The Tasty Treasures of Can Tho: A Guide to the City’s Top 30 Delights

Cần Thơ, a vibrant city in the Mekong Delta, is renowned for its delectable array of specialties that tantalize the taste buds of both locals and travelers alike. Embark on a culinary journey through the city and uncover a treasure trove of flavors with the 30 best Cần Thơ specialties that will leave you craving for more.

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When traveling to Can Tho, you will not only be captivated by the gentle beauty of the river, the lush orchards, and the warm and hospitable spirit of the locals, but you will also be impressed by the diverse cuisine. From rustic dishes bearing the marks of the early settlement era to modern and creative culinary delights, Bach Hoa Xanh will take you on a journey to discover these specialties that you can buy as gifts for your family and friends.

1. Introduction to Can Tho Tourism

Can Tho captivates visitors with its simple yet dreamy beauty of the river region, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits. Famous landmarks here have been immortalized in songs and poems by many authors, such as “Thương về chợ nổi, qua bến Ninh Kiều”.

If you are a lover of river culture and appreciate simplicity and peace, Can Tho is the perfect choice for you.

Introduction to Can Tho Tourism

2. Top 30 Can Tho Specialties to Try and Buy as Gifts

Specialties to Try in Can Tho

Grilled Pork Sausage

Grilled Pork Sausage

Address:
– Thanh Van Grilled Pork Sausage – 17 Dai Lo Hoa Binh, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Ba Sau Grilled Pork Sausage – Nguyen Trai, Le Binh, Cai Rang, Can Tho
– Anh Map Grilled Pork Sausage – So 18 Duong Nguyen An Ninh, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: Approximately 40,000 VND – 60,000 VND/serving

This dish is made from fresh pork, finely minced and marinated with spices, then molded into round patties and grilled over charcoal, releasing an irresistible aroma.

It tastes best when served with rice paper, green banana, and star fruit.

Banh Cong

Banh Cong

Address:
– Banh Cong Co Ut Nguyen Trai – 38 Duong Ly Tu Trong, An Cu, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Hue Vien Restaurant – 32 Duong De Tham, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: Around 10,000 VND – 35,000 VND/serving

Another specialty of the Western region that you shouldn’t miss is Banh Cong. This unique dish features a golden, crispy, and greasy exterior with a generous filling of mung beans, shrimp, and pork.

It is best enjoyed with herbal fish sauce, pickled vegetables, and cucumber.

Duck Hot Pot with Fermented Bean Curd

Duck Hot Pot with Fermented Bean Curd

Address:
– Thanh Giao Duck Hot Pot with Fermented Bean Curd – Hem 1, so 1/8 duong Ly Tu Trong, An Phu, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Kim Lien Quan – Hem 1 Ly Tu Trong, P. Tan An, Quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Cam Tu Restaurant –  So 1, duong Ly Tu Trong, An Phu, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: Around 150,000 VND – 250,000 VND

If you love hot pot, you must not miss this famous and well-loved dish. Duck meat is marinated with delicious fermented bean curd and other spices before being cooked in a hot pot.

It is typically served with duck blood, quail eggs, and vegetables, and eaten with rice vermicelli, rice noodles, and fresh herbs.

Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo

Address:
– Banh Xeo 7 Toi Restaurant – 45 Hoang Quoc Viet, An Binh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Ngoc Ngan Banh Xeo Restaurant – 74 Le Loi, Cai Khe, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 50,000 VND – 80,000 VND/piece

It would be a great pity if you visited the Western region and missed out on Banh Xeo. This dish is a true representation of Western cuisine with its golden and crispy crepe, and a generous filling that can be made with meat, shrimp, beans, and more.

It is best enjoyed with fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and a sweet and sour fish sauce dip.

Com Chay Kho Quet

Com Chay Kho Quet

Address:
– Com Chay Kho Quet Happy – Ngo Van So, phuong Tan An, quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Com Chay Di Ba – 43 Duong Mau Than, Xuan Khanh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: Approximately 30,000 VND – 50,000 VND/serving

This is a simple and familiar dish to many families, but it has been elevated with a more elaborate and tasty preparation.

Com Chay Kho Quet is very appealing, featuring hot and crispy rice crackers that are thin and golden, best enjoyed with a sweet and savory dip. It is so delicious that you will keep wanting more.

Mum Hot Pot

Mum Hot Pot

Address: 89 Duong 3/2, Quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Lau Mum 75 Can Tho – 1 Tran Viet Chau, phuong Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Can Tho Mum Hot Pot – 162/18 mat tien duong Tran Ngoc Que, Xuan Khanh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 150,000 VND – 200,000 VND

If you are from the Western region, you must have heard of and tasted the distinctive and flavorful Mum Hot Pot. This hot pot usually uses mum ca linh (a type of fish sauce made from freshwater fish) with a unique taste, and is served with snails, shrimp, water spinach, and eaten with rice vermicelli or noodles.

Bần Hot Pot

Bần Hot Pot

Address: Du lich Song Phu Sa – Lo so 1, KDC Hung Phu 1, phuong Hung Phu, quan Cai Rang, Can Tho

Price: About 150,000 VND – 200,000 VND

Bần Hot Pot is a specialty and a familiar dish to the people of Can Tho.

It gets its name from the use of ripe bần fruit, which gives the broth a sweet and sour taste and a distinctive aroma. It is cooked with fresh fish and water spinach and served with rice vermicelli or noodles.

Banh Tam Bi

Banh Tam Bi

Address: Banh Tam Xiu Mai Tan Trao – So 9 Tan Trao, Tan An, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 15,000 – 20,000 VND/serving

Banh Tam Bi is one of the specialties that you shouldn’t miss.

It features thick and hot rice noodles served with shredded pork skin mixed with rice powder, crushed garlic, and fried garlic, and topped with a special sauce.

Oysters Grilled with Green Peppercorns

Oysters Grilled with Green Peppercorns

Address:
– La Ca Restaurant – 121 Tran Van Kheo, Cai Khe, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Hoa Su Restaurant – Vong Xoay Con Cai Khe, Le Loi, Quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 70,000 VND/plate

If you love eating oysters, you shouldn’t miss the famous oyster restaurants and eateries in Can Tho. The oysters are carefully selected, cleaned, and parboiled before being grilled over charcoal and seasoned with green peppercorns, creating an irresistible aroma.

The meat remains crispy and sweet, absorbing the spicy and tasty seasoning.

Grilled Snakehead Fish

Grilled Snakehead Fish

Address:
– Ca Loc Nuong Man Restaurant – 184 Huynh Cuong, An Cu, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho
– Dong Xanh Family Restaurant – 211 Nguyen Van Linh, Quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 150,000 – 300,000 VND/fish

Grilled Snakehead Fish is a simple and rustic dish that you should try when visiting the Western provinces, especially Can Tho.

After cleaning the fish, it is skewered with a bamboo stick and grilled over burning straw, resulting in a charred and aromatic skin, while the meat inside remains soft and sweet. It is best enjoyed with salt and chili dip or sweet and sour fish sauce.

Grilled Copperhead Snake

Grilled Copperhead Snake

Address: Lau 7, khach san Ninh Kieu 2 – 03 Dai lo Hoa Binh, quan Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Price: About 100,000 – 180,000 VND/piece (depending on weight)

Grilled Copperhead Snake is one of the top specialties of Can Tho. The snake

Frequently asked questions

There are numerous delicious dishes to try in Can Tho, a vibrant city in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Some highlights include ‘Canh Chua Ca Sac’, a sour soup made with a rare species of fish found in the Mekong River, ‘Banh Xeo’, a savory Vietnamese pancake filled with pork and shrimp, and ‘Com Tam’, broken rice served with grilled pork chops and a variety of side dishes.

For a true taste of Can Tho’s famous ‘Com Tam’, head to ‘Com Tam Thuy Troi Cho’ located near the Can Tho Museum. This humble eatery serves up a mean plate of broken rice with all the trimmings, including a special homemade fish sauce that takes the dish to the next level.

Can Tho offers a plethora of unique street food options. Sample the ‘Bot Chien’, a dish of fried rice flour cakes topped with a fried egg and spring onions, or try the ‘Oc Nuong Xa’, grilled snails marinated in lemongrass and served with a spicy dipping sauce. For a sweet treat, don’t miss the ‘Che Ba Ba’, a dessert made with bananas, tapioca pearls, and coconut milk.

Absolutely! Can Tho caters to a range of dietary preferences. For vegetarian options, try the ‘Banh Canh Nuoc’, a clear noodle soup packed with vegetables and served with a side of fried tofu. ‘Banh Hoi’, thin rice noodles served with a variety of fresh herbs and a dipping sauce, is another great choice for vegetarians.

To quench your thirst, pair your meal with a refreshing glass of ‘Tra Da Chanh’, Vietnamese iced tea with a twist of lemon, or try the ‘Sinh To’, a fruity smoothie made with fresh tropical fruits like mango, dragonfruit, or avocado.
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