Mekong Delta Cuisine: What to Eat?

The Mekong Delta, a fertile and verdant region of Vietnam, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and winding waterways, as well as its rich and diverse Mekong Delta cuisine . Mekong Delta dishes are a true feast for the senses, showcasing fresh, local ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and bold flavors. In this blog, we invite you to explore the culinary delights of the Mekong Delta, highlighting the most iconic dishes that reflect the culture and soul of this fascinating region.

1. Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake)

Vietnamese Mekong Delta pancakes are large, crispy pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions, served with fresh herbs and fish sauce for dipping. These golden, flavorful pancakes are a prime example of Mekong Delta cuisine , offering a perfect blend of textures and flavors, combining the crunch of the pancake with the tenderness of the fillings.

Made with rice flour, turmeric, and coconut water, the bánh xèo batter gets its distinctive yellow color and slightly sweet flavor from these ingredients. Baked until crispy, the crepe is then filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts before being folded in half.

Banh xeo are served with an assortment of fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, Thai basil, and lettuce, along with crisp vegetables like cucumbers and shredded carrots. Fish sauce for dipping, made with sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and fresh chilies, adds a spicy kick and depth of flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients. TasteAtlas has released its ranking of the world's 85 best crepes, with the crispy Vietnamese crepe (Bánh xèo) coming in at number 32, based on 6,339 reviews collected through February 5, 2024.

2. Banh khot (mini crispy Vietnamese pancake)

Bánh khọt are small, crispy Vietnamese pancakes, originating from southern Vietnam and particularly popular in the Mekong Delta. These delicious bites are prized for their crispy exterior and soft interior, often topped with shrimp, green onions, and sometimes dried shrimp powder.

The batter for bánh khọt , a specialty of Mekong Delta cuisine , is made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, giving it a golden yellow color and a slightly sweet flavor. The pancakes are traditionally topped with shrimp, green onions, and sometimes dried shrimp powder. The filling is added to the batter before cooking. Bánh khọt are cooked in a special cast iron pan with several dimples, similar to the one used for Japanese takoyaki . The pan is heated with oil, which gives the pancakes their crispy texture and savory taste.

Bánh khọt are served with an assortment of fresh vegetables and herbs, such as lettuce, mustard greens, mint, and cilantro. They are accompanied by fish sauce ( nước mắm ) for dipping, often made with sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and fresh chilies. Each bite is wrapped in a lettuce leaf with fresh herbs, then dipped in the fish sauce, providing a burst of flavor with every bite.

3. Ca loc nuong trui (Grilled snakehead)

Ca is a whole grilled snakefish (cá lóc), often served with fresh herbs, rice noodles, and spicy fish sauce. The simplicity of cooking over a wood fire gives the fish a delicious smoky flavor. This dish is loved not only for its unique flavor but also for its traditional preparation process, which embodies the essence of rural Vietnamese cuisine. The fresh herbs and spicy sauce perfectly complement the taste of the grilled fish, making it a memorable dining experience.

The preparation process begins by cleaning and preparing the snakehead, which is then grilled whole over an open flame or in a pit dug in the ground. The traditional method involves covering the fish with straw or dried leaves, which are then lit. The slow, even cooking helps retain the fish's moisture while giving it a tender, juicy texture and a distinctive smoky flavor.

Cá lóc nướng trui is usually accompanied by various elements that enhance its flavor and bring freshness to the dish: an assortment of herbs such as mint, coriander, Thai basil and other local herbs, light and delicate rice vermicelli noodles, crunchy vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce and carrots, as well as rice cakes to wrap the fish, herbs and vegetables.

The spicy fish sauce, made with fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and fresh chilies, is essential to this dish. It adds a depth of flavor and a spicy kick that enhances the taste of the grilled fish. Each bite of grilled fish, wrapped in a rice paper with fresh herbs and dipped in the spicy sauce, offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. This dish is a true embodiment of Mekong Delta cuisine : simple, authentic, and deeply rooted in local traditions.

4. Lâu mam (fermented fish fondue)

Lau mam is a fermented fish hot pot typical of the Mekong Delta. This rich and flavorful dish is served with a variety of vegetables, seafood, meat, and rice noodles. The broth, made with fermented fish paste, offers a unique and intense depth of flavor characteristic of Delta cuisine.

Lẩu mắm is a convivial dish, often shared with family or friends. It is dipped with fresh vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, banana blossoms, sesbania flowers (bông điên điển) and aromatic herbs such as Thai basil and coriander. Seafood such as shrimp, squid and fish are also essential, as are cuts of pork or beef.

This dish perfectly embodies local cuisine, reflecting the abundance of natural resources in the Mekong Delta and the richness of its culinary traditions.

5. Lâu vit nâu chao (Duck Fondue with Fermented Tofu)

Lẩu vịt nấu chao is a duck hotpot prepared with chao, a fermented tofu paste, typical of Vietnamese cuisine. This rich and flavorful dish is particularly appreciated for its complex aromas and umami flavor.

The duck is marinated with chao, garlic, ginger, and sometimes additional spices, then simmered in a fragrant broth made from fermented bean curd paste. The broth is often enriched with ingredients such as coconut milk, onions, and chilies, which add depth and richness to the dish.

Lau Vịt Nấu Chao is typically served with a variety of fresh vegetables and rice noodles. Vegetables often include Asian greens, mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage. These vegetables are added to the hot broth at the table, where they cook quickly, absorbing the broth's rich flavors.

This dish embodies the art of Mekong Delta cuisine , combining fresh ingredients with traditional cooking techniques to create a meal that is both comforting and memorable. Lẩu vịt nấu chao is a true celebration of Vietnamese flavors, offering an authentic and delicious dining experience.

6. Lâu Ca Keo (Goby Fondue)

The Mekong Delta, located in southwest Vietnam, is a region blessed by nature with an abundance of natural resources. This region is renowned for its numerous species of river fish, among which goby occupies a prominent place in the local diet. Lẩu cá kèo is a signature dish of this region, appreciated for its fragrant broth and fresh ingredients.

A specific ingredient in lẩu cá kèo is giang leaf, which adds a distinctive tangy note to the broth, enhancing the flavors of the dish. Lẩu cá kèo is typically served with a variety of fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, banana blossoms, Asian greens, and mushrooms, along with rice noodles.

This convivial dish is often shared with family or friends, each person customizing their bowl with vegetables and noodles of their choice. Lẩu cá kèo embodies the richness and diversity of Mekong Delta cuisine, offering a memorable dining experience that celebrates the bounty of the region's natural resources.

7. Bo Bay Mon Nui Sam (7-Course Beef from Mount Sam)

The 7-Course Mount Sam Beef is a signature culinary specialty of the Bay Nui region in An Giang Province, southwest Vietnam. This region, famous for its mountainous landscapes and rich cultural heritage influenced by the Cham and Khmer communities, offers exceptional quality beef thanks to traditional free-range farming. The 7-Course Beef feast highlights the diversity and richness of local culinary preparations: from grilled dishes to fragrant marinades, from delicate carpaccios to savory dumplings and deeply flavored stews. Accompanied by rice cakes, fresh herbs, and homemade sauces, each dish offers a balance of textures and flavors, ranging from crunchy to melt-in-your-mouth. This culinary experience celebrates Vietnamese hospitality and the art of sharing a meal, while revealing the rich gastronomic traditions of the Bay Nui highlands.

8. Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu (Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish)

Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu, or Crispy Fried Elephant Ear Fish, is a culinary treasure from southern Vietnam, prized for its impressive presentation and exquisite flavors. This dish showcases a whole fish that is carefully prepared and fried until its skin is golden and crispy, while preserving the tender, juicy flesh inside.

Its unique preparation, where the fish is fried without being cut, offers a captivating visual and taste experience. When served, the fish immediately catches the eye with its crispy texture and intact silhouette. To accompany this delectable creation, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and rice paper allow diners to create personalized rolls. Dipped in a tangy fish sauce, these rolls reveal a perfect blend of flavors and textures, between the delicacy of the fish and the liveliness of the herbs and sauce.

This dish embodies the art of Vietnamese cuisine, where the simplicity of ingredients is transformed into a culinary symphony thanks to precise techniques and a harmony of flavors.

9. Rice noodles (Hu Tiêu) from My Tho

Mỹ Tho rice noodles (Hủ Tiếu) are a signature dish of this Mekong Delta city in Vietnam. This regional version of Hủ Tiếu is particularly prized for its unique texture and distinct taste, making it a staple of local cuisine. These noodles are characterized by their firmness and lightness, perfectly absorbing the rich flavors of a clear, savory broth made from pork bones slowly simmered with spices to provide a subtle, comforting base.

The dish is complemented by generous garnishes: juicy pieces of roasted pork, shrimp, squid, and fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, all enhanced by aromatic herbs like cilantro and chives. A squeeze of lime and a touch of chili pepper spice things up, allowing diners to adjust the flavors to their own tastes. My Tho noodles celebrate the culinary richness of the Mekong Delta, harmoniously blending textures and flavors to offer a unique and authentic dining experience.

10. Che Buoi An Giang (Grapefruit Dessert)

Chè bưởi is a traditional Vietnamese dessert from An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta. Prized for its crisp texture and sweet, refreshing taste, it features grapefruit pulp and mung beans.

The white part of the grapefruit peel is prepared to remove its bitterness, cut into small pieces, and cooked with sugar for a crunchy texture. The mung beans are cooked until tender. Tapioca pearls, added for their elasticity, are cooked separately and mixed into the mixture. The dessert is sweetened with cane sugar and can be flavored with vanilla or pandan.

Served chilled, often with crushed ice, chè bưởi offers a symphony of textures: the crunch of grapefruit pulp, the tenderness of mung beans, the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, and the elasticity of tapioca pearls. Enjoyed year-round, it exemplifies Vietnamese cuisine's ingenuity in creating unique delicacies from local ingredients. This dessert is a refreshing way to end a meal, offering an authentic and memorable taste experience of the An Giang region.

Discovering the cuisine of the Mekong Delta is an exceptional culinary adventure that reveals the richness and diversity of this captivating region. These delicious dishes are not only a pleasure for the palate, but also a testament to Vietnamese ingenuity and culinary traditions. They illustrate the judicious use of local ingredients and cooking techniques passed down from generation to generation.

We hope this blog has inspired you to explore and savor the culinary treasures of this region. May each dish bring you as much pleasure and discovery as those who prepared them with passion and skill. Bon appétit and see you soon for new gourmet adventures in the heart of Vietnam! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us !