Mekong Delta Dishes to Try on a Short Visit
Three delta dishes worth ordering, and how to choose them when you only have a day.
For a short delta visit, order three things: elephant ear fish for the show, banh xeo for the crunch and hu tieu for a light bowl. Share the first two, keep the noodles for anyone who wants something simple, and ask about pork before you commit.
What is elephant ear fish?
It is a large freshwater fish, fried whole and stood upright on the plate so the fins fan out like an ear. Hence the name.
You break off pieces of flesh and wrap them in rice paper with herbs, noodles and a slice of fruit, then dip in sauce. The table becomes the activity. It suits groups, and children enjoy the wrapping.
Ask the staff to show you how to wrap the first roll. After that you will not need help.
What is banh xeo?
Banh xeo is a crisp, turmeric-yellow pancake folded over a filling of bean sprouts and meat or shrimp. It sizzles in the pan as it cooks.
Tear off a piece, wrap it in a lettuce leaf with herbs, dip in sauce and eat. Share one between two or three people to leave room for the other dishes.
What is hu tieu?
Hu tieu is a southern noodle dish, served in a broth or dry with sauce on the side. The noodles are clear and soft. Toppings vary by stall.
It is the gentle choice of the three, good for older relatives, and easy to share if you order a small bowl for the table.
Where does pork sit in these dishes?
- Elephant ear fish: the fish is not pork, but the dipping sauce and garnish should be checked.
- Banh xeo: the filling can include pork alongside shrimp, so ask for a shrimp-only or vegetable version.
- Hu tieu: the broth and toppings can be pork-based.
We cannot name any stall as holding a halal certificate. Chau Doc is home to a Sunni Cham community1, and our Chau Doc guide is a useful start for readers planning halal meals. Read meal and prayer checks for Muslim travellers for the questions to ask.
How do you fit this into a short visit?
Treat lunch as the main meal of a day trip, and dinner as the main meal if you stay overnight. Our Mekong Delta guide explains how many days to give it, and Can Tho is a good base if you want more evenings for food. To decide between a day and a night, read Mekong Delta day trip or overnight.
Check stalls with our street food hygiene guide, and browse more dishes under food and daily travel.
Tell us whether you are doing a day trip or an overnight and who avoids pork, and we can suggest how to shape lunch and dinner in the delta.
Common questions
Which three dishes should I order on a short visit?
Order elephant ear fish for the showpiece, banh xeo for a crisp, shareable pancake and hu tieu for a simple noodle bowl. Together they give you a fish dish, a fried one and a soup. Share the first two and keep the noodle bowl for those who want something light.
What is elephant ear fish?
It is a large freshwater fish, fried whole and stood upright on the plate. You break off pieces of flesh, wrap them in rice paper with herbs and noodles, dip in sauce and eat. It is a table activity as much as a dish, which suits groups and children.
Is hu tieu pork?
Hu tieu can be built on a pork broth, with pork toppings. Versions with seafood or dry versions with sauce also exist. If you avoid pork, ask about the broth and the toppings before you sit down, and treat any answer as unconfirmed.
Do I have to be on a tour to eat these?
No. You can order them at restaurants and market stalls in the delta towns on your own. A day trip may stop for lunch, so check whether your meal is included and whether you can choose it. Our delta guides explain the options.
Sources
- Two main Cham groups practise Islam: Bani Cham in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, and Sunni Cham in the Mekong Delta around Chau Doc, An Giang. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Tell us whether you are doing a day trip or an overnight and who avoids pork, and we can suggest how to shape lunch and dinner in the delta.