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An Giang is not only known for its stunning landscapes but also attracts visitors with its rich and unique cuisine. When visiting An Giang – the legendary land of the Seven Mountains, don't forget to try the delicious dishes suggested below.
Fish Cake from Linh Fish
Linh fish can be prepared in many ways, such as pickled, in hotpot, or in daily soups. But in An Giang, this special fish is also used to make crispy fish cakes. Fresh, plump fish are cleaned, with the head and tail removed. The fish is then pounded into a fine paste, mixed with egg whites and wheat flour, and seasoned with spices like pepper, garlic, onion, monosodium glutamate, fish sauce, and salt, all blended together.
Next, wrap the mixture tightly in banana leaves, similar to making a traditional cake, and place it in a clean, sealed plastic bag. Steam it for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Once cooled, slice it thinly and sun-dry for 4 to 5 days. Afterward, fry the slices into crispy, pinkish rice crackers with a savory and rich flavor. This treat is perfect for snacking in the late afternoon.
Beef Seven Ways from Sam Mountain
When traveling domestically to An Giang, visitors must try these dishes. Beef Seven Ways from Sam Mountain includes dishes such as boiled beef intestines, beef with steamed rice cakes, beef head porridge, beef with bread, stir-fried beef with sour leaves, beef cubes, and beef steak. The beef in An Giang is incredibly tender with a natural sweetness, making it delicious no matter how it's prepared. Among these dishes, stir-fried beef with sour leaves is considered the best, as the sweet beef blends beautifully with the mild sourness of the leaves, along with the spicy kick of pepper and chili, and the rich flavor of peanuts and coconut milk.
Beef dishes are always a satisfying feast for visitors when in An Giang – Image courtesy of a collected photo
Chợ Mới Puffed Sticky Rice
When you visit Chợ Mới in An Giang, many might wonder about the round, large, golden-brown dish sitting neatly on a plate. That would be the puffed sticky rice.
Puffed sticky rice is unbeatable when paired with roasted chicken - Image: Internet
This sticky rice is made from soft, fragrant glutinous rice. When fried, it puffs up and releases a delicious aroma. Diners can dip it in chili sauce, soy sauce, or enjoy it plain to fully appreciate its flavor. The dish becomes even more delightful when served alongside tender, sweet roasted chicken and a hint of aromatic herbs.
Long Xuyen Broken Rice
Broken rice is a well-known dish, found throughout the southern provinces. But do you know what makes Long Xuyen's broken rice so famous?
The broken rice here is made from the authentic "broken rice" variety, which results in small, fragrant grains. Additionally, the pork ribs are cut into small pieces, making them visually appealing while ensuring they don't overwhelm the taste buds.
Long Xuyen's broken rice always satisfies visitors, even the most discerning ones – Image courtesy of a collected photo
When it comes to the ingredients, Long Xuyen's broken rice is quite simple. A complete plate of this dish typically consists of pork ribs, egg, pork skin, and pickled vegetables. While the ingredients themselves are basic, it’s the careful preparation and marinating process that give the dish its unique allure. A little secret: most customers end up ordering 2 or 3 plates because they can't resist the delicious, distinctive taste.
Steamed Chicken with Bamboo Leaves
This dish is exclusive to Mount Cam (Chau Doc, An Giang). Bamboo is a type of citrus plant that grows on Mount Cam. The chicken used for steaming must be free-range and of the perfect weight, about 1kg. The success of this dish depends entirely on the cooking process. The whole chicken is lightly seasoned with salt and spices, then steamed for about 20 minutes. Once the chicken is just cooked, it is chopped into large pieces, about the size of two fingers, and topped with bamboo leaves.
Steamed Chicken with Bamboo Leaves is a must-try dish when visiting An Giang – Image courtesy of a collected photo
The tender sweetness of the chicken meat, the chewy richness of the free-range chicken, combined with the strong aroma of bamboo leaves, the slightly bitter taste of banana blossoms, and the spicy heat of chili salt creates an extraordinary experience for diners. You must try this dish when traveling on a budget in An Giang!
Grilled Snakehead Fish with Chili Salt
Snakehead fish is a type of freshwater fish with smooth skin, a long body, and weighs about 2-3 kg. The meat is firm, sweet, and fatty, without any bones, making it perfect for a variety of dishes like fried fresh fish, salt-marinated fried fish, grilled fish, sour fish soup, or braised fish. However, the most delicious preparation is grilled snakehead fish with chili salt. The best dipping sauce for this dish is either a tangy fish sauce or chili salt with lime. This dish can be wrapped in rice paper and served with various vegetables like lettuce, herbs, perilla, cucumber, and unripe banana.
To make your trip to An Giang even more complete, you can refer to the comprehensive travel guide for An Giang from A to Z that Mytour has gathered for you!
