Characteristics of the Mekong Delta’s cuisine

The cuisine of the Mekong Delta also reflects the characteristics of the people there. Practicality is among the most outstanding characteristics of people in the Mekong Delta and is represented in food quality concepts. In the Mekong Delta, people believe that food must satisfy 3 qualities: delicious, attractive, and good for health.

People in the Mekong Delta have special tastes for strong flavors. Due to their strong and open-minded characteristics, they prefer strong flavors. Unlike people in the north, who prefer harmony between flavors or promote light and cool flavors, people in the Mekong Delta always favor extreme flavors: extremely salty, and extremely spicy … They think that only extreme flavors bring extreme taste and extreme freshness.

Top 5 Must-Try Specialties in the Mekong Delta Region

Fish sauce hotpot 

When talking about Mekong Delta specialties, we must mention fish sauce hotpot, a specialty dish with the typical characteristics of the Mekong Delta. This dish is especially delicious and attractive during the flood season.

Vietnamese fish sauce is the main ingredient to make this delectable hotpot. In addition, the accompanying wild vegetable sesban flower, and land lotus flower... are all the best products of the flood season. Fish sauce hotpot is mouth-watering because of the rich blend of ingredients from many types of fish, meat, and vegetables, creating an unforgettable flavor.

Savory broth noodle soup

It is one of the specialties of Tra Vinh Province. A Khmer noodle dish made from fermented beef and many other types of fish served with a variety of raw vegetables, fried spring rolls, and roasted pork. It is known that fermented beef is cooked with climbing perch, snakehead fish, straw mushrooms, and possibly pork bones, creating a rich, fragrant mixture.

This dish combines the quintessence of the three ethnic groups Kinh - Khmer - Chinese. This is reflected in the ingredients, which are typical of the three ethnic groups. Because of the skillfulness in seasoning, even those afraid of the strong smell of fish sauce must not hesitate to pick up chopsticks to enjoy a bowl of steaming noodle soup with its unique aroma.

Phu Quoc stirring rice noodles

Phu Quoc stirring rice noodles can stimulate the taste buds of even the most demanding diners. This famous specialty dish includes squid, shrimp cakes, and fish cakes... enjoyed in a very unique way, a must-try dish when visiting Pearl Island.

When asked about the origin of the name, Phu Quoc people said that it comes from the fact that this noodle dish must be eaten with a homemade dipping sauce. Seasoning powder, sugar, kumquat, and ground chili are put in a bowl and stir well until it thickens, the spices are completely dissolved, and it turns orange-red. 

An interesting point is diners will have to take and stir the spices in a bowl to create their dipping sauce, balanced according to their taste, and the restaurant staff will guide you to mix the dipping sauce to be delicious.

Long Xuyen Fish Noodles

Long Xuyen Fish Noodles is one of the specialties of the Mekong River Delta. The sweet taste of the broth with the aroma of wormwood, each piece of fish, seasoned with just the right amount of spices, all blend to create an extremely delicious, irresistible dish. 

This dish originated from Cambodia, followed a group of Khmer people to Vietnam, and stayed in An Giang Province. Since then, the fish noodle dish has been adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes. Over time, this dish has become an indispensable part of the An Giang people in particular and Mekong Delta locals in general.

Silkworm cake

According to the locals' funny explanation, the name of the cake comes from the long, tapered shape of the noodles, which are rolled and shaped like silkworms. Silkworm cake is a Can Tho specialty to buy as a gift with a very special flavor, it is always guaranteed to be hot because it is steamed right on a charcoal stove. 

Diners who come to buy will be able to see with their own eyes the shiny, delicious, and attractive rice vermicelli. It is made from a mixture of flour, pressed in a mold, and then steamed. 

Meanwhile, boiled pork skin is soft then thinly sliced ​​and shredded, and finally mixed with other ingredients. To enjoy, people will arrange silkworm cake on a plate with cucumber, herbs, fatty coconut milk, scallion oil, and mixed with sweet and sour chili fish sauce.

Overall, coming to the Mekong Delta, you will enjoy a giant store of food verified by various materials, and diversified ways of processing, characterized by the strong characteristics of people in Mekong Delta.

The prosperous land of the Mekong Delta brings a lot of fresh ingredients for making many delicious dishes. Each province has some specialties which will surely fascinate tourists’ flavor.