Countryside dishes in the city

The trend of finding rustic dishes with country flavors is favored by many urban people. Grasping this trend, many restaurants and eateries in the area have become familiar destinations for diners. The space here is often airy and quiet, bringing a feeling of relaxation and reminding of warm meals with family and friends.

Specialties of the flood season in the border town

When talking about An Giang's cuisine during the flood season, one cannot fail to mention the delicious dishes made from linh fish. This fish is not only an ingredient in dishes but also a symbol of the abundance that nature has bestowed upon this land. During the flood season, linh fish follow the currents, bringing "good fortune" to the people in the region.

From those humble ingredients, many restaurants and eateries in An Giang have created numerous delicious dishes with distinctive flavors of the Mekong Delta. A highlight is braised snakehead fish with tamarind, where the mild sourness of the tamarind blends with the richness of the fish and a touch of saltiness from the fish sauce, creating an unforgettable, flavorful dish.

Snakehead fish cooked in sour soup or sour hot pot with Sesbania flowers is also an attractive option. The delicate sweetness of the broth, the light richness of the snakehead fish, and the characteristic crispness of the Sesbania flowers create a perfect combination that awakens all the senses.

Fried snakehead fish wrapped in wild herbs and dipped in a sour fish sauce with garlic and chili may seem rustic, but it's an unforgettable dish for anyone who tries it. Especially, snakehead fish hot pot with fermented fish sauce is a dish with a rich, authentic flavor that's sure to win over even the most discerning diners.

Snakehead fish hotpot at Nét Quê Quán is a popular choice among diners. Photo: THỦY TIÊN

Currently, areas bordering Cambodia, such as Vinh Te and Chau Doc wards, have been experiencing flooding for about two months. Delicious dishes made from snakehead fish continue to attract tourists. “My friend and I have been in Chau Doc for two days. We enjoyed many dishes made from snakehead fish. The food is simple but very delicious, perhaps partly due to the chef's skill, but mostly because it's a dish that truly embodies the flavors of our homeland,” shared Lisa Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American currently staying at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel.

Besides upscale restaurants, a popular and affordable spot in Chau Doc specializing in delicious dishes made from snakehead fish is Bay Bong restaurant. The restaurant is known for its rustic dishes such as snakehead fish hotpot with fermented fish sauce, braised freshwater fish in a clay pot, and dried snakehead fish salad with bitter melon leaves...

Countryside and seaside town

Located about 2km from the center of Rach Gia ward, for nearly a decade, Phu Dien eco- tourism area has become an ideal destination for relaxing weekends, especially for enjoying delicious local dishes.

Here, dishes such as: fried salted snakehead fish, stir-fried eel with lemongrass and turmeric, steamed black snails with pepper, stir-fried quail with loofah, crispy fried mudfish, crab hotpot... are all prepared from fresh ingredients by skilled chefs from the riverside countryside.

Not only are the dishes delicious, but the presentation and ambiance vividly recreate the rural landscape, creating a warm and cozy feeling like returning home. Beyond enjoying the food, visitors can also experience traditional folk games such as rowing a traditional sampan boat, fishing, or reliving childhood memories with the traditional coconut leaf pulling game – a nostalgic image for generations in the countryside.

Another eco-friendly destination with a distinct countryside feel, located right in the heart of Rach Gia city, is Net Que Quan, situated on Lam Quang Ky Street. The menu is diverse, focusing on rustic dishes made from snakehead fish, catfish, eel, gourami, loach, mudfish, steamed fermented fish paste, etc., combined with many kinds of seasonal, crisp, sweet, and refreshing wild vegetables.

In just about 20 minutes, the rustic dishes were served to the diners. There was crispy fried snakehead fish, braised tilapia, boiled pork with shrimp paste, stir-fried small shrimp with Sesbania flowers, pickled water spinach, sour fish hotpot with water lilies and banana blossoms...

“The food here is delicious, with rich, rustic, and familiar flavors. For those far from home, enjoying these traditional dishes evokes memories of home and childhood with my mother,” shared Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh, a customer from Ho Chi Minh City.

Despite increasingly affluent lifestyles and rising culinary demands, many families still choose to stick with simple, rustic meals like braised fish in a clay pot, stir-fried shrimp, or a plate of boiled vegetables with dipping sauce. Because in those meals, they not only eat but also relive beautiful memories and peaceful moments from their hometowns…

THUY TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mon-que-len-pho-a462334.html