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Not only famous for its beautiful beaches and pleasant coastal climate, Vung Tau is also a true paradise for food lovers. From fresh seafood to popular local snacks, the cuisine here is simple yet incredibly memorable. If you’re planning a trip to this seaside city, don’t miss the must-try dishes below.
1. Vung Tau Bánh Khọt
When it comes to Vung Tau cuisine, bánh khọt is considered a signature dish. These small savory pancakes are made from rice flour, cooked in special molds, and topped with fresh shrimp, squid, or minced pork. The pancakes are crispy on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside.
Bánh khọt is served with fresh herbs, shredded green papaya, and sweet-and-sour fish sauce, creating a rich yet well-balanced flavor.
2. Fresh Seafood
As a coastal city, Vung Tau is renowned for its abundance of fresh seafood. Visitors can easily find a wide variety of options such as:
- Crabs and blue swimmer crabs
- Lobsters and prawns
- Squid and baby squid
- Blood cockles, oysters, and various types of snails
Seafood is often prepared simply—steamed, grilled, or salt-roasted—to preserve its natural sweetness. Enjoying seafood by the sea in the cool ocean breeze is an unforgettable experience.
3. Stingray Hotpot (Lẩu Cá Đuối)
Stingray hotpot is a favorite dish among locals and visitors alike. Fresh stingray is cooked with sour bamboo shoots, tomatoes, tamarind, or lá giang, creating a pleasantly tangy broth.
Served hot with fresh rice noodles and herbs, this dish is perfect for a relaxing afternoon or evening meal.
4. Salted Egg Sponge Cake
Vung Tau’s salted egg sponge cake is famous nationwide and a popular souvenir for travelers. The cake is soft and fluffy, infused with buttery aroma, and topped with salted egg yolk, pork floss, and creamy egg sauce.
This sweet-and-savory treat is surprisingly addictive and loved by visitors of all ages.
5. Raw Fish Salad (Gỏi Cá Mai)
Cá mai is a small, translucent fish with naturally sweet flesh, commonly used to make a distinctive local salad. The fish is mixed with lime juice, roasted rice powder, fresh herbs, and served with rice paper and a flavorful dipping sauce.
The dish offers a refreshing, lightly sour taste that is especially enjoyable on warm days.
6. Snails and Street Snacks
Vung Tau’s snail stalls come alive in the evening, offering a wide range of dishes such as:
- Coconut milk stir-fried snails
- Salt-and-chili grilled sea snails
- Scallops with scallion oil
- Chili-grilled octopus
In addition, street snacks like Vietnamese rice paper pizza, fried fish balls, and hot soy milk are extremely popular, especially among young locals.
7. Bun Sung (Seafood Noodle Soup)
Bún súng is a traditional coastal noodle soup with a distinctive flavor. The broth is made from seafood and fermented fish sauce, offering a savory-sweet taste. The dish is served with fish, shrimp, and crunchy sung stems, providing a unique and authentic local experience.
Vung Tau’s cuisine may be simple, but it is rich in coastal flavors and deeply comforting. Each dish tells a story of the sea and local life, adding depth and charm to any travel experience.
If you have the chance to visit Vung Tau, be sure to take time to explore its food scene—your journey will be far more complete and memorable.
