Top 8 Must-Try Dishes in Tien Giang - Mytour.vn

Bun Goi Gia is a specialty of My Tho, Tien Giang, and the wider Mekong Delta region. This dish features the distinctive flavors of shrimp, tamarind, and ground soy sauce. To make a perfect bowl of Bun Goi Gia My Tho, the dish requires special care in its preparation. Ingredients include fresh herbs, bean sprouts, rice noodles, broth, roasted peanuts, ground soy sauce, shredded coconut, tamarind juice, fermented shrimp paste, sawtooth coriander, pork belly, fresh shrimp or silver shrimp. The broth is crucial to the quality of the dish, made by simmering pork bones, shrimp, and pork belly, flavored with a touch of sugar and tangy tamarind water...

The dish is visually stunning with its white noodles, shredded coconut, bright red shrimp, tender boiled pork, vibrant green herbs, and a splash of red chili, accompanied by other aromatic spices.

To enjoy Bun Goi Gia My Tho, simply place some noodles into a bowl, pour the hot broth over it, and top with shrimp, pork, fried garlic, peanuts, fresh herbs, sprouts, chives, and banana blossom or shredded water spinach. For an authentic flavor, a special dipping sauce made with pure fish sauce from the Mekong River is essential. Visitors will find that no additional seasoning is needed; the dish is perfectly balanced as it is.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address:

• 85 Le Dai Hanh, Ward 1, My Tho City, Tien Giang
• 151 Nguyen Hue, Ward 7, My Tho City, Tien Giang

Tien Giang is blessed with fertile land, a favorable climate, and abundant rivers, making it the perfect region to grow some of the sweetest and most famous fruits in the country. Notable fruits from Tien Giang include Cái Bè tangerines, Lò Rèn Vĩnh Kim guava, Gò Công sour cherries, Cai Lậy durian, Hòa Lộc mangoes, Nhị Quý longan, Mặc Bắc Kim Sơn sapodilla, Tân Phước pineapples, Chợ Gạo dragon fruit, and Tân Phú Đông soursop. Each variety, from different regions, is uniquely delicious, offering a refreshing sweetness and flavor that visitors to Tien Giang simply must try.

To enjoy these famous fruits, you can visit local fruit markets in the province's towns, or even explore fruit orchards and cooperative farming areas. Finding these markets and orchards is easy. If you're on a tour, your guide will take you directly to the best spots. If you're traveling independently, simply ask the friendly locals for directions, and they will warmly guide you to the right place.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Addresses:

• Vĩnh Kim Fruit Market (Vĩnh Kim Commune, Châu Thành District, Tien Giang)
• Thạnh Trị Market (9976+G27, Ward 4, My Tho City, Tien Giang)
• Cái Bè Floating Market (Cái Bè Town, Cái Bè District, Tien Giang)

When talking about Tien Giang's specialties, one cannot overlook Gò Công shrimp paste. This unique dish has become a well-known trademark of the Gò Công region. Gò Công shrimp paste has a fresh, distinctive flavor that is unmatched anywhere else. Historically, it was once considered a royal delicacy, served to kings in the early 19th century.

Shrimp paste is often eaten with boiled pork, rice noodles, or rice cakes, alongside cucumber, sour banana, star fruit, and a variety of fresh herbs. The shrimp paste is essential for bringing the flavors together. To enjoy it, place noodles in a bowl, layer with meat, vegetables, star fruit, and more, then top with a spoonful of shrimp paste and savor the mix of sweet, fatty pork, fresh shrimp, bitter banana, sour star fruit, and aromatic herbs. Alternatively, you can wrap the mixture in rice paper with fresh vegetables, dipping it into shrimp paste for an irresistible treat. The shrimp paste ties everything together, blending all the flavors into a delightful experience that lingers in the mouth.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:

• Plot No. 2, Chợ Mới Hamlet, Long Hòa Commune, Gò Công Town, Tien Giang
• 4 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Ward 2, Gò Công, Tien Giang

The Gò Công coastal area is rich in seafood, but the most sought-after delicacy is the sea sam. The best time to enjoy it is from October to February, when the sea sam lays eggs, resulting in rich, flavorful eggs.

Among various dishes made with sea sam, the most popular and delicious is grilled sea sam with eggs. The cooking method is simple: light a charcoal fire, place the sea sam on the grill, turning it until golden brown. Prepare accompaniments like tangy pomelo segments, pickled radish, herbs, Thai basil, water mimosa, crushed roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and a spicy fish sauce mixture. Once grilled, carefully open the hot sam and remove the shell, revealing the golden, egg-filled interior. The firm, sweet meat along the back and tail is also a treat. Sea sam eggs are rich, fragrant, protein-packed, and highly nutritious.

If you're not ready to eat the sea sam immediately, you can dry it in the sun, then store it for later use. Some people prefer to boil it, remove the eggs, sauté with scallions, and mix them into a salad. The empty shells are sometimes used for decorative purposes. Gò Công sea sam, with its large mouth, is perfect for making a sour soup with mint leaves, water spinach, or winged bean, paired with a glass of local rice wine for an authentic experience. Regardless of how it's prepared, the fresh meat of the sea sam always maintains its unique taste.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address: Tan Thanh Beach (Tan Thanh Commune, Gò Công District, Tien Giang)

Typically, soft-shelled crabs begin shedding their shells around May, with the supply of soft-shelled crab fermented sauce ending by late August. During this time, locals gather to harvest the freshly shed crabs. The crabs are marinated with spices, coated in batter, fried golden, or stir-fried with tamarind. They are often enjoyed with rice noodles or wrapped in fresh herbs and dipped in a sweet-sour fish sauce, similar to how you would eat Vietnamese pancakes or savory rice cakes. Any leftovers can be preserved as fermented crab sauce for later consumption.

Soft-shelled crab fermented sauce can be served immediately with fresh herbs, cucumber, boiled pork belly, or fruits like mango or pineapple. It can also be eaten with rice noodles or used to make rice paper rolls. The sauce has a unique balance of savory, sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, with an aromatic fragrance. On cool days, a plate of fermented crab sauce makes for a delightful treat. This dish is undeniably one of the most famous specialties in the Tien Giang region.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address:

• 50 Hoàng Tuyển, Phường 5, Gò Công, Tiền Giang
• 141 Trương Công Định, K.3, P2, TX Gò Công, Tiền Giang

Hủ Tiếu from My Tho is a renowned dish in Tien Giang, famous for its chewy yet tender noodles and a broth with a delicate sweetness that blends perfectly with a refreshing taste. The unique feature of My Tho’s hủ tiếu lies in its small, dry, chewy noodles, with a slightly sour flavor that sets it apart from other hủ tiếu varieties. There are only a handful of exceptional hủ tiếu shops in My Tho that are considered the best.

The noodles are briefly dipped in boiling water before being placed in a bowl. A scoop of finely seasoned minced pork is added, followed by a ladle of hot broth made from pork bones, dried squid, and dried shrimp. The hot broth is poured into the bowl, allowing the minced pork to gently cook and bring out its sweet flavor. The dish is topped with various ingredients like pig’s intestines, crispy dried shrimp, pork fat, liver, thinly sliced char siu, cilantro, spring onions, and napa cabbage. A sprinkle of fried shallots and freshly ground pepper completes this savory treat. Hủ tiếu from My Tho is a must-try when visiting Tien Giang.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address:

• Hủ Tiếu My Tho Hạnh: 21/1 Nguyễn An Ninh, P8, TP. My Tho, Tien Giang
• Hủ Tiếu Bò Viên A Mẹt: 36 Ấp Bắc, Phường 4, TP. My Tho, Tien Giang
• Hủ Tiếu Quần Ký My Tho: 55 Ngô Quyền, Phường 7, TP. My Tho, Tien Giang

The name “bánh vá” or “bánh giá” has sparked much debate. Some believe the dish is named after its main ingredients, such as bean sprouts and mung beans, while others suggest the name comes from the method of preparation, where the batter is placed into a ladle before frying. Regardless of its origin, bánh vá (or bánh giá) holds a significant place in the culinary culture of Chợ Giồng and the wider Gò Công region in Tien Giang. The dish resembles Hanoi’s bánh tôm but features a richer blend of ingredients. Key components of the bánh vá include lean pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, rice flour, tapioca flour, mung beans, pig brains, and either vegetable or pork fat. It’s a dish that is deeply embedded in Southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Bánh vá (or bánh giá) is best enjoyed hot and crispy, offering a delightful crunch. Traditionally, it’s served with fresh herbs, noodles, or rice paper rolls, along with bean sprouts, cucumber, and a tangy garlic-chili fish sauce. To eat, break the bánh vá into small pieces, add fresh herbs, and drizzle with the savory fish sauce for a delicious combination of crispy, creamy, and fresh flavors.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address:

• Bánh Vá Cô Mười: Nguyễn Văn Côn, Bình Nhi, Gò Công Tây, Tiền Giang
• Bánh Vá Hoà Đồng: QL50, Bình Đông, Gò Công, Tiền Giang

Bánh bèo at Chợ Hàng Bông is a beloved dish from Mỹ Tho, known for its simple yet flavorful ingredients and preparation. The dish combines three main components: the bánh (rice cake), a filling of dried shrimp, mung beans, pork skin, fried shallots, and croutons, and a savory dipping sauce made with sugar, garlic, and chili.

The bánh is made by soaking rice flour to achieve the right texture, then adding a bit of fat before pouring the batter into small, shallow molds. The skilled cook must ensure the bánh is thin, round, and perfectly shaped. After the batter is poured, the cakes are steamed until just cooked and ready to serve.

There are two versions of bánh bèo: savory with mung beans and pork skin, and sweet with a rich coconut cream topping. Chợ Hàng Bông’s savory bánh bèo features a crispy topping of fried shallots and crunchy croutons. The sweet version is decadent with fresh coconut milk. The cakes are served with a bowl of spicy fish sauce and pickled vegetables on the side to complete the experience.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address: 23 Lê Thị Phỉ, Phường 1, TP. Mỹ Tho, Tiền Giang