Sweet and delicious water chestnut

Hung Yen, a fertile land enriched by the rich alluvial soil of the Red River and Luoc River, has long been famous for its many delicious and nutritious agricultural products: longan, lotus, oranges, pink bananas... and it is also known for its specialty water chestnut.

Việt Nam•20/10/2025

Every year, around the end of September and beginning of October in the lunar calendar, when the cold winds arrive, it's harvest season for a rustic local delicacy that only comes once a year: water chestnut tubers... This is also an opportunity for many people to buy water chestnut tubers to prepare simple, flavorful, and nutritious dishes.

Water chestnut, also known as Chinese water chestnut, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Northern Delta provinces of Vietnam. It commonly grows wild in muddy areas such as ponds, lakes, swamps, or riverbanks. This plant has a well-developed rhizome, with an upright stem reaching 1-2 meters in height. Its leaves are flat, oblong, and elongated, with a large, spongy base. The stem is often parasitized by a type of fungus, causing it to swell and develop numerous black spots composed of fungal spores. It is precisely this fungal infestation that gives the water chestnut its rich, fatty texture.

Water chestnut tubers contain many nutrients such as zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, etc. They have a sweet taste and a cooling nature. Furthermore, the roots and stems can be used as medicine, effectively clearing heat and regulating the digestive system. Regularly consuming water chestnut tubers can help prevent hypertension, inhibit atherosclerosis, and is particularly effective in treating liver cirrhosis and high blood urea levels. In addition, water chestnut tubers are used to relieve hangovers, promote urination, and are beneficial for cardiovascular health and diabetes.

Previously, water chestnut tubers were often eaten raw for their nutty and creamy taste, but nowadays they are chosen to prepare many delicious and attractive dishes. Because they are a clean, tasty, and unique vegetable, they are increasingly favored by food connoisseurs.

For home cooks, to get delicious water chestnuts, choose large, plump female water chestnuts that, when peeled, reveal a pristine white color and are perfectly sliced. Water chestnuts can be used to prepare many delicious and appealing dishes, such as stir-fried water chestnuts with beef, lean pork, heart and kidneys, eggs, or simply stir-fried with scallions and a little cilantro for a quick and easy meal.

For Vietnamese people in general, and the people of Hung Yen in particular, water chestnuts are a symbol of childhood, a memory intertwined in every nostalgic moment. If you have the chance to visit Hung Yen during water chestnut season, wandering through the markets of Pho Hien, Hien Nam, Hong Chau, etc., you will encounter vendors carrying baskets of plump water chestnuts – this simple, rustic local delicacy has delighted countless people. Somewhere, you can hear the joyful laughter of farmers carrying their water chestnuts to the market to sell.

If you love new experiences and exploration , it would be very interesting to participate in harvesting and selling water chestnut tubers with the locals. What could be better than enjoying the sweet, crispy, and delicate flavor of delicious dishes made from water chestnut tubers amidst the cool weather?

Nguyen Hue - TTXTDLHY

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