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Stingray hot pot
Stingray hot pot tops the list of delicious dishes in Vung Tau, a favorite of many tourists whenever they visit this coastal city. The broth has a sweet and delicate flavor from the distinctive taste of stingray, complemented by the sourness of bamboo shoots and the tender texture of the fish meat. The fragrant aroma and steam rising from the pot, along with the spicy and sour broth and accompanying vegetables, will surely win the hearts of food lovers.
The menu typically includes stingray hot pot, rice noodles, and a bowl of delicious chili fish sauce to complete the meal.
Hoang Tu (Tour guide, Ho Chi Minh City) said: "Every time I bring tourists to Vung Tau, the group can't miss this stingray hotpot specialty. It's safe to say that once you try it, you'll never forget it. Some tour groups from the North, whose palates might not suit the sweetness of this hotpot, still praise it highly, proving that stingray hotpot is a dish that can satisfy all tastes."
When you visit Vung Tau, you absolutely must try the famous stingray hotpot.
Stingray hot pot is a delicious and appealing dish, with a rich broth that perfectly blends sour and spicy flavors into every piece of fish.
Banh khot
Banh khot is a must-try specialty when visiting Vung Tau. This dish is made from rice flour and shrimp filling, and depending on the restaurant, it may also include pork, beef, squid, or scallop fillings. A layer of shrimp powder is often added to the surface of the pancake to enhance the flavor.
Banh khot is typically served with sweet and sour fish sauce and various fresh vegetables such as mustard greens, lettuce, perilla leaves, mint, herbs, shredded papaya, and carrots. When enjoying it, diners will experience the crispy edges of the pancake, the distinctive aroma of fried onions, the sweetness of the shrimp, and the sweet, sour, and salty flavor of the dipping sauce.
Rest assured that all your senses will awaken after the very first delicious bite of this cake.
Crab noodle soup
Crab noodle soup is a delicious and appealing dish, with a rich broth simmered from bones, dried shrimp, and sea crab, creating an irresistible sweet and savory flavor. The noodles are made from high-quality flour, carrying the aroma of rice and having just the right amount of chewiness. The crabs are carefully selected, preferably sea crabs for their natural bright red color.
A bowl of crab noodle soup typically has a deep yellow color, with added ingredients such as fish cake, lean meat, pork trotters, and fragrant pork sausage. Crispy fried onions are sprinkled on top, along with various herbs and bean sprouts, creating an attractive and delicious dish.
"I was born and raised in Vung Tau, and whenever I crave crab noodle soup, I head straight to Ba Ba restaurant. This place is also very popular with many local and visiting customers. The bowl of crab noodle soup is full of toppings, with a sweet taste from the seafood and meat, not from sugar," Trung Anh (Vung Tau) shared.
A bowl of crab noodle soup has a rich, thick, dark yellow color and is generously filled with appealing ingredients.
Mai fish salad
When talking about Vung Tau's specialties, one cannot overlook the mai fish salad – a unique and interesting culinary dish. This specialty is made from mai fish, a common fish found in the waters of Vung Tau. After being caught, the fish are cleaned, deboned, and then marinated with vinegar, garlic, lemon, and chili peppers until cooked. Finally, the fish is mixed with roasted rice powder to bring out its unique and delicious flavor.
With its simple preparation, raw anchovy salad allows you to fully appreciate the fresh taste of each slice of fish blended with spices.
Yogurt and soft-boiled eggs
If you have the chance to travel to Vung Tau, you can't miss the opportunity to try two delicious dishes that have made this place famous: yogurt and soft-boiled eggs. Both are loved by tourists, not only for their delicious taste but also for their affordable prices.
"On the way up to the lighthouse, you'll pass by a very crowded yogurt shop. This is a stopover point, and also a place where tourists can enjoy two famous specialties of Vung Tau: yogurt and soft-boiled eggs. It sounds ordinary, but for some reason, I can't find the same taste anywhere else. So every now and then I drive from Saigon to Vung Tau, partly to relax and de-stress, but mostly to eat these two addictive treats," said Ky Anh (Ho Chi Minh City).
When eating yogurt, diners will experience its creamy texture, balanced sweet and sour flavor, and smooth, milky aroma. The soft-boiled eggs are carefully cooked, ensuring they are not overcooked and retain their rich, creamy flavor. They are served with salt and pepper and a special dipping sauce, further enhancing the taste of this soft-boiled egg dish.
No one visits Vung Tau without trying yogurt and soft-boiled eggs.
Soft-boiled eggs are delicious and very addictive.
Salted Egg Sponge Cake
A list of Vung Tau's culinary specialties wouldn't be complete without salted egg sponge cake – a popular souvenir that many tourists choose to buy when visiting the area. The cake has a soft, fluffy sponge layer with a light sweetness, blended with delicious shredded pork floss and a little cheese on top. Just one bite and you'll experience a multitude of rich flavors.
In Vung Tau, there are many places tourists can visit to buy delicious and authentic salted egg sponge cake, such as Goc Cot Dien and Goc Vu Sua.
This cake is rich and soft, with a smooth, fluffy sponge base, a light sweetness, and a savory pork floss topping.
