Phú Yên is famous for its untouched beaches and rich culinary traditions. Among its local specialties, Bún Bắp stands out as a simple yet unforgettable dish that captures the rustic flavors of the countryside.
Introduction to Phú Yên's Bún Bắp dish

Bún is a staple food enjoyed by all Vietnamese. White rice noodles are common everywhere and have been tasted by many. While Hanoi is known for its bún chả and Huế for its bún bò, Bún Bắp from Phú Yên is a local delicacy of the region. Traditionally made from one generation to the next, the exact origins of this dish remain a mystery. Unlike rice noodles, bún made from corn is chewier, more resilient, and visually appealing.


Making Bún Bắp requires great attention to detail and precision. It involves several stages, from ingredient preparation to mixing the dough, fermenting, drying, sour soaking, and cutting the noodles. These many steps are crucial in achieving the distinct quality and flavor of Bún Bắp from Phú Yên. The original Bún Bắp is made in An Dân village, Tuy An district. In the past, many families used to produce bún, but due to the labor-intensive process and low income, many have since switched occupations.

The intricate steps involved in making Bún Bắp
The process begins by selecting young, golden-yellow corn kernels. The corn is husked, mixed with rice husks, and then ground until finely crushed. After grinding, it is sifted to remove any husk particles and soaked in water for a full day. After soaking, the flour ferments and is then sun-dried for three days. Before being put into the mortar, the flour is soaked again to eliminate the sour smell and to soften the dough. The dough is then placed into the mortar and ground until smooth, before being cut into small pieces.

The small pieces are then boiled and blended until smooth. Once blended, the dough is kneaded in warm water and rolled into thin strands. The noodle strands are then dropped directly into boiling water until they rise to the surface. At this point, they are quickly scooped out, shaped into small round cakes, and placed on banana leaves. The result is thick, golden yellow, and soft noodles. A batch of Phu Yen corn noodles takes up to a week to prepare. The noodles are sweet with a subtle fragrance of corn.

Phu Yen corn noodles, no matter what ingredients are added, remain light and easy to eat without being too greasy. Some dishes made with these noodles include corn noodle soup with pig's feet, stir-fried noodles with offal, stir-fried noodles with seafood, stir-fried noodles with mushrooms and beef, and more.

Here are some must-try places to enjoy delicious corn noodles when visiting Phu Yen:
Bún Cá Phú Gia – A18 Tran Phu, Phu Yen, Tuy Hoa City, and 249 Nguyen Hue, Phu Yen, Tuy Hoa City.
Corn Noodle Restaurant: 249 Nguyen Hue, Phu Yen, Tuy Hoa City.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Handbook
Mytour.vnJune 18, 2024