What to eat in Ben Tre – Top specialty dishes in Ben Tre

The coconut land of Ben Tre – a charming water-land region with abundant fruit gardens – has produced many delicious dishes inspired by coconuts. It’s even said in folklore that Ben Tre girls have such fair skin because they’ve been drinking coconut water since they were young. Let’s explore what to eat in Ben Tre when you have the chance to visit with SOHA Tourist

What to eat in Ben Tre – Top specialty dishes in Ben Tre

1. Coconut Rice

Coconut rice is one of Bến Tre’s most famous delicacies. To cook a delicious portion of coconut rice requires a lot of effort and time. From the preparation stage, the rice must be washed with coconut water to soak, then cooked directly in a coconut. This Bến Tre specialty, when done, has a fragrant coconut aroma and is often enjoyed with savory dishes like caramelized shrimp or braised pork, making it an irresistible meal.

2. Coconut Worms

Coconut worms are a favorite snack of the people in the Western region. This dish originates from Bến Tre – the land of vast coconut gardens. The worms found in the heart of the coconut tree are collected and cleverly processed into various dishes such as fried, grilled, or even eaten raw. Although this Bến Tre specialty is unique, it’s not recommended for those unfamiliar with eating larvae.

3. Banh Canh Bot Xat (Sliced flour noodle soup)

Many people might not be able to imagine what banh canh bot xat is just from its name. Essentially, it’s duck banh canh served with ginger fish sauce. The distinguishing feature is its milky white broth made from rice flour, setting it apart from other banh canh dishes. In Ben Tre, locals often enjoy it with a bowl of rich, creamy duck blood pudding.

4. My Long Rice Paper

My Long rice paper is a popular gift bought as a Ben Tre specialty. Unlike other regular rice papers, My Long rice paper is crispy and fragrant. When grilled, it turns a beautiful golden color and has a rich coconut flavor. My Long rice paper is also delicious when served with salads.

5. Sweet and Sour Soup with Linh Fish and Sesbania Flowers

This sour soup with linh fish and sesbania flowers is a famous dish in Ben Tre. The ingredients to make this soup are simple – just linh fish, sesbania flowers, herbs, and spices – but it creates a delicious and appealing dish that anyone who tries it will remember the distinctive taste.

6. Coconut Rats

A unique Ben Tre specialty is coconut rat, a dish made from animals that harm coconut trees. Coconut rats absorb the sweetness from all the fresh and dry coconuts, so their meat is also delicious and rich. Coconut rats can be prepared in many ways such as grilled, steamed, or cooked in curry, but the best way, according to food enthusiasts, is steaming them in a rice cooker.

7. Banh Xeo with River Snails

Banh xeo is a familiar dish in every Southern village, but banh xeo with river snails can only be found in Phu Da Islet, Ben Tre. Here, there is an abundant source of natural river snails. The snail meat is white, plump, and fragrant. When cooked with chili and lemongrass as a filling for banh xeo instead of shrimp and pork, it’s very delicious. Diners can taste the sweetness of the snails, the freshness of the vegetables, and the saltiness of the fish sauce in each bite.

8. Goby Fish Braised in Coconut Water

In Ben Tre, everyone knows the goby fish braised in a coconut water dish. This is a signature dish in the culinary culture of Ben Tre people in particular and Western people in general. The goby fish of Ben Tre has a deep river flavor, making any dish appealing, but it’s best when braised in coconut water. This special braised fish dish, served with fresh garden vegetables and hot, new white rice, is perfect.

9. Fermented Fish Hotpot

For the people of the West, fermented fish hotpot is a standout Ben Tre specialty. If you’ve ever visited and tasted this hotpot, you’ll remember the flavor of this watery land forever. The main ingredients to create a special fermented fish hotpot include: a bông lau fish or catfish of your choice, half a kilogram of delicious pork belly, squid, shrimp, okra, a little fermented fish sauce, and half a kilogram of pork bones for the broth.

10. Coconut Shoot Salad with Shrimp and Pork

Coconut shoot is the top part of the coconut tree, deep inside the tree trunk. The coconut shoot salad with shrimp and pork is made from main ingredients such as coconut shoot, pork belly, shrimp, onion, carrot, chili, peanuts, etc. The preparation is quite similar to other shrimp and pork salads, but the crunchy and fragrant taste of the coconut shoot makes it unique. It’s very tasty when eaten with shrimp crackers and fish sauce. This dish is also a great appetizer for family meals.

11. Grilled Bananas

Grilled bananas are a typical snack of the coconut land, beloved by students. Siamese bananas, when their skin is greenish-yellow, are grilled, releasing an irresistible aroma. When eaten with thick coconut milk, it leaves a lasting memory for those away from home. This street food is usually sold at vendors and is now quite hard to find.

12. Wax Coconut

Wax coconut is a specialty of the Western region, only grown in a few areas like Ben Tre and Trà Vinh. One wax coconut costs about 200,000 VND. Unlike Siamese coconuts, wax coconuts have a very thick and spongy flesh. Inside the coconut, there is a layer of “wax” formed from the absorbed coconut water. To save money, you can buy one and share it with friends to enjoy together.

13. Son Doc Puffed Rice Cake

Adding to the list of Ben Tre specialties you must try is Son Doc puffed rice cake. The flavor is a blend of fragrant sticky rice, the richness of coconut, and the sweetness of cane sugar, creating a rustic but aromatic and sweet puffed rice cake. Holding the puffed rice cake in your hand and slowly savoring it helps you appreciate the essence of this delicious dish and the effort of those who made it.

14. Ben Tre Coconut Candy

Speaking of Ben Tre, one cannot forget coconut candy. This Ben Tre candy has become a famous specialty nationwide due to its unique fragrant and rich flavor. Each candy piece is meticulously wrapped, with a long shelf life and reasonable price, making it a popular gift for friends when you have the chance to visit Bến Tre. Join a tour exploring the Mekong Delta to discover the unique production process of Western coconut candy.

15. Giong Luong Coconut Cake

In Ben Tre, coconut cake is a popular coconut dish that has been part of the locals’ lives for a long time. The small cake, fitting in the palm of your hand, resembles a cylindrical banh tet. The crucial step in making a delicious coconut cake is selecting the right ingredients. The sticky rice must be fragrant and sticky. Coconut milk is mixed with the sticky rice, along with a bit of salt and sugar, then thoroughly mixed by the baker. When enjoying this famous dish, you will fully experience the salty taste of the salt, the rich and fragrant coconut, and the soft sticky rice.

16. Grilled Snakehead Fish

Grilled snakehead fish promises to be a popular dish on the sumptuous dining tables where Ben Tre people treat their guests. This specialty is rustic, fresh, and irresistibly attractive. The unique combination brings a special flavor that’s hard to find elsewhere. The main ingredient of this dish is live snakehead fish, carefully handled to ensure cleanliness. The fish is then skewered and grilled using straw to create a delicious and rich outer crust. When enjoyed, the grilled snakehead fish meat will have a distinctive fragrance, with a natural sweetness. Paired with fresh vegetables, vermicelli, and garlic chili fish sauce. It’s guaranteed to be delightful.

17. Coconut Wine

Coming to Ben Tre without buying fragrant coconut wine with its intoxicating taste would be a big miss. Ben Tre coconut wine is famous for its mild spiciness and irresistible sweetness, meticulously made from selected coconuts to create a unique wine that can’t be found anywhere else. If you have the chance to visit the watery Western region, remember to bring back some Southern flavors as gifts for your family and friends!

18. Coconut Jam

Coconut jam is a rustic specialty that embodies the flavor of Ben Tre. This is not just any ordinary jam but a blend of the delicious flavors of the Southwestern land. When enjoying it, you will experience the sweet taste of sugar mixed with the chewy and fragrant coconut. This treat is beloved by children, and savoring a piece of coconut jam with a cup of tea is incomparable to any other delicacy