Each region of Vietnam has a unique cuisine, and I made it a point to try as many dishes as possible while travelling through the country. The food was so diverse that it differed widely in each town in the Mekong Delta, and I found it challenging to pick a favourite. Fortunately, my guide was knowledgeable about the area. He took me off the beaten path to introduce me to some restaurants I would never have found using Trip Advisor or Google Maps. Making my experience all the more enjoyable because the food was authentic, and I wasn’t comparing it to someone else’s experience.
Restaurant Nha Hang du Lich Anh Giang
I enjoyed a sumptuous vegetarian lunch at Nha Hang du Lich Anh Giang, overlooking the magnificent Mekong River. I ate with wooden chopsticks, and the freshly prepared dishes were served in fine China, adding a touch of elegance to the experience. Numerous vegetarian dishes of stir-fried vegetables, tofu and rice filled the circular dining table. I love this trait of Vietnamese dining because I always struggle to choose one thing from the menu.
Dessert was a delectable, giant, brittle pancake-shaped crisp. A light coconut flavour was the perfect way to end a meal and one of the best things I have eaten. It was a unique experience, with its delicious coconut flavour made from local ingredients. Though I have forgotten its name, I will always remember this exceptional dessert.
This lavish lunch was incredibly affordable, leaving me feeling thrilled and satisfied. I devoured several plates of food, and the quality was incredible. The affordability of the meal made me appreciate the experience even more.
Overall, I found Nha Hang du Lich Anh Giang a must-visit for an unforgettable dining experience. The food, presentation, and service were exceptional, and upon leaving, I felt confident that I had discovered a hidden gem overlooking the Mekong Delta.
Sao Hom Restaurant
The highly recommended Sao Hom Restaurant is in the old market hall, overlooking the picturesque river. Can Tho’s cuisine is known for its distinctly traditional dishes featuring a unique blend of homegrown vegetables, herbs and spices.
Being a vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available, and the food was divine. I found the food in Can Tho to be more aromatic than in other areas of Vietnam. The perfectly cooked tofu almost melted in my mouth. The curry was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Vietnamese curry has the incredible ability to create numerous flavours without adding a spicy aftertaste. As I savoured every bite, I couldn’t help but admire the serene beauty of the river and the boats sailing past. The only downside was that the restaurant was outdoors, so the local insect population tried to eat the humans alive.
Long Xuyen Crocodile Park
Stopping at Long Xuyen for lunch broke up the long drive from Can Tho to Chau Doc. My lunch was at a rest stop, which also happened to be a crocodile farm. However, I want to make it clear that I did not feed my photographer to the crocodiles (not this time, at least). I was hoping to have lunch with the crocodiles, but it wasn’t that type of lunch. Strangely, the highlight on the menu was crocodile curry, and some humans tried it and said it was chewy. However, I didn’t because crocodiles are friends, not food.
The meal was good, but not the best I had in Vietnam because I compared every meal in the Mekong Delta to the one I ate at Nha Hang du Lich Anh Giang. Not every dish on the menu contained crocodile, only the curry. So you can eat here without having to eat a reptile.
I know some animals living here end up as a curry ingredient, and others end up as a handbag, but I like how this place looked after the crocodiles. The crocodiles at Long Xuyen have either been rescued from the local area or bred in captivity. They had huge enclosures with an area to swim, sunbathe and some shade from the sun. I was happy to see how relaxed the reptiles were, showing this particular farm looked after the well-being of these creatures.
Chau Pho Hotel Restaurant
During my final evening in Vietnam, I braved a relentless monsoon to go and find some food. The rain was so heavy that the road turned into a swimming pool. Despite my disappointment in not being able to explore more of Chau Doc, I had already travelled a great distance in the previous three days, so I was content to have a simple meal in a nearby hotel.
In comparison to the other meals I had in the area, the hotel setting felt posh. However, I had become so used to al fresco dining that it felt weird to eat indoors. Vietnamese cuisine is fantastic because they bring several different dishes to the table so everyone can share. Although I enjoyed the food at this hotel, four of the five dishes I tried included tofu. My favourite part of the meal was the vegetable spring rolls with chilli and mango. I must admit that, after 15 days, I was sick of tofu (all the dishes were unique and delicious). Ironically, this thought would come back to haunt me while in Cambodia.
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