The stingray hotpot - a dish everyone visiting Vũng Tàu wants to taste.

Stingrays aren't commonly found in the southern coastal areas, but they define Vũng Tàu's unique culinary charm, captivating many.

The stingray hotpot - a dish everyone visiting Vũng Tàu wants to taste.

Vũng Tàu, located over 100 km away from Ho Chi Minh City, is a coastal city that attracts numerous tourists during holidays and festivals. Apart from the usual seafood dishes, this destination is renowned for its stingray hotpot, a specialty for over a decade.

Stingrays aren't typical of the southern coastal region but are caught year-round. This fish has few bones, mostly concentrated in the head and dorsal area.

Typically, eateries here source the stingrays directly from the market early in the morning for preparation. After cleaning, the fish is marinated and chilled. Upon ordering, it's cut into large pieces suitable for chopsticks and arranged on a plate.

The meal is served with a charcoal stove and a pot of hot broth, inside of which are wild bamboo shoots. You add the fish as you eat. When the stingray meat is cooked, it becomes firm and deliciously fatty. The fish bones soften, resembling cartilage. Don't forget to add fresh greens like water spinach, banana flowers, and mint to accompany your meal.

The best time to enjoy the fish is right after it's taken out of the hotpot. The flavor isn't complete without a bowl of pure fish sauce. The sourness of the bamboo shoots infused into the fish, coupled with the rich broth, is what makes this dish irresistible to many diners.

Stingray hotpot is one of the dishes whispered about among travelers as a must-try in Vũng Tàu. There are many restaurants and eateries serving this dish, but the best ones are often found on Trương Công Định or Nguyễn Trường Tộ streets. Diners can also explore the seafood night market in the city center for a taste, although the dining environment there may not be as clean.

A pot of hotpot usually costs around 200,000 Vietnamese dong for 2-4 people.

According to Di Vỹ/ Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour