Dishes made from tree shoots and wild vegetables, first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City praised 'very delicious, unique taste'

The dish is made from tree shoots and wild vegetables, a specialty of Binh Phuoc province (old), surprising diners with its unique, unforgettable flavor.

Unique dishes

The first Vietnamese Rice Noodles Festival - Delicious dishes from vermicelli took place at 23/9 Park, Ho Chi Minh City recently, gathering many delicious dishes from rice noodles and vermicelli.

Among these, diners pay attention to the dish of catfish vermicelli with bamboo shoots and pennywort introduced by a restaurant from Dong Nai province.

The restaurant representative said that the dish was created in 2019 with ingredients from specialties of Binh Phuoc province (old) including: bamboo shoots, spring leaves and catfish.

For a long time, bamboo shoots have been used by people in the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong, and Dak Lak (old) in many daily dishes.

A restaurant from Dong Nai province introduces the dish of catfish vermicelli with bamboo shoots and water spinach at the festival Vietnamese Rice Thread - Delicious dishes from vermicelli. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Despite its bitter taste, bamboo shoots are said to have many nutrients, helping to improve health, cure hangovers, and treat bloating. This food is purchased by the restaurant from the Xtieng people who harvest it in the forest.

After purchasing, the chef peels the bamboo shoots, taking only the young shoots. The peeled bamboo shoots are ivory white in color, cut into pieces, and soaked in plenty of water to remove the red sap.

To remove the bitter taste of rattan shoots, the processor adds a little salt to the soaking water. After preliminary processing, rattan shoots are cooked according to a secret recipe to reduce the characteristic bitter taste.

Bamboo shoots and bamboo leaves are some of the special ingredients of the dish. Photo: Ha Nguyen

The leaves of the plant, also known as Bep, are a typical wild vegetable of the old Binh Phuoc province. The plant has a rich, aromatic flavor and is rich in nutrients, and is often used in soups and hot pots.

To enhance the flavor and nutrition of the dish, the cook uses catfish, which is famous for its delicious taste and rich nutrients. The fish is cleaned, the fishy smell is removed, and the fillets are cut into bite-sized pieces.

The broth for catfish vermicelli with bamboo shoots and pennywort is simmered from catfish bones, catfish heads, and pork bones.

In addition, the chef also uses some vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, beets, white radishes, etc. After about 6 hours, the broth is clear and has a sweet taste.

The finished product has the fatty, sweet taste of catfish meat, and the mild bitterness but richness of bamboo shoots. When eaten with water spinach, the dish has a rich, fatty taste and a characteristic aroma, creating a unique and delicious flavor.

Ingredients are put into hygienic bowls for diners to experience. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Fascinated at first taste

Many people in Ho Chi Minh City who came to experience the festival affirmed that they had never enjoyed dishes made from bamboo shoots and water spinach.

When seeing this dish appear at the festival, many diners decided to experience it. Ms. Thuy (82 years old, Ben Thanh ward, HCMC) said that this was the first time she knew about the dish of catfish vermicelli with bamboo shoots and pennywort.

“I have never eaten dishes made from rattan shoots. When I saw a dish made from this ingredient, I was very curious so I decided to try it with my friend.

At first, I thought that bamboo shoots would be bitter and difficult to eat. However, when I tasted it, I was completely surprised and enjoyed this dish.

Ms. Thuy said the dish was unique and very delicious. Photo: Ha Nguyen

The bamboo shoots are mildly bitter, the broth is sweet and fragrant. The catfish meat is crispy and sweet. I also like the taste of the leaves. This is also the first time I have eaten this type of forest leaf. Overall, this is a unique and delicious dish,” said Ms. Thuy.

Meanwhile, Hoang Thanh (25 years old, from Gia Lai province) said he has been eating the leaves of the bamboo shoots since he was a child. This is one of the famous wild vegetables in his hometown.

Delicious and unique dishes attract many diners. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Every time Thanh returns to her hometown, her mother often prepares dishes from the leaves and bamboo shoots such as: stir-fried meat with bamboo shoots, bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot hotpot, grilled bamboo shoots with salt and chili, stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat...

However, Thanh has never experienced a dish that combines bamboo shoots, fern leaves and catfish.

“This is the first time I have eaten this dish and I was really surprised. The dish has a slightly bitter, sweet taste, is cool, and not greasy.

The combination of the leaves, bamboo shoots and sweet, aromatic broth gives the dish a very unique and strange flavor," Thanh said.

Some delicious and beautiful dishes were introduced at the festival. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Vietnamese Rice Festival With the theme "delicious dishes from vermicelli" for the first time in 2025, the event also organized a record-setting activity of 100 delicious dishes made from rice noodles and vermicelli.

The 100 record-setting dishes include outstanding dishes from across the country: Lao Cai sour pho, Cao Bang duck pho, Nam Dinh beef pho, Gia Lai dry pho, Da Lat artichoke pho, Hai Phong crab rice noodles, Ha Long mantis shrimp vermicelli, Quynh Coi fish soup...

Crowds of people flock to Ca Mau crab food festival, stalls sell 100kg in 2 hours Despite heavy rain, many people in Ho Chi Minh City still bring their families to experience the Ca Mau crab food festival, causing many crab stalls to sell out early, with one stall selling more than 100kg of crab in just 2 hours.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mon-an-tu-dot-cay-rau-rung-khach-tphcm-an-lan-dau-da-khen-rat-ngon-la-mieng-2464900.html