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Curious about Trà Vinh's specialties? Embark on a culinary journey through the heart of Thổ Địa Trà Vinh. This article unveils the details of Trà Vinh's exquisite delicacies and provides you with the best addresses to savor them.
Mắm Bồ Hóc
Trà Vinh, the birthplace and upbringing of the Khơ-me ethnic group, is known for its gentle, rustic people who have a deep love for beauty and a culinary tradition closely connected to nature. One of their proudest creations is 'Mắm Bồ Hóc.' Crafted from the freshest catch, the skilled hands of mothers and grandmothers bring this delicacy to life. Despite the essential steps involved, the secret techniques of the creators continue to mystify, adding an extra layer to its unparalleled taste.
Mắm Bò Hóc – Culinary Masterpiece of an Ethnic Cuisine
Bún nước lèo
Bún nước lèo – the essence of the Khơ-me ethnic group's culinary art, bringing together the unique elements of a riverine culinary tradition. Locals often say to each other, 'You haven't truly been to Trà Vinh if you haven't tasted Bún nước lèo.'
People always honor and shower immense love upon this dish for its delicious and rich broth, white silky noodles blending seamlessly with various greens, accompanied by roast pork, spring rolls, rice cakes, pork blood pudding, all enhanced with a dash of spicy and tangy condiments like chili salt or vinegar dipping sauce. Oh, that flavor, both intense and pervasive, captures the hearts of generations in Trà Vinh.
Bún nước lèo – Trà Vinh's Specialty Delight
Ever wondered where that enchanting flavor comes from? Crafting a pot of delicious broth requires the skill and dedication of the cook, featuring mắm bò hốc – considered the essence of the Khơ me ethnic group. Infused with galangal, water spinach noodles, lemongrass, chili, and snakehead fish, all simmered together for about an hour to create a fragrant broth.
Bún nước lèo comes at an affordable price, around 20-30k, providing a satisfying meal with ample noodles and various accompanying dishes.
Must-try locations: the bun stalls along Lý Thường Kiệt Street. (open all day)
Bánh canh Bến Có – A Culinary Gem in Trà Vinh
When in Trà Vinh, ask a local for food recommendations, and undoubtedly, many will suggest trying Bánh canh Bến Có. While you can find bánh canh anywhere, this brand has gained fame for its delicious 'Tô bánh canh,' now a culinary essential for Trà Vinh locals.
Spacious, airy ambiance at Quán Bến Có
Bánh canh Bến Có, named after its location at the foot of Bến Có bridge, stands out. The same silky noodles, meat, offal, and cilantro, yet with an indescribable twist. That distinct flavor you won't find elsewhere.
Bánh canh Bến Có – A Savory Delight in Trà Vinh
The price of Bánh canh Bến Có might seem steep, around 30-40k/bowl compared to other places, but you get what you pay for – absolute quality. You can dine with confidence.
Quán's address: right under Bến Có bridge
Bún Suông
Bún Suông – A Highly Acclaimed Noodle Dish from Trà Vinh
When we talk about Bún Suông, think of a subtle sour taste, a delicate fragrance in the air, and a broth with a slightly brown hue due to the addition of tamarind and fermented bean paste. It stands out from other broths.
Suông – the soul of the dish, the suông strands are long and chewy, emitting a delightful aroma. To create delicious suông strands, sellers mix shrimp with various spices such as garlic, shallots, pepper, salt, and starch, adding a touch of food coloring for an appealing appearance. The suông strands are meticulously twisted multiple times and then gently placed into simmering broth for 5-10 minutes until fully cooked.
To enhance the harmony of the bowl, you can add a few slices of boiled pork belly, blanched bean sprouts, lettuce, and accompany it with julienned white radish. The dipping sauce is a mixture of ground bean sauce and blended chili.
Recommended locations to try: Bún Suông stalls usually open in the evening on Điện Biên Phủ Street. You can also try the ones on Hùng Vương Street, especially Bún Suông next to Vinh Quang Café on Phan Đình Phùng Street.
Dừa Sáp
When you think of coconuts, you might associate them with our 'siblings' in Bến Tre, but Dừa Sáp is exclusive to Trà Vinh. Moreover, this coconut variety is successfully cultivated by locals in Cầu Kè District.
From the outside, Dừa Sáp looks no different from regular coconuts, and the tree itself is just like any other coconut tree. However, each fruit chamber contains a few sáp coconuts. What sets these coconuts apart, justifying their price of over 200k, is their super thick, soft, fragrant coconut meat. The coconut water has transformed from the usual liquid form to a dense, creamy texture, reminiscent of coconut oil.
Traders source Dừa Sáp from Trà Vinh
Many tourists complain that they've heard about Dừa Sáp for a long time, but when they buy it elsewhere, they end up with coconuts that look ordinary when opened. Don't worry; when you come to Trà Vinh, you'll undoubtedly find genuine Dừa Sáp. However, prices may vary, and the sap content might not be as abundant as expected.
Reliable addresses: I usually buy from stalls along Phạm Ngũ Lão Street or stalls on Điện Biên Phủ Street. Dừa Sáp prices: 160~180k per fruit, depending on size.
Dừa Sáp is exclusively cultivated in Cầu Kè District, Trà Vinh Province
Moreover, for a delicious treat, mix Dừa Sáp with less sugar, less milk, and add peanuts in a glass. Crushed ice will make it absolutely fantastic. When in Trà Vinh, visit the smoothie stalls on Điện Biên Phủ Street, opposite the main market, and enjoy a glass of blended Dừa Sáp or Dừa Sáp smoothie. This is the most authentic way to savor the unique taste of Dừa Sáp, as it's not overly sweet but rich and can be a bit overwhelming when eaten directly. This method costs only around 25k for a glass.
Pro tip: If you have the chance to visit Cù Lao Tân Quy, Cầu Kè District, buy it there; the prices are even more reasonable.
Bánh Tét Trà Cuôn
The renowned Bánh Tét of Trà Vinh, a pride of the Trà Cuôn region. The rolled Bánh Tét is carefully wrapped layer by layer with glutinous rice, mung beans, pork belly, salted eggs, creating a harmonious and visually pleasing treat.
Bánh Tét Trà Cuôn, Province of Trà Vinh
Wrapping Bánh Tét is not overly challenging, but undoubtedly, it's not easy. Every year, during Tet, I usually lend a hand to my grandmother, trying my hand at rolling the cake. However, my hands remain unskilled after all these years – sometimes rolling too much glutinous rice, sometimes having excess mung beans. The process is a bit loose, and that's when my grandmother laughs and tells me to do it again.
While wrapping the cake is difficult, cooking it is even more laborious, with many people taking turns. Even after so long, people in Trà Vinh still cook Bánh Tét in the traditional way, and that's something that makes me very proud. It takes a lot of time and effort, but everyone in the family is happy during these days, spending quality time together. It's warm, cozy, and strangely peaceful.
Banh Tét Trà Cuôn – a meaningful gift from the people of Trà Vinh
Bánh tét Trà Cuôn is often sold at a reasonable price, around 50~60k per full round. If you can't finish the cake, you can store it in the refrigerator for gradual consumption as it is already cooked. When you want to eat, you can wait for it to thaw or fry it, both are delicious. In my experience, it's fine to keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks to prevent it from getting too hard or the mung beans falling apart, maintaining the original taste.
You can buy it at stalls along Điện Biên Phủ Street. If you happen to pass by Trà Cuôn, visit the bakery there. Besides, Hai Lý is a prominent brand, ensuring the deliciousness of Bánh Tét Trà Cuôn. From what I know, brands like Cô Vui, Cô Hường are also exceptionally good.
Dried shrimp Vinh Kim
Bánh Tét Trà Cuốn and Dried Shrimp Vinh Kim are often mentioned together simply because the hometowns of these two specialties are close to each other. Dried shrimp from Vinh Kim is famous for its freshness, dryness, fragrance, and mild saltiness, making it a perfect companion.
Dì Hai Khâm's renowned brand of dried shrimp Vinh Kim is well-known nationwide.
To make dried shrimp, locals here often choose natural white-leg shrimp, avoiding the use of artificial coloring, and they are sun-dried thoroughly. The product has a reddish color, firm flesh, a deep sweet taste, and a distinctive fragrance. Although not preserved with any additives, dried shrimp Vinh Kim has a long shelf life, so you don't have to worry if you buy in bulk.
Dried shrimp Vinh Kim, a source of pride for the people of Trà Vinh
Dried shrimp here is sold at a relatively high price. Grade I is around 1.2-1.5 million VND/kg, while Grade II and III range from 800k to 1 million VND.
When you visit Trà Vinh market, it's easy to spot Vinh Kim dried shrimp displayed by local vendors in various sizes. Feel free to taste one or two before making a purchase.
When in Trà Vinh, make sure to try these unique and outstanding dishes. Besides these specialities, Trà Vinh offers many other delicious dishes that you shouldn't miss: the chain of Nem Nướng stalls near Ngã Ba Đuôi Cá, the string of hotpot and grill restaurants along Trần Phú culinary street, Hủ Tiếu Sâm Pua, Bánh Xèo, Bánh Khọt, and more. Wishing you a delightful and soulful journey exploring the local cuisine in Trà Vinh. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll quickly respond to you.
Posted by: Đinh Huyền
Keywords: Trà Vinh Delicacies - 7 Must-Try Dishes in Trà Vinh
