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Dong Thap is not only famous for its beautiful natural landscapes but also for its delicious and enticing dishes. Moreover, Dong Thap specialties reflect the rich and familiar culinary culture of the Mekong Delta region. Let’s explore what specialties Dong Thap has to offer in the following article with Kamereo!
Sa Dec noodles – Extremely famous Dong Thap specialty
Sa Dec noodles are always one of the top dishes when it comes to Dong Thap specialties. This dish is a combination of thin and chewy rice noodles with delicious broth simmered from bones, creating a characteristic flavor. A bowl of Sa Dec noodles usually includes: noodles, shrimp, meat, heart, liver, and spleen. When served, it is accompanied by bean sprouts, fried onions, creating a rich and nutritious flavor.
In addition to noodle soup, you can also try dry noodles, usually served with a bowl of soup. This is a great choice to experience the unique flavor of Sa Dec noodles in a different way. Moreover, each ingredient in the dish tells a story of the rich and flavorful cuisine of the Western region, promising to delight the taste buds of diners.
Reference addresses:
- Mrs. Sam’s Noodle: 188 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City | 20 Luu Van Lang, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
- Uncle Tu’s Noodle: 246 Tran Phu, An Hoa Ward, Sa Dec City.
- Phu Thanh Noodle: 75 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
- Dau Noodle: 292 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
Price reference: About 20,000 – 35,000 VND/bowl.
Dong Thap rice paper with pork skin
The Mekong Delta is famous for many delicious types of cakes, so it’s no wonder that Dong Thap rice paper with pork skin is included in the list of Dong Thap specialties. The uniqueness of this dish comes not only from the way it is prepared but also from the breath of the culture and history of the people of Dong Thap.
Dong Thap rice paper is made from rice flour with coconut milk, creating a smooth and fragrant layer of cake. In addition, the dish also includes a thin layer of pork skin, pork sausage, and ground pork, served with rich Dong Thap fish sauce. This combination brings a distinctive flavor, blending perfectly into the dish to satisfy diners near and far.
Reference addresses:
- Mr. Dung’s Rice Paper: 49B Phan Boi Chau Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
- Ut Tuyen Rice Paper: 60 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
- My Ngai Rice Paper: 445 30 Thang 4 Street, Ward 1, Cao Lanh City.
Price reference: About 20,000 – 35,000 VND/plate.
Cao Lanh sizzling pancakes
Sizzling pancakes are a popular dish in Vietnam, but in each region, the way of cooking and enjoying them is different. Therefore, Dong Thap specialties cannot be without Cao Lanh sizzling pancakes – highly appreciated by many travelers. This dish is made from rice flour combined with coconut milk, creating a thin, crispy, and shiny yellow crust. In addition, the filling usually includes: ground pork, shrimp, mung beans, and other spices.
Pouring the pancake requires the skill of the chef to create a thin, crispy crust without burning it. Therefore, this dish becomes even more special, not everyone can make it beautiful and delicious. Cao Lanh sizzling pancakes are often served with fresh vegetables and rich fish sauce.
Reference addresses:
- Hong Ngoc Pancake: 228 Le Duan Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Ut Nang Pancake: 226 Le Duan Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Five Brothers Pancake: 182 Le Duan Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Thanh Ngoc Pancake: 242 Le Duan Street, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
Price reference: About 20,000 – 40,000 VND/piece.
Lai Vung spring rolls
Next is a Dong Thap specialty that you cannot miss when visiting Lai Vung spring rolls. This dish is often made from ingredients such as: pork belly, pork skin, fat, fish sauce, onions, garlic, and pepper to create a distinctive flavor.
Lai Vung spring rolls are wrapped in young banana leaves, so it requires the skill of the craftsman to wrap the spring rolls beautifully and without tearing. If you have the opportunity to visit Dong Thap, don’t forget to enjoy, as well as buy this specialty as gifts for relatives and friends.
Reference addresses:
- Huynh Hau Spring Roll Establishment: 85 Tan Khanh, Tan Thanh Town, Lai Vung District.
- Lai Vung Spring Roll Restaurant: 236 QL80, Sen Vang Urban Area, Lai Vung District.
- Ut Thang Lai Vung Spring Roll: 8J3X+CWX, QL80, Lai Vung Town, Lai Vung District.
- Hoang Khanh Spring Roll Establishment: 18E TL, Tan Loi, Tan Thanh Town, Lai Vung District.
Price reference: About 25,000 – 40,000 VND/portion.
Sa Dec grilled duck
Sa Dec grilled duck is considered one of the delicious dishes of Dong Thap that travelers must try. With its special way of cooking and unique flavor, this dish easily conquers even the most discerning diners from all over the country.
To create the distinctive flavor, chefs often choose live ducks, then marinate them with spices such as: salt, pepper, and garlic to create a rich and fragrant flavor when grilled. Next, the duck is grilled over charcoal, creating a crispy outer skin, but tender and flavorful meat inside.
During the flooding season of the Mekong Delta (around September – November) is the ideal time for travelers to admire the picturesque natural scenery, while enjoying the distinctive and rich flavor of grilled duck.
Reference addresses:
- A Tai Grilled Duck Restaurant: 71 Nguyen Cu Trinh Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
- Hong Grilled Chicken & Duck Establishment: 21 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, Group 1, Sa Dec City.
- Grilled Duck & Seafood Restaurant: 169 Nguyen Cu Trinh Street, Ward 1, Sa Dec City.
Price reference: About 50,000 – 220,000 VND/portion.
Grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves
When exploring the provinces of the Mekong Delta, especially Dong Thap, travelers must try the grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves – a specialty of the land of pink lotus. After being grilled, the fish will be wrapped in lotus leaves to enhance the flavor and aroma. Moreover, this method helps to retain the moisture and tenderness of the grilled snakehead fish.
Usually, grilled snakehead fish wrapped in lotus leaves is served with sweet and sour fish sauce, noodles, fresh vegetables, and rice paper rolls. All combined together to create a unique culinary experience that diners cannot forget.
Reference addresses:
- Sen Hong Ecotourism Area: Tan Kieu, Thap Muoi District.
- Cao Lanh Grilled Snakehead Fish: 82 Pham Huu Lau Street, Ward 4, Cao Lanh City.
- Dong Sen Thap Muoi Ecotourism Area: 1 Ap 1, Tan Kieu, Thap Muoi District.
Price reference: About 150,000 VND/fish.
Stir-fried Swamp Eel
Dong Thap’s specialty dishes are not only renowned for their distinctive flavors but also for their unique ingredients, especially the stir-fried swamp eel. Although this dish may seem unfamiliar to many tourists, it is quite popular in both local eateries and upscale restaurants in Dong Thap.
The swamp eel is cleaned thoroughly, then marinated with various spices and stir-fried with coconut milk. As a result, the dish offers a unique flavor and an appealing color. Stir-fried swamp eel is undoubtedly a distinctive Dong Thap dish, making it hard for visitors to forget.
Reference addresses:
- Phong Lan Restaurant: QL30, My Tra Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Tu Hao Restaurant: 17 Dien Bien Phu, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Rice Tavern: Ly Thuong Kiet, Cao Lanh City.
Price reference: 120,000 – 200,000 VND per serving.
Fermented Fish with Bullet Tamarind Leaves
“If you want to taste fermented fish with bullet tamarind leaves, you must come to Dong Thap and indulge…”
One dish that travelers should not miss in their culinary exploration of Dong Thap is fermented fish with bullet tamarind leaves. It is considered a symbol of Dong Thap’s specialty cuisine, as it fully represents the characteristics of the region with the combination of most local distinctive natural products.
Various seafood such as eels, fish, etc., are fermented along with linh fish sauce or sặc fish sauce and often accompanied by various vegetables such as water lilies, spinach, bitter vegetables, etc. Especially, bullet tamarind leaves and water mimosa are two essential ingredients in this dish. All blend together to create the delicious and distinctive flavor of the rivers and fields.
Reference addresses:
- Phong Lan Restaurant: QL30, My Tra Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Tu Hao Restaurant: 17 Dien Bien Phu, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Rice Tavern: Ly Thuong Kiet, Cao Lanh City.
Price reference: Approximately 25,000 – 40,000 VND per serving.
Roasted Field Mouse
Roasted field mouse is one of Dong Thap’s specialties that travelers should enjoy when visiting during the flood season. After the harvest season, people in Cao Lanh often hunt for plump field mice that have fed on rice grains to cook various delicious dishes such as shredded field mouse, stir-fried field mouse, spicy stir-fried field mouse, etc.
However, the most famous dish is still roasted field mouse. The crispy mouse skin combined with the tender and fragrant meat will quickly become addictive from the first taste. Additionally, this dish is often enjoyed with fish sauce to enhance its distinctive flavor.
Reference addresses:
- A Tuấn Snake and Field Mouse Restaurant: 51 Le Duan, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Ba Lua Restaurant: Cau Long, Cao Lanh City.
- Huong Que Restaurant: 662 Phu Long Hamlet, Tan Phu Dong Ward, Sa Dec City.
Price reference: 60,000 – 90,000 VND per serving.
Dong Thap’s Linh Fish
Wrapping up the list of Dong Thap’s top 10 specialties is the linh fish. From September to late November is the time when linh fish thrive and the wild water lilies bloom golden along the riverbanks.
Local people often use linh fish to cook various dishes, from frying, stir-frying, making soups to stewing. Among them, linh fish stew with wild water lilies is still the most favored specialty by many travelers.
Linh fish stew brings a refreshing, delicious, and distinctive flavor that you cannot find in other hotpot dishes. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit Dong Thap during this time, be sure to visit restaurants or eateries to enjoy this dish.
Reference addresses:
- Phong Lan Restaurant: QL30, My Tra Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Tu Hao Restaurant: 17 Dien Bien Phu, My Phu Ward, Cao Lanh City.
- Rice Tavern: Ly Thuong Kiet, Cao Lanh City.
Price reference: 80,000 – 130,000 VND per pot.
Summary
Above are the specialties of Dong Thap that visitors must try when they have the opportunity to visit. Each dish carries the cultural essence of the land of pink lotus with its distinctive flavor. Is your favorite Dong Thap dish on the list? Leave a comment for everyone to refer to, and don’t forget to follow the Regional specialties section to explore culinary delights across the country!
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