The Mekong Delta, a region crisscrossed by canals and rivers laden with fertile silt, is not only famous for its lush natural landscapes but also captivates visitors with its unique and flavorful cuisine, deeply rooted in local culture. Each dish here embodies the essence of the land and sky, the generosity of nature, and the genuine hospitality of the Mekong Delta people. If you’re planning a trip to explore the Mekong Delta, join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” to discover the renowned specialties of the Mekong Delta, guaranteed to delight anyone who tastes them.
Top Must-Try Mekong Delta Specialty Dishes
Mekong Delta cuisine is a delicate blend of fresh ingredients from rivers, canals, orchards, and handed-down culinary secrets. From rustic, simple dishes to elaborate and sophisticated specialties, all offer a distinctive flavor that is truly unforgettable.
1. Linh Fish Hot Pot with Sesbania sesban Flower
When mentioning the Mekong Delta’s flood season, Linh fish hot pot with Sesbania sesban flower is a must-mention – a dish that has become an icon of this region. Young linh fish, which only appear during the flood season, have sweet, tender flesh and small bones. Combined with vibrant yellow and crispy Sesbania sesban flowers, they create a uniquely irresistible flavor. The hot pot broth is refreshingly sour and subtly sweet, with a hint of chili spice, served with fresh vermicelli noodles and various raw vegetables. All these elements harmonize to create an unforgettable symphony of flavors.
A hot pot of Linh fish and Sesbania sesban flowers, a Mekong Delta specialty during the flood season
2. Mekong Delta Fermented Fish Hot Pot (Lẩu Mắm)
Fermented fish hot pot (Lẩu mắm) is one of the most famous specialties of the Mekong Delta, imbued with the distinctive flavors of the river region. The broth is made from fermented linh fish or fermented snakehead fish, creating a strong, characteristic aroma, blended with the natural sweetness of simmered bones and fresh seafood such as shrimp, fish, and squid. A special highlight of this hot pot is the rich variety of accompanying vegetables like water lilies, corkscrew swamp eel, bitter herbs, and eggplant, creating a colorful and intensely flavorful hot pot that is hard to forget.
A flavorful Mekong Delta fermented fish hot pot with a strong fermented fish aroma
3. Soc Trang Noodle Soup (Bún Nước Lèo Sóc Trăng)
Soc Trang noodle soup (Bún nước lèo Sóc Trăng) is a dish deeply rooted in Khmer culinary culture, a Mekong Delta specialty loved by many. The broth is made from fermented fish paste (mắm bò hóc), combined with pork bones and snakehead fish, creating a rich and distinctive flavor. Soc Trang noodle soup is often served with shrimp, roasted pork, fish cakes, and fresh raw vegetables. This dish is not only appealing for its unique flavor but also for the harmony of its ingredients, offering an unforgettable culinary experience.
Soc Trang noodle soup, a Khmer culinary specialty in the Mekong Delta
4. Sa Dec Dry Noodle Soup (Hủ Tiếu Khô Sa Đéc)
Sa Dec dry noodle soup (Hủ tiếu khô Sa Đéc) is one of the Mekong Delta’s most famous specialties throughout the country. The noodles are chewy, delicious, and translucent white, made from the renowned Sa Dec rice. Sa Dec dry noodle soup is special because it doesn’t use broth poured directly over the noodles; instead, the broth is served separately. The dish features a rich sauce made from minced meat, dried shrimp, and fried shallots. A bowl of dry noodle soup is full of toppings like char siu pork, pork offal, quail eggs, served with a clear, sweet soup and fresh raw vegetables, creating a delicious and nutritious meal.
Sa Dec dry noodle soup, a famous Mekong Delta specialty
5. My Tho Noodle Soup (Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho)
Also a type of noodle soup, My Tho noodle soup (Hủ tiếu Mỹ Tho) has its own unique flavor, making it an unmissable Mekong Delta specialty. The broth is simmered from pork bones and dried shrimp, giving it a naturally sweet taste. A special feature is the chewy, soft noodles that don’t get mushy, along with a variety of toppings such as minced pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and fried shallots. My Tho noodle soup is often served with bean sprouts, chives, and raw vegetables, creating an appealing dish with the rich flavors of the river region.
My Tho noodle soup, a Mekong Delta specialty with soft and chewy noodles
6. Mekong Delta Coconut Shoot Pancake (Bánh Xèo Củ Hủ Dừa)
Pancake (Bánh xèo) is a familiar dish in Southern Vietnam, but coconut shoot pancake (bánh xèo củ hủ dừa) is a unique variation, becoming a special Mekong Delta specialty. The young coconut shoot is crunchy and sweet, combined with shrimp, meat, bean sprouts, and a crispy pancake crust, creating an irresistibly delicious flavor. Coconut shoot pancakes are often served with various raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce, offering a new and exciting culinary experience.
Coconut shoot pancake, a unique Mekong Delta specialty
7. Long Xuyen Broken Rice (Cơm Tấm Long Xuyên)
Broken rice (Cơm tấm) is a popular dish in Southern Vietnam, but Long Xuyen broken rice (cơm tấm Long Xuyên) has its own characteristics, making it a Mekong Delta specialty loved by many. Long Xuyen broken rice grains are fragrant and sticky, cooked just right, served with grilled ribs, egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin, Chinese sausage, and flavorful dipping fish sauce. Especially, Long Xuyen broken rice is often served with homemade pickles, creating a harmonious and appealing flavor.
Long Xuyen broken rice, a familiar Mekong Delta specialty
8. Snakehead Fish Porridge with Bitter Herbs (Cháo Cá Lóc Rau Đắng)
Snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs (Cháo cá lóc rau đắng) is a rustic, simple dish but imbued with Mekong Delta flavor. The porridge is cooked from fragrant rice, fresh and delicious snakehead fish with firm, sweet meat, combined with bitter herbs that have a slightly bitter, refreshing taste. This porridge is not only delicious but also has cooling and detoxifying effects, making it perfect to enjoy on hot summer days.
Snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs, a rustic Mekong Delta specialty
9. Braised Perch in Clay Pot (Cá Rô Kho Tộ Miền Tây)
Braised perch in clay pot (Cá rô kho tộ) is a familiar dish in the daily meals of Mekong Delta people. Wild perch with firm, sweet meat is braised in a clay pot with fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and chili, creating a rich, fragrant, and irresistibly delicious flavor. Braised perch in clay pot served with hot white rice, boiled vegetables, or cucumber is a rice-consuming dish with a strong rural flavor.
Braised perch in clay pot, a Mekong Delta specialty with rich rural flavors
10. Coconut Weevil Larvae with Fish Sauce (Đuông Dừa Lội Mắm)
Coconut weevil larvae with fish sauce (Đuông dừa lội mắm) is a unique Mekong Delta specialty, somewhat “adventurous” but loved by many diners. Coconut weevil larvae are fatty and rich, often prepared into many different dishes, of which coconut weevil larvae dipped in fish sauce is the most popular. Fresh, live coconut weevil larvae are dropped into a bowl of delicious fish sauce, with a little fresh chili, served with raw vegetables, creating a fatty, spicy, and very unique flavor.
Coconut weevil larvae dipped in fish sauce, a unique Mekong Delta specialty
11. Chau Doc Fish Noodle Soup (Bún Cá Châu Đốc)
Chau Doc fish noodle soup (Bún cá Châu Đốc) is a famous Mekong Delta specialty from An Giang province. The broth is made from snakehead fish bones and fermented prahok fish (mắm thái), giving it a rich and distinctive flavor. Chau Doc fish noodle soup is often served with snakehead fish, roasted pork, water dropwort, and sesbania flowers, creating a colorful bowl of noodles with appealing flavors.
Chau Doc fish noodle soup, an An Giang Mekong Delta specialty
12. Grilled Chicken Ô Thum (Gà Nướng Ô Thum)
Grilled chicken Ô Thum (Gà nướng Ô Thum) is a famous Mekong Delta specialty from the Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) region of An Giang. Free-range chickens raised in the mountains have firm, fragrant, and delicious meat, marinated with special spices and grilled over charcoal, creating a fragrant and appealing flavor. Grilled chicken Ô Thum is often served with sticky rice, salt, pepper, and lemon dip, and raw vegetables, a must-try dish when visiting An Giang.
Grilled chicken Ô Thum, a Bay Nui An Giang Mekong Delta specialty
13. Grilled Snakehead Fish Wrapped in Young Lotus Leaf (Cá Lóc Nướng Trui Cuốn Lá Sen Non)
Grilled snakehead fish wrapped in young lotus leaf (Cá lóc nướng trui cuốn lá sen non) is a Mekong Delta specialty imbued with rural flavors. Wild snakehead fish is grilled directly in rice straw, preserving its natural sweetness and fragrance. Grilled snakehead fish meat is wrapped with young lotus leaves, rice paper, raw vegetables, and dipped in sweet and sour tamarind fish sauce, creating a rustic dish with rich rural flavors.
Grilled snakehead fish wrapped in young lotus leaf, a Mekong Delta specialty with rural flavors
14. Ba Khia Salad (Gỏi Ba Khía)
Ba Khia salad (Gỏi ba khía) is a familiar Mekong Delta specialty, especially during the ba khia crab breeding season. Fresh and delicious ba khia crabs are made into a sour, spicy, salty, and sweet salad, combined with green papaya, Vietnamese mint, and roasted peanuts, creating an appealing and irresistible flavor. Ba Khia salad is often used as an appetizer or a snack with drinks, very popular in the Mekong Delta.
Ba Khia salad, a sour, spicy, salty, and sweet Mekong Delta specialty
15. Crispy Rice Crust with Braised Pork and Shrimp Dip (Cơm Cháy Kho Quẹt)
Crispy rice crust with braised pork and shrimp dip (Cơm cháy kho quẹt) is a rustic, simple dish but a Mekong Delta specialty loved by many. Crispy rice crust is made from leftover rice pressed thin and deep-fried until crispy, served with a rich and flavorful braised pork and shrimp dip. The dip is made from pork belly, dried shrimp, fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and chili, creating a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors. Crispy rice crust with braised pork and shrimp dip is often served with boiled vegetables, a simple but very satisfying dish.
Crispy rice crust with braised pork and shrimp dip, a rustic Mekong Delta specialty
16. Tapioca Noodle with Shredded Pork Skin (Bánh Tằm Bì)
Tapioca noodle with shredded pork skin (Bánh tằm bì) is a familiar Mekong Delta specialty, especially in the southwestern provinces. Tapioca noodles are made from rice flour, with large, soft, and chewy strands, served with shredded pork skin, rich coconut milk, fragrant scallion oil, and sweet and sour fish sauce. Tapioca noodle with shredded pork skin is a popular breakfast or afternoon snack, bringing a rich and distinctive Mekong Delta flavor.
Tapioca noodle with shredded pork skin, a familiar Mekong Delta specialty
17. Bay Nui Beef (Bò Bảy Núi)
Bay Nui Beef (Bò Bảy Núi) is a famous Mekong Delta specialty from the Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) region of An Giang. Free-range cows raised in the mountains have firm, sweet, and fragrant meat. Bay Nui beef is prepared into many appealing dishes such as grilled beef, stir-fried beef, beef hot pot, etc. Among them, grilled beef is the most popular dish, often served with raw vegetables, rice paper, and a special dipping sauce.
Bay Nui Beef, an An Giang Mekong Delta specialty
18. Bần Hot Pot (Lẩu Bần)
Bần hot pot (Lẩu bần) is a unique Mekong Delta specialty, with the characteristic sour taste of bần fruit (Malacca apple). The hot pot broth is made from ripe bần fruit, combined with fresh coconut water, tomatoes, and other spices, creating a harmonious and appealing sweet and sour flavor. Bần hot pot is often served with Mekong Delta specialty fish such as basa fish, tilapia, snakehead fish, along with raw vegetables and fresh vermicelli noodles.
Bần hot pot, a unique Mekong Delta specialty
19. Grilled Snails with Green Pepper (Ốc Nướng Tiêu Xanh)
Grilled snails with green pepper (Ốc nướng tiêu xanh) is a snack and appetizer specialty of the Mekong Delta loved by many. Areola babylon snails or Sweet snails are grilled over charcoal, fragrant, with chewy, crunchy, and sweet snail meat, combined with the spicy aroma of green pepper and sweet and sour fish sauce, creating an irresistibly appealing flavor. Grilled snails with green pepper is an ideal dish to enjoy with friends and family on weekend evenings.
Grilled snails with green pepper, an appealing Mekong Delta specialty
20. Cai Rang Grilled Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Nướng Cái Răng)
Cai Rang grilled fermented pork roll (Nem nướng Cái Răng) is a famous Mekong Delta specialty from Can Tho. The fermented pork roll is made from fresh and delicious pork, marinated with rich spices, grilled over charcoal, with a golden brown color and fragrant aroma. Cai Rang grilled fermented pork roll is often served with rice vermicelli sheets (bánh hỏi), raw vegetables, green bananas, star fruit, and a special dipping sauce, creating a harmonious and appealing flavor.
Cai Rang grilled fermented pork roll, a Can Tho Mekong Delta specialty
21. Can Tho Duck Cooked with Fermented Bean Curd (Vịt Nấu Chao Cần Thơ)
Can Tho duck cooked with fermented bean curd (Vịt nấu chao Cần Thơ) is a famous Mekong Delta specialty from Can Tho, voted by many as one of the most delicious dishes in Vietnam. Muscovy duck is carefully prepared and cooked with fermented bean curd, taro, and duck blood, creating a rich, fatty, and irresistibly delicious flavor. Duck cooked with fermented bean curd is often served with fresh vermicelli noodles, water spinach, banana blossoms, and dipped in fermented bean curd sauce, a must-try dish when visiting Can Tho.
Can Tho duck cooked with fermented bean curd, a famous Mekong Delta specialty
22. Roasted Field Rat in Clay Pot (Chuột Đồng Quay Lu)
Roasted field rat in clay pot (Chuột đồng quay lu) is a unique Mekong Delta specialty, somewhat “exotic” but loved by many gourmets. Field rats are caught from the fields, cleaned, marinated with spices, and roasted in a clay pot, creating a fragrant flavor, with chewy, sweet rat meat and crispy skin. Roasted field rat in a clay pot is often served with raw vegetables, cucumbers, and dipped in salt, pepper, and lemon, a unique snack with drinks, imbued with rural flavor.
Roasted field rat in clay pot, a unique Mekong Delta specialty
Conclusion
The Mekong Delta is not only an attractive destination for its beautiful natural landscapes but also a culinary paradise with countless unique specialties, imbued with rustic flavors. From hot, flavorful hot pots to fragrant grilled dishes, and sour and spicy salads, each dish is a delightful and unforgettable culinary experience. Come to the Mekong Delta and explore, enjoy these wonderful specialties for yourself, and you will surely have memorable culinary experiences on your journey to discover the river region.