One of the most famous specialties in An Giang, Vietnam, is the delicious rice noodles with shredded pork and shrimp, known as “banh tam bi Tan Chau.” The chewy and crispy rice noodles are served with a generous amount of pork rind and shrimp, topped with a drizzle of rich coconut milk, creating a unique blend of salty and sweet flavors.
The star of this dish, the rice noodles, are made from a unique blend of rice and tapioca flour, resulting in a chewy and aromatic texture when cooked. These noodles are rolled out to a similar thickness as rice vermicelli, and their simplicity belies their ability to captivate the taste buds of anyone who tries this renowned An Giang specialty.
Nuoc Cham Mountain Pancake
The Nuoc Cham Mountain Pancake, a specialty of Tinh Bien district, captivates diners with its assortment of over 20 types of wild vegetables served alongside. Local restaurants source clean and fresh vegetables from the Nuoc Cham Mountain itself, creating a diverse plate of greens. These can include leaves from mango trees, perilla, various types of lettuce, and an array of pickled vegetables.
While the pancake itself typically includes pork belly, beansprouts, and shrimp, just like in other regions, it’s the wild and exotic vegetables that give it a unique appeal. Dining on this mountain pancake offers a taste of nature, with a variety of flavors from the different types of greens, all blending together in perfect harmony.
Tung Lo Mo
Although the name may sound unfamiliar, Tung Lo Mo is actually a beloved snack in An Giang. It is a type of beef sausage made by the local Cham people, and it is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Tung Lo Mo is crafted purely from premium beef, with no preservatives or pork fat added.
During the preparation process, the Cham people use beef intestines (or tofu skin) as the outer casing, stuffing it with finely ground beef mixed with spices like pepper, garlic, and other secret ingredients. Tung Lo Mo can be enjoyed with other dishes by grilling, frying, or steaming, but the best way to savor it is by barbecuing it over hot coals.
Thot Not Cake
An Giang is renowned not only for its savory dishes but also for its sweet treats. One of the most beloved desserts in An Giang is the Thot Not Cake from Chau Doc. This cake has a vibrant yellow color, a soft and spongy texture, and a subtle fragrance from the Thot Not palm sugar.
Thot Not Cake comes in two varieties: a dry version and one served with coconut milk. Both offer a sweet and nutty flavor profile, with the dry cake providing a chewy texture and the coconut milk version a more moist and indulgent experience.
Tri Ton Green Papaya Salad
When visiting Tri Ton in An Giang, one must-try dish is the unique and mouthwatering green papaya salad. This Khmer-style salad, known as “bok-la-hong” in the Khmer language, features a combination of ingredients not found elsewhere, including crab, fermented shrimp paste, and duck eggs, along with grilled meat.
The salad is made with shredded green papaya, beans, and bean sprouts, along with a blend of lime, tomato, and fermented shrimp paste. As you slowly chew, you’ll discover a delicate sweetness from the crunchy papaya strands, complemented by the salty-yet-not-overpowering taste of the shrimp paste. The addition of lime, chili, peanut, and herbs creates a burst of flavors that harmonize beautifully.
Delicacies Made from Lía in Tan Chau
When in Tan Chau, don’t miss out on the famous snacks made from lía, a type of freshwater clam. According to the locals, lía is related to cockles but has a thinner shell. They are harvested from the river and canals and can be prepared in various ways, including lía stir-fried with garlic, lía boiled with lemongrass, and dried lía.
The most popular choice among locals, especially the younger generation, is lía stir-fried with garlic. Dried lía, on the other hand, is an acquired taste as it is made with live lía that is simply marinated in salt and sun-dried. The stir-fried version is full of flavor, and the sauce that comes out during the cooking process makes it even more delectable. Pluck a piece of lía, dip it into the dipping sauce, and pop it into your mouth to savor this rustic delicacy, infused with the aromatic flavor of cinnamon basil, a signature herb of the region.
