Culinary Delights of Vung Tau

Vung Tau, a coastal city near Ho Chi Minh City, is known for its beautiful beaches and enticing cuisine. Here are some must-try dishes for food enthusiasts exploring Vung Tau.

Culinary Delights of Vung Tau

Stingray Hot Pot

Stingray hot pot is a local delicacy in Vung Tau that captures the hearts of many visitors. The stingray has minimal bones, particularly in the back and head. The soft bones can be chewed in the mouth like cartilage.

Stingray hot pot is cooked with sour bamboo shoots and accompanied by various greens such as water spinach and banana flowers. The firm and flavorful stingray pieces, combined with the naturally spicy-sweet broth from the fish bones and green chilies, create a distinctive and rich flavor unlike any other hot pot.

Savory Rice Cakes

Savory rice cakes find their origin in 'bánh căn' from the Central region of Vietnam. This delightful treat is crafted from rice flour and fresh shrimp, cherished for its rich flavor. Rice flour is mixed with water to form a batter, poured into molds, and crisped to perfection. Fresh shrimp is delicately placed on each cake. Enjoyed hot, these treats pair excellently with a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and chili.

Salted Egg Angel Cake

Vũng Tàu's culinary scene is distinguished by the unique Salted Egg Angel Cake, unlike any other sponge cake elsewhere. These petite angel cakes, made with wheat flour and salted eggs, boast a distinct and alluring flavor. Typically served with coconut jam or fresh cream, you can explore various cake varieties at local bakeries for a delightful experience.

Dragged Noodles

Known as a specialty of the Chinese community, Dragged Noodles stand out with their homemade egg noodles that are delightfully chewy and rich. The broth, made with quality bones and tender pork ribs, is robust and full-flavored. After drying the noodles, instead of merely 'pulling' them apart like other establishments, the proprietor here tosses the noodles into the air, catching them on a mesh before placing them in the bowl and adding spices.

Pigeon Congee

Pigeon congee is a unique dish in Vũng Tàu, embodying the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese culinary culture from the Northern, Central, and Southern regions. Enjoyed with a variety of greens such as mustard greens, water spinach, bean sprouts, winter melon, and basil, it reaches its pinnacle when paired with local chicken eggs and a dash of spicy fish sauce, creating a delightful aromatic and spicy sensation.

Shallow-Fried Meatball Baguette

Shallow-fried meatball baguette is served by placing ingredients on a small pan, heating them until sizzling, and pairing them with hot and crispy baguette. This savory delight consists of a traditional meatball, sunny-side-up egg, broth-cooked meatballs, accompanied by fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and pickles. Options include salted egg meatballs, sliced meatballs, or other toppings like fried sausages, spring rolls, or canned fish.

Mai Fish Salad

Exploring the cuisine of Vũng Tàu is incomplete without savoring dishes made from fish, and one of the highlights is the enticing Mai fish salad. The salad features the fresh sweetness of fish, the chewiness of peanuts, harmonizing with the sourness of star fruit, the bitterness of green bananas, and the aromatic fragrance of herbs.

Water Fern Cake

Water fern cake is a delicacy found throughout Vietnam. For delicious cakes, quality rice is essential, ground finely to create a smooth powder. The rice cake mixture is blended with water in specific proportions to achieve a soft and chewy texture when cooked. In Vũng Tàu, water fern cakes incorporate sea-inspired ingredients like shrimp, peanuts, onions, and lard for enhanced flavor.

Sizzling Pancake

Sizzling pancakes have long been embedded in the consciousness of the Southern region's residents, evolving into a regional specialty. While sizzling pancakes can be found everywhere, each region has its unique preparation method. In the cuisine of Vũng Tàu, they carry a distinctive flavor. The ingredients include rice flour, shrimp filling, meat, and bean sprouts. What sets them apart is the addition of fresh chicken eggs in the batter and extras like onions and mung beans.

As per Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour