1. Must-try foods in Can Tho, Vietnam
1.1. Ga um dau Ha Chau
Ga um dau Ha Chau is one of the most distinctive dishes of Can Tho food. It originally comes from Ha Chau Commune in the former Phung Hiep District and later gained popularity in Can Tho. The main ingredient is free-range chicken, known for its firm texture and sweet meat. It is braised with young winged beans (or okra), coconut water, and a blend of local spices like lemongrass, shallots, green peppercorns, and fermented fish sauce.
Recommended places to try ga um dau Ha Chau: Tuan Tuong fruit garden - Nhon Loc 1 Hamlet, Phong Dien Commune
1.2. Banh hoi Phong Dien
Banh hoi Phong Dien is an elegant noodle dish that showcases the finesse of Can Tho food. Made from finely ground rice, it is formed into thin sheets and delicately woven into soft bundles that resemble lace. This dish has its roots in Phong Dien, where locals have mastered the art of steaming and layering these noodles with astonishing precision. Banh hoi is served with roasted pork belly, a quail egg, fresh herbs, pickled carrots, and a bowl of dipping sauce.
Recommended places to try banh hoi Phong Dien: Banh hoi Ut Dzach - Nhon Phu Hamlet
1.3. Nem nuong Cai Rang
Nem nuong Cai Rang is Can Tho's answer to Vietnamese grilled sausage, and it might be the most addictive item in the city's street food arsenal. These smoky pork skewers are made from marinated ground pork kneaded until smooth, then grilled over hot charcoal until caramelized on the outside. Each diner wraps the nem nuong with rice paper, pickles, cucumber, herbs, and rice noodles, then dunks it in a creamy peanut and garlic sauce.
Recommended places to try nem nuong Cai Rang:
- Nem nuong Cai Rang Co Trang - 95 Tran Chien Street
- Nem nuong Ba Sau - Nguyen Trai Street
>>> Read more: 21 of the best restaurants in Can Tho to satisfy every craving
1.4. Lau ban Phu Sa
Lau ban Phu Sa is a Vietnamese hot pot that is both tangy and earthy, featuring the fruit of the ban tree (similar to tamarind) native to the banks of the Mekong River. This broth is packed with local fish, prawns, squid, and greens like water lily stems and river spinach. This dish represents the communal spirit of Can Tho cuisine. You will dip, slurp, laugh, and savor the subtle sourness of the broth and the freshness of the ingredients.
Recommended places to try lau ban phu sa: Phu Sa Tourist Area - Con Au Islet
1.5. Pizza hu tieu
Pizza hu tieu is one of the most creative takes in Can Tho food, which transforms the traditional rice noodle into a crispy pancake layered with toppings. It is made by frying a circular sheet of hu tieu until golden and crunchy, then topping it with ingredients like dried shrimp, pork, scallions, and quail eggs. Crunchy outside, chewy inside, and rich in flavor, it is a snack that’s both playful and satisfying.
Recommended places to try pizza hu tieu: Sau Hoai’s Rice Noodle Factory - 476/14 Lo Vong Cung Street
1.6. Ca loc nuong trui
Ca loc nuong trui is one of the most rustic dishes of Can Tho food. It features snakehead fish (ca loc), a freshwater staple in the Mekong Delta, roasted whole over open fire without seasoning or scaling. The fish is skewered with a bamboo stick and roasted until the skin is charred and crisp. Once cooked, the burned skin is peeled off to reveal juicy, tender white flesh. It is served with rice paper, fresh herbs, green banana, cucumber, and dipping sauce.
Recommended places to try ca loc nuong trui:
- Ca loc An - 15 Tran Van Hoai Street
- Ca loc nuong Man - 184 Huynh Cuong Street
- Ca loc quay Hiep Thanh - 759A Nguyen Van Cu Street
1.7. Vit nau chao
Vit nau chao is a duck stew that showcases the depth and character of Can Tho food. Chao is a type of fermented tofu with a funky, savory flavor similar to cheese. When combined with duck, taro, coconut water, lemongrass, and chili, it produces a creamy, umami-packed broth. Chunks of duck are braised until tender, while the taro softens and absorbs the chao. Served hotpot-style, it comes with noodles, greens, and dipping sauces.
Recommended places to try vit nau chao:
- Vit nau chao Ut Cung - 96A Tran Khanh Du Street
- Quan lau Vit nau chao Thanh Giao - 1/8 Ly Tu Trong Street
- Quan Vit nau chao Co Minh - 1/1C Ly Tu Trong Street
1.8. Oc nuong tieu xanh
Oc nuong tieu xanh (snails grilled with green peppercorns) is a fiery favorite in Can Tho food markets. The snails are brushed with a marinade of butter, garlic, and crushed green pepper, then grilled until the shells crackle and the aroma turns smoky. The result is both spicy and buttery, with a briny bite from the snail meat and heat from the peppercorns. This dish is often served with lemongrass skewers and a lime-salt dipping sauce.
Recommended places to try oc nuong tieu xanh:
- Dong Xanh 2 - 211 Nguyen Van Linh Street
- Oc Larva Can Tho - Lane 12, Mau Than Street
- Oc Mau Than - Bun Xang Street
1.9. Lau mam
Lau mam is a fermented fish hotpot that is not for the faint of heart - it is for those who love big, unapologetic flavor - a Can Tho food essential in the Mekong Delta. The base is made from Vietnamese fermented henicorhynchus sauce, boiled with lemongrass, chili, garlic, and coconut water to tame its funk and boost its aroma. A variety of proteins - catfish, shrimp, squid - along with local vegetables like eggplant, okra, and water lily stems are added at the table.
Recommended places to try Lau mam:
- Lau mam Can Tho - 162/18 Tran Ngoc Que Street
- Lau mam Que Mi - 77 Huynh Cuong Street
- Lau mam Kieu Trinh - 26 Tran Khanh Du Street
1.10. Banh cong
Banh cong, or Cong cake, is one of the most beloved snacks of Can Tho food. The batter is made from rice flour, mixed with mung beans and minced pork, then poured into a special metal mold (called a "cong") and topped with a whole shrimp. It is fried until golden brown and crisp. Served with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a sweet fish sauce for dipping, banh cong balances crispy, creamy, and savory flavors in one bite.
Recommended places to try banh cong:
- Banh cong Co Ut - 28 Ly Tu Trong Street
- Quan Banh Xeo, Banh Cong Hue Vien - 22 De Tham Street
- Banh Cong Ba Ut Lu - 45 Ly Chinh Thang Street
>>> Read more: Can Tho Markets: 12 BEST local markets you should not miss
1.11. Banh tet la cam
A crown jewel for the best food in Can Tho, banh tet la cam stands out for its deep purple color thanks to the magenta plant used to dye the sticky rice. Traditionally made during Tet (Lunar New Year), this cylindrical sticky rice cake is filled with either sweetened mung bean or savory pork and salted egg yolk. It is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed for hours until the rice becomes tender and aromatic. Sliced into rounds, it reveals beautiful contrasting layers of color.
Recommended places to try banh tet la cam:
- Banh tet la cam Ba Chau - 158 Rach Ong Kinh Street & 214 Tran Viet Chau Street
- Banh tet Nam Hoa - 150 Hai Ba Trung Street
- Banh tet Tu Dep - 54/6 Thai Thi Nhan Street
1.12. Chuoi nep nuong
Chuoi nep nuong is a grilled banana dessert that captures the sweet side of Can Tho food. It features a ripe banana wrapped in a layer of sticky rice, then encased in banana leaf and grilled over charcoal. The outer layer gets crispy while the inside remains gooey and warm. It is typically served with a drizzle of coconut cream sauce and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts.
Recommended places to try chuoi nep nuong: Tran Viet Chau Street and Rach Ong Kinh Street
1.13. Banh tam bi
Banh tam bi is a Southern Vietnamese classic that you can find everywhere in Can Tho food markets. It is a hearty dish made of thick rice noodles and topped with shredded pork rinds (bi), coconut cream, scallion oil, and pickled vegetables. Although the combination may sound unusual, it is addictive: the chewy noodles, the savory pork, the creamy coconut, and the crunch of pickles all come together in each bite.
Recommended places to try banh tam bi:
- Banh tam bi xiu mai - 2A Pham Ngu Lao Street
- Banh tam bi Le Lai - 3 Le Lai Street
- Banh tam banh man nuoc cot dua - 16B Ung Van Khiem Street
1.14. Goi tom trung
Goi tom trung is a standout in Can Tho food culture thanks to its irresistible mix of shrimp, eggs, and pork rinds. The shrimp are cleaned, boiled, and peeled, while the pork rinds are sliced thin and simmered gently so they stay chewy and crunchy. The eggs are fried to a golden crisp, releasing the aroma of onion and garlic. Fresh herbs and crushed peanuts are sprinkled on top before everything is finished, with a few spoonfuls of fish sauce blended with lime, garlic, and chili.
Recommended places to try goi tom trung:
- Goi cuon chu Nam - 1 Pham Son Khai Street
- Goi cuon chi Tu - 53 Hoang Van Thu Street
1.15. Banh xeo
Banh xeo is the classic Vietnamese pancake of Can Tho food. The name means "sizzling cake," referencing the sound it makes when the rice flour batter hits the hot pan. This batter is mixed with turmeric and coconut milk to add color and richness, then fried until it forms a golden, crispy shell. It is traditionally stuffed with shrimp, sliced pork belly, and bean sprouts. To enjoy banh xeo, tear off a piece, wrap it in lettuce or mustard leaves with herbs, and dip it into a sweet-sour fish sauce.
Recommended places to try banh xeo:
- Quan Banh xeo 7 Toi - 45 Hoang Quoc Viet Street
- Banh xeo Mai Vang - C6B Tran Khanh Du Street
- Banh xeo Ngoc Ngan - 74 Le Loi Street
*The details in this guide are for reference only and may change over time. If you are planning to visit the above-mentioned eateries in Can Tho, it is recommended that you contact them for the most up-to-date information.
2. FAQs about Can Tho food
2.1. Are there any food tours in Can Tho?
Yes. If you want to explore Can Tho food through the eyes and palate of a local, join the Can Tho food tour voted by locals available on Tripadvisor. This guided tour runs for about 3 hours and takes you deep into the city’s vibrant food scene. You will sample signature dishes such as Vietnamese pancake, Cong cake, papaya salad, and soy milk. There is even a vegan-friendly tour option.
2.2. What are some must-visit Can Tho food markets?
For those who love to eat while exploring, these Can Tho food markets offer some of the city’s best flavors:
- Ninh Kieu Night Market: Hai Ba Trung Street
- Tay Do Night Market (Can Tho Old Market): Hai Ba Trung Street
- Tran Phu Night Market: Tran Phu Street
- Cai Rang Floating Market: Can Tho River
These markets are the heart of any Can Tho street food tour, offering everything from grilled seafood and fresh fruit to handmade sweets and noodles on boats.
2.3. What are some must-try dishes for first-time visitors to Can Tho?
If it is your first time experiencing Can Tho food, don’t leave without trying banh tet la cam, nem nuong Cai Rang, chuoi nep nuong, oc nuong tieu, banh cong, banh tam bi, banh hoi Phong Dien, banh xeo, and lau ban phu sa.
2.4. Which Can Tho foods are best to buy as souvenirs?
Some Can Tho food specialties that make great edible souvenirs are banh tet la cam, pizza hu tieu, nem nuong Cai Rang, and ba khia Tu Xuyen. You can find them at major Can Tho food markets or specialty shops.
Can Tho food is not just about flavor - it is about heritage, community, and the deep ties between rivers and recipes. Whether you are slurping fermented hotpot at a local eatery, grilling fish by the canal, or biting into a sticky rice cake at a floating market, Can Tho cuisine tells a rich, unforgettable story.
But the adventure does not stop here - Vietnam travel has a lot more to offer. Head north to cruise around the limestone islets of Ha Long Bay, wander the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, soak up the sun on the beaches of Nha Trang, or dive into tropical paradise on Phu Quoc Island.
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