Bình Phước is a province in the South-Eastern region of Vietnam, boasting the largest area in the region. The province is home to a diverse range of ethnic minorities, contributing to a vibrant culinary culture with numerous unique dishes. In this article, we will introduce you to the top 15 most famous specialties of Binh Phuoc that you should not miss.
1. An Introduction to Binh Phuoc Tourism
Binh Phuoc is a charming province in the South-Eastern region of Vietnam, attracting visitors with its pristine and rustic beauty. When visiting Binh Phuoc, don’t forget to explore the following destinations: Bu Gia Map National Park, Quang Minh Pagoda, Ba Ra Mountain, Bu Lach Grassland, Dau Tieng Lake, and Chou Shin Tourist Area.
An overview of Binh Phuoc tourism
2. Top 15 Binh Phuoc Specialties to Try
Specialties to Try When Visiting Binh Phuoc
Cashew Salad
One of the must-try dishes when in Binh Phuoc is the cashew salad. The unique combination of cashews instead of peanuts with shrimp, pork, and herbs creates a balanced and incredibly delicious dish.
Moreover, this is a very affordable local specialty that all visitors to Binh Phuoc should try.
- Reference price: Around 100,000 VND/serving.
Suggested place to buy:
- Mai Vang 68: No. 8 Nguyen Trai, Tan Thien, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Cashew Salad
Crispy Milk Cicadas
You don’t have to go to Cambodia to enjoy this specialty, as you can find it right here in Binh Phuoc Province. This is a unique dish of the local Khmer people, featuring a crispy outer layer and a creamy inner texture, combined with a tangy sauce, creating an irresistible flavor.
- Reference price: Around 150,000 VND/kg.
Suggested place to buy:
- Dong Xoai Market: 11 No Trang Long Street, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Crispy Milk Cicadas
Bamboo Rice
You don’t have to travel to the mountains of the Northwest to enjoy this specialty, as it is also available in Binh Phuoc Province. The sticky and aromatic rice, served hot from the bamboo tubes, will captivate any diner. It is especially delicious when paired with grilled pork and local wild vegetables.
- Reference price: Around 20,000 VND/serving.
Suggested places to buy:
- Huong Phu Sa Restaurant: Tan Phu, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
- Happy Garden Restaurant: KP5, Tan Phu, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Bamboo Rice
Thut Soup
To truly experience the cuisine of Binh Phuoc, you should not miss the Thut Soup. This dish combines wild vegetables, river crab meat, shrimp, and snails, all cooked inside bamboo tubes until soft. Hence, the dish is named “Thut Soup,” and despite its simplicity, it embodies the authentic flavors of the region.
- Reference price: 50,000 – 70,000 VND/serving.
Suggested place to buy:
- Binh Phuoc Jungle Delicacies: 172 Nguyen Hue, Tan Thien Ward, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Thut Soup
Dong Xoai Fermented Pork
When in the Dong Xoai area of Binh Phuoc Province, you must try the fermented pork dish. This dish deserves a ten out of ten for its flavor and a hundred for its quality. The combination of local pork with pickled vegetables and a spicy fish sauce dip creates a sweet and spicy flavor that is indescribably delicious.
- Reference price: Around 350,000 VND/set.
Suggested place to buy:
- Fermented Pork: Luong The Vinh, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Dong Xoai Fermented Pork
Stir-fried Fern with Meat
Binh Phuoc is blessed with abundant natural gifts, and one of its specialties is the stir-fried fern with meat. Whether you choose to cook it with pork or beef, the dish is incredibly tasty and addictive, with a rustic yet captivating flavor that will keep you wanting more.
- Reference price: Around 55,000 VND/serving.
Suggested place to buy:
- Com Nieu Anh Em: Thanh Binh Residential Area, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Stir-fried Fern with Meat
Binh Phuoc Specialties to Buy as Gifts
Salted Roasted Cashews
When it comes to Binh Phuoc, one cannot forget the vast cashew gardens. The roasted cashews with a hint of salt create a balanced flavor that is both simple and memorable. This specialty truly showcases the unique taste of Binh Phuoc and will leave a lasting impression on any visitor.
Reference price: 135,000 – 180,000 VND/kg.
Suggested places to buy:
- Binh Phuoc Anh Khoi Salted Roasted Cashews: 367, Hamlet 2, Loc Dien, Loc Ninh, Binh Phuoc.
- Farm Store: 20 Binh Trung Hamlet, Nghia Binh, Bu Dang, Binh Phuoc.
- Binh Phuoc Xuan Salted Roasted Cashews: No. 56, Hamlet 8, Thong Nhat, Bu Dang, Binh Phuoc.
Salted Roasted Cashews
Cashew Cake
The locals of Binh Phuoc have creatively combined the region’s abundant cashews with other readily available ingredients to create a simple yet captivating cake. The combination of common ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and the star ingredient, cashews, results in a soft and crunchy cake that is a must-buy souvenir for both locals and tourists.
Reference price: Around 200,000 VND/kg.
Suggested place to buy:
- Binh Phuoc Cashew Cake: Tan Phu, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Cashew Cake
Free-range Pork
The free-range pork in Binh Phuoc, mainly from Soc Bombo, has a natural diet and plenty of exercises in the forests and fields, resulting in sweet and firm meat with less fat. This specialty can be prepared in various dishes like “heo gia cay” (spicy pork), grilled pork, or bought as a gift.
Reference price: Around 200,000 VND/kg.
Suggested places to buy:
- Tuan Phuc Free-range Pork: 32 Le Quy Don Street, Phuoc Thien Ward, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
- Soc Bombo Market: Soc Bombo Martyrs’ Cemetery, DT760 Road, Bom Bo, Bu Dang, Binh Phuoc.
Free-range Pork
Coffee
Binh Phuoc is not only known for its cashews but also for its high-quality coffee beans. The coffee here has a distinct aroma and a rich, captivating flavor. Visitors can buy processed coffee products like weasel coffee or ground coffee as gifts, which are sure to impress the recipients.
Reference price: Around 210,000 VND/kg.
Suggested place to buy:
- The King Cafe: 71 Hung Vuong, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Coffee
Ma Duong Wax Butterfruit
In recent years, with improvements in cultivation technology, the Ma Duong wax butterfruit of Binh Phuoc has gained recognition and earned the trust of even the most demanding customers. If you have the chance to visit Binh Phuoc, don’t miss out on this specialty.
Reference price: 50,000 – 60,000 VND/kg.
Suggested place to buy:
- Dong Xoai Market: 11 No Trang Long Street, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
Ma Duong Wax Butterfruit
Binh Phuoc Can Wine
You don’t have to travel to the highlands of the Central Highlands to enjoy the famous can wine. Binh Phuoc’s can wine has a strong aroma and a unique blend of bitter, spicy, and sweet flavors from forest leaves. It is a meaningful gift for any occasion.
Reference price: Around 250,000 VND/jug.
Suggested place to buy:
- Family of Elder Diep Lien: Bom Bo Village, Bu Dang, Binh Phuoc.
Binh Phuoc Can Wine
Thanh Luong Cowhide Longan
Your trip to Binh Phuoc would be incomplete without trying the Thanh Luong cowhide longan. Grown in a favorable natural environment, these longans are free from pesticides and fertilizers. They are large, with thick flesh, small seeds, and a sweet taste. This is one of the province’s renowned clean agricultural products.
Reference price: Around 20,000 VND/kg.
- Dong Xoai Market: 11 No Trang Long Street, Tan Binh, Dong Xoai, Binh Phuoc.
- Thanh Luong Market: Thanh Luong, Binh Long, Binh Phuoc.
– Bù Nho Wine: Crafted from local grapes, this wine has a rich flavor and is often enjoyed during special occasions.
– Bù Đăng Sticky Rice: A signature dish of the Stieng ethnic group, this sticky rice is cooked in a bamboo tube, infusing it with a unique aroma and flavor.
– Chilli Salt: A spicy and tangy condiment made from local chillies and salt, perfect for adding a kick to any meal.
– Bù Gia Mập Pork Roll: A delicacy made from fresh pork and a blend of spices, rolled and wrapped in banana leaves.
– Cashew Nuts: Binh Phuoc is known for its high-quality cashew nuts, which are roasted and salted to perfection.
– Bù Đốp Sugar: This specialty is made from the sap of local sugar palm trees and has a distinct flavor, often used in desserts and drinks.
– Bù Na Cake: A traditional cake made from rice flour, green beans, and coconut milk, offering a delicious and delicate treat.
– Bù Nho Beef: Renowned for its high quality, the beef from Bù Nho is tender and full of flavor, perfect for grilling.
– Bù Đăng Chicken: Free-range chickens from Bù Đăng are known for their delicious meat, often cooked in traditional dishes like ‘Gà Rừng Nướng Muối Ớt’ (grilled chicken with chilli salt).
– Local Coffee: Binh Phuoc is a major coffee producer, offering a range of robust and aromatic blends to satisfy any coffee connoisseur.
– Bù Nho Wine: A bottle of local wine is a great way to celebrate and share the flavors of Binh Phuoc with loved ones.
– Chilli Salt: For those who enjoy a spicy kick, this condiment adds flavor to any meal and is a unique gift.
– Cashew Nuts: Roasted to perfection, these nuts are a delicious and healthy snack, perfect for sharing.
– Bù Đốp Sugar: This specialty sugar has a distinct flavor and is a great addition to any home baker’s pantry.
– Local Coffee: Share the rich, aromatic blends of Binh Phuoc coffee with friends and family who appreciate a good cup of joe.
– Bù Gia Mập Pork Roll: A delicacy that can be gifted to food connoisseurs, this pork roll is a tasty treat for any occasion.
– Bù Na Cake: This traditional cake is a delightful dessert and a unique gift, showcasing the cultural heritage of Binh Phuoc.
– Bù Đăng Sticky Rice: A signature dish of the Stieng ethnic group, cooked in bamboo tubes, infusing the rice with a smoky aroma.
– ‘Gà Rừng Nướng Muối Ớt’ (Grilled Chicken with Chilli Salt): A traditional dish of the Ma ethnic group, featuring free-range chicken grilled to perfection with a spicy kick.
– Bù Gia Mập Pork Roll: A delicacy of the Mnong ethnic group, made with fresh pork and a blend of local spices, wrapped in banana leaves.
– Bù Na Cake: A traditional cake of the Ede ethnic group, made with rice flour, green beans, and coconut milk, offering a delicious taste of indigenous culture.
– Local Markets: Visit the Bù Đăng Market, Bù Đốp Market, or the central market in Dong Xoai for a variety of local products, including fresh produce, spices, and traditional dishes.
– Specialty Shops: Look for shops that specialize in local products, such as the Cashew Nut Factory in Dong Xoai, or shops selling Bù Nho wine and Bù Đốp sugar.
– Restaurants: Try restaurants that showcase local cuisine, like the ‘Quán Bù Nho’ in Dong Xoai, known for its delicious grilled beef and other Binh Phuoc specialties.
– Take a food tour: Join a guided food tour or create your own self-guided tour to explore the local markets, restaurants, and specialty shops.
– Attend local festivals: Participate in cultural festivals, such as the Cashew Flower Festival, where you can enjoy traditional dishes, local produce, and cultural performances all in one place.
– Engage with locals: Strike up conversations with local vendors, farmers, and residents to learn about their culinary traditions and get recommendations for hidden gems.
– Sample widely: Don’t be afraid to try new dishes and flavors. Taste a variety of specialties, from grilled meats to sticky rice, and discover your favorite Binh Phuoc treats.
– Pair with local drinks: Enhance your culinary experience by pairing your meals with local beverages, such as Bù Nho wine or a fresh cup of Binh Phuoc coffee.
