people will respond with Suông Noodles. Trà Vinh's Suông Noodles are a unique version of vermicelli, enhanced with ingredients like shrimp and pork belly, prepared in a distinctive way by the locals.
The best specialty of Trà Vinh's Suông Noodles is the shrimp paste.
The most exceptional part is the resilient and smooth shrimp paste, crafted from fresh ground shrimp mixed with garlic, dried shallots, and spices. The paste is skillfully kneaded multiple times during the cooking process.
5. Suông Noodles Bowl - Trà Vinh's Culinary Delight
The broth is simmered with pork bones for several hours, resulting in a rich and sweet flavor. The Suông Noodles broth has a slightly brownish hue, infused with tamarind and soybean paste.
A bowl of Suông Noodles brims with a broth that's both tangy and refreshing, accompanied by resilient shrimp paste, slices of boiled pork belly, bean sprouts, lettuce, and shredded white cabbage. The indispensable dipping sauce is a mixture of ground soybean paste and crushed chili.
In Trà Vinh, specialty Suông Noodles stalls are prominent in the evening on Điện Biên Phủ Street or renowned eateries along Hùng Vương Street.
5. Trà Cuôn Tet Cake - Trà Vinh's Eye-Catching Specialty Gift
Trà Cuôn Tet Cake is a unique and traditional delicacy, an indispensable dish during the Tet festival for the people of Trà Vinh.
Trà Cuôn Tet Cake, an irreplaceable specialty of Trà Vinh
The Trà Vinh Tet Cake specialty is crafted with great meticulousness.
To create delicious and chewy Trà Cuôn Tet Cake, it undergoes numerous meticulous steps. From selecting banana leaves and glutinous rice to marinating the fatty pork, every aspect relies on the experience of the cake makers.
When enjoying Tet Cake, it is typically sliced into small portions. If the taste isn't perfect, it can be complemented with soy sauce, pickled onions, dried shrimp, or pickled radish. With each bite, you'll forever remember the fragrant aroma of the glutinous rice and the rich, fatty filling melting delightfully in your mouth.
Is the Trà Vinh Tet Cake specialty expensive?
In Trà Vinh, Trà Cuôn Tet Cake is priced at 30,000 VND for the small size, 40,000 VND for the medium size, and 50,000 VND for the large size. These Tet Cakes can be preserved for 7-10 days.
7. Trà Vinh's Special - Waxy Coconut
What is Waxy Coconut?
Waxy Coconut, also known as Creamy Coconut, is a coconut variety with a thick, soft, and creamy flesh, richer and softer than regular coconuts. The coconut water is condensed and clear like dewdrops. Waxy Coconut is the specialty of Cau Ke District in Trà Vinh, as it has been successfully cultivated by locals in this region.
Trà Vinh's Waxy Coconut - A perfect blend of richness and chewiness
How to enjoy Waxy Coconut – Trà Vinh's Rich and Chewy Specialty
Take out the coconut kernel, add a little sugar, a bit of milk, and some peanuts into a glass, then top it off with crushed ice. Alternatively, you can savor a cup of blended or coconut smoothie (priced at only 25,000 VND/cup) at smoothie stalls along Điện Biên Phủ Street, right across from the main market. The aromatic and delicious Waxy Coconut, both rich and chewy, captivates countless travelers, leaving an unforgettable memory after just one taste.
You can purchase Waxy Coconut at stalls along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street or stalls on Điện Biên Phủ Street. The price of Waxy Coconut ranges from 160,000 to 180,000 VND per fruit, depending on the size.
8. Trà Vinh's Specialty - Banana Fruit Pudding
Trà Vinh's Special - Banana Fruit Pudding, just hearing about it feels hefty
Banana Fruit Pudding is also a specialty of Cau Ke District in Trà Vinh. These 'hefty' bananas are giant, the largest in Vietnam, with each fruit measuring over 30 cm in length and weighing up to 1 kg.
Therefore, locals typically sell them per fruit rather than by weight. Each banana sold in Trà Vinh's markets is priced between 8,000 and 10,000 VND per fruit.
Trà Vinh's Banana Fruit Pudding usually weighs around 1 kg
Banana Fruit Pudding is a popular choice during hot summer days because consuming these bananas feels refreshing and is beneficial for health. These bananas are known for their cooling and health benefits in the summer.
Unlike bananas eaten directly, Banana Fruit Pudding must be boiled or cooked thoroughly. Additionally, these plump and sweet bananas can be used to create various enticing dishes such as curry, hot pot, or candied bananas. Hopefully, this article has helped answer the question, 'What are the delicious specialties in Trà Vinh?' If you have the chance to visit Trà Vinh, experience all seven delicious dishes this region has to offer! Visit the PasGo Blog - Regional specialties to explore even more delicious Vietnamese dishes.
_ Khanh An_
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