10 Delicious Specialties of My Tho That Captivate Diners from Near and Far

Explore My Tho's top 10 unique specialties, from delicious noodles to fresh fruits and flavorful seafood, that will captivate your taste buds. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Located in the heart of Tien Giang province, My Tho is like a treasure with its pristine beauty and unique cuisine. Whenever the specialties of My Tho are mentioned, one cannot help but think of a diverse culinary palette, from fresh fruits to rustic yet enchanting dishes such as hu tieu, banh canh cua, banh xeo, and goi ca trich. Join me in indulging in the allure of My Tho's cuisine through this article.

1. Hu Tieu My Tho

Hu Tieu My Tho is a famous specialty of Tien Giang, renowned for its unique and irresistible flavor. The special feature of this dish lies in the noodles, made from Go Cat specialty rice, which has a distinctive chewy texture. The broth, cooked from pork bones, radishes, dried shrimp, and squid, is a crucial element that sets this My Tho specialty apart. The long cooking process results in a sweet and fragrant broth.

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In Tien Giang, you can easily enjoy Hu Tieu My Tho at well-known locations such as:

Bo De Quan: 3 Nguyen Van Giac, My Tho

Trung Luong Restaurant: Ap Bac, Ward 10, My Tho

Sa Te Chin Hoang Hu Tieu: 206A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ward 1, My Tho

A bowl full of dried shrimp, crispy pork fat, char siu, chicken liver, and various fresh herbs will provide you with a special and heartwarming culinary experience.

2. Bun Goi Gia My Tho

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Bun Goi Gia in My Tho is a delicious and unique dish that requires skill in preparing the broth from fermented fish to create its distinctive flavor. In My Tho, you can try this dish at popular eateries such as:

Bun Goi Gia Restaurant: 186 Nguyen Hue, Ward 1, Chau Thanh

Thang Bom Bun Dau Restaurant: 124 Le Thi Hong Gam, Ward 6, My Tho

3. Com Tam My Tho

Com Tam (broken rice) is a popular dish often chosen by visitors when they come to My Tho. One famous Com Tam restaurant here is "Com Tam Cau Doi," which has been around for over 20 years. The Com Tam at this restaurant has a special and appealing flavor.

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A serving of Com Tam includes three main dishes: fried egg, grilled pork chop, and shredded pork skin. The highlight of Com Tam here is the carefully marinated pork chop, which is rich and delicious. The fish sauce is prepared according to a traditional recipe, creating a unique and distinctive flavor.

All other ingredients, such as fat, shredded pork skin, and scallions, are freshly prepared daily to ensure the quality and taste of the Com Tam dish. You can enjoy this My Tho specialty at Cau Doi Restaurant, 256A Ap Bac, My Tho City, Tien Giang.

4. Mam Tom Cha

Mam Tom Cha (fermented shrimp paste) is a must-try specialty when traveling to Tien Giang or My Tho. This traditional dish is popular in the region and is often bought by tourists as a gift.

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Mam Tom Cha is made from freshly caught shrimp, which are then finely ground and strained. The paste is then seasoned with various spices to create the captivating flavor of this My Tho specialty.

It is commonly enjoyed with boiled pork belly or with vermicelli and fresh herbs. You can find this My Tho specialty at various stores or markets.

5. Chuoi Quet Dua

Chuoi Quet Dua (banana with coconut) is a unique rustic dish that you must try when visiting Tien Giang. Although it may look similar to com dep (flattened young rice), chuoi quet dua has many unique differences.

The ingredients for this dish include green bananas, ripe bananas, and grated coconut. The preparation process seems simple but requires skill and experience. This dish is often enjoyed with herbs such as betel leaves, pennywort, Vietnamese balm, rice paper, and sprinkled with roasted peanuts. To enhance the flavor, it is typically dipped in a sweet and sour sauce.

You can enjoy this dish at most street stalls selling snacks in the center of My Tho City in the evening.

6. Chao Ca Loc Rau Dang

Chao Ca Loc Rau Dang (snakehead fish porridge with bitter herbs) is a famous specialty of the Mekong Delta. The distinctive feature of this dish is the delicious combination of snakehead fish and bitter herbs, creating a unique flavor. To make this dish, the snakehead fish is cleaned, marinated, and steamed, while the porridge is cooked with rice until it is soft and thick.

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A full bowl of porridge includes various ingredients such as cilantro, bean sprouts, perilla leaves, peanuts, mushrooms, bitter herbs, and fish meat. It is often eaten with bitter herbs to balance the bitter and sweet flavors, providing a unique culinary experience.

You can enjoy this dish at Le Thi Hong Gam, Ward 6, My Tho City.

7. Ha Cao

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Ha Cao (dumplings) is a dish of Chinese origin that has become part of Vietnamese culinary culture, especially in My Tho. You can find delicious Ha Cao at traditional Ha Cao restaurants in the city center. This dish comes in two main varieties: steamed and fried. Both versions are typically enjoyed with soy sauce and vinegar.

8. My Tho Fruits

Besides the mentioned specialties, if you have the chance to visit My Tho, you should also try the fresh fruits here, such as Ngũ Hiệp durian, Trung Luong plum, Nhi Quy longan, or Lo Ren star apple.

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Ngũ Hiệp Durian: A famous durian variety from the town of Ngũ Hiệp, Tien Giang province, with bright yellow flesh, thick meat, sweet taste, and small seeds.

Trung Luong Plum: Also known as Hong Dao plum, this fruit has a beautiful pink-red color and a sweet, crisp taste. It is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Nhi Quy Longan: Available from July to August (lunar calendar), this longan variety has thin skin, small seeds, and a sweet taste.

Lo Ren Star Apple: A specialty fruit of My Tho, known for its thin skin and thick flesh. It has a sweet and fragrant taste, making it an ideal gift.

9. Mat Ong Hoa Nhan

Mat Ong Hoa Nhan (longan flower honey) is a specialty of Tien Giang that you should buy to use gradually or as a gift. This honey is produced from beekeeping farms in Tien Giang and Ben Tre.

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The pure, raw longan flower honey is packaged at the source without dehydration, retaining 100% of its vitamins and minerals. This gives the honey a natural flavor and pure sweetness.

To buy quality longan flower honey, you can visit Cu Lao Thoi Son, My Tho City.

10. Sam Bien

Sam Bien (horseshoe crab) is a seafood specialty of My Tho that you should try when visiting. This dish has a rich, sweet flavor and can be prepared in various ways, such as steaming, stir-frying, sautéing with tamarind, salt-roasting, or with scallion oil.

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Some famous places to enjoy sam bien in My Tho are:

Truong Phu Seafood: National Highway 50, Phong Thuan Hamlet, Tan My Chanh, My Tho

Hoang Thanh Seafood Restaurant: 109 Tet Mau Than, My Tho

I hope you have discovered the unique flavors of 10 enticing My Tho specialties through this article. From the delicious Bun Goi Gia, unique Chuoi Quet Dua, to the rich Sam Bien, and the simpler My Tho specialties like Hu Tieu, all leave a lasting impression on the culinary landscape of this region. Add My Tho to your travel guide to explore the distinctive flavors of the Mekong Delta.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)