Savor Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù, Ben Tre’s iconic deep-fried elephant ear fish, in Vinh Long. Explore where to eat, cooking tips, prices, and book culinary tours with Legend Travel Group for an authentic Mekong Delta food adventure!
Capture the savory delight of Ben Tre’s culinary gem (Source: Internet)Nestled in the vibrant Mekong Delta, Ben Tre ward in Vinh Long province is a culinary haven where the iconic Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù (deep-fried elephant ear fish) reigns as a must-try delicacy. This freshwater giant gourami, named for its ear-like fins, is fried whole to crispy perfection, served upright with a medley of herbs, rice paper, and tangy fish sauce dip. Its succulent flesh and dramatic presentation make it a star of Ben Tre’s coconut-rich cuisine, per legendtravelgroup.com. From bustling markets to riverside restaurants, this dish offers a taste of the Mekong’s aquatic bounty. Legend Travel Group, a premier local tour operator, curates immersive culinary tours that let you savor elephant ear fish at its finest, paired with Ben Tre’s cultural gems like canal cruises and coconut candy workshops. Ready to roll up this Mekong Delta classic? Book your tour via the links on this page and dive into Vinh Long’s foodie paradise!
Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù is a culinary icon of the Mekong Delta, celebrated for its crispy exterior, tender flesh, and interactive dining experience, per legendtravelgroup.com. Caught in Ben Tre’s rivers, ponds, and swamps, the giant gourami (0.5–1.5 kg) is fried whole with scales and fins intact, creating a crunchy texture, per mekongdeltacruises.com. Served on a wooden rack, it’s rolled in rice paper with cucumber, herbs, star fruit, and rice noodles, then dipped in sweet-sour fish sauce or mắm nêm (fermented fish sauce), per legendtravelgroup.com. Its fresh, healthy ingredients and vibrant flavors make it a favorite at Ben Tre’s eateries, per legendtravelgroup.com. Legend Travel Group’s guided tours take you to authentic restaurants and markets, blending elephant ear fish tastings with Ben Tre’s eco-tourism and cultural highlights, ensuring a delicious and memorable adventure in Vinh Long province.
Legend Travel Group delivers authentic Mekong Delta experiences with English-speaking guides, sustainable partnerships with local vendors, and seamless logistics. Our Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù tours inspire action, combining culinary delights with visits to Ben Tre’s waterways, orchards, and cultural sites. Reserve your spot now and let us guide you through Vinh Long’s culinary and cultural treasures!
Photograph the culinary allure of Ben Tre’s heritage (Source: Internet)Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù is a culinary masterpiece, rooted in Ben Tre’s aquatic abundance, where rivers and ponds teem with giant gourami, per vietnamnet.vn. The dish’s preparation is an art: the fish is gutted but left whole, fried in hot oil until its scales and fins turn crispy, then presented upright for a dramatic effect, per legendtravelgroup.com. Diners flake off the tender flesh, wrapping it in rice paper with fresh herbs, pickled carrots, and tangy accompaniments, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors, per legendtravelgroup.com. Often served with mắm nêm or pineapple sauce topped with peanuts, it’s a staple at Ben Tre’s floating restaurants and markets like Phu Cho, per vietnam.travel. Its cultural significance shines during the Ben Tre Coconut Festival (biennial, July), where Mekong Delta specialties are celebrated, per vietnam.vn. This dish’s vibrant presentation and communal dining style make it a bucket-list experience in Vinh Long province.
Experience Ben Tre Tours with sustainable adventures (Source: Internet)Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù is available year-round, but key times enhance the experience:
Dry Season (December–April): Mild weather (25–35°C) is ideal for riverside dining and market visits, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Rainy Season (May–October): Lush greenery and abundant fish; morning tastings (8:00–11:00 AM) avoid showers, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Ben Tre Coconut Festival (July, biennial): Features elephant ear fish and coconut dishes, per vietnam.vn.
Tet (Lunar New Year, January–February): Markets bustle with fresh ingredients, perfect for festive dining, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tip: Book tours 1–2 weeks ahead for July’s festival or Tet to secure spots, as crowds peak, per tripadvisor.com.
Start your Ben Tre Travel with tranquil vistas (Source: Internet)Ben Tre’s key dining spots for elephant ear fish, like Ben Tre Floating Restaurant and Phu Cho Market, are 5–20 km from Ben Tre city center and 85 km from Ho Chi Minh City:
Route: Local roads to riverside restaurants or National Highway 60 to Phu Cho Market.
Motorbike: 10–30 min, rental $8–$10/day (200,000–250,000 VND) + fuel $1–$2 (25,000–50,000 VND).
Taxi/Ride-Hailing: $3–$5 (75,000–125,000 VND), 10–20 min.
Local Bus: Buses to Cho Lach ($1–$1.60, 25,000–40,000 VND), 30 min, then xe ôm ($1–$1.60), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Route: Highway 1A to My Tho, cross Rach Mieu Bridge, follow Highway 60 to Ben Tre, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Bus: 1.5–2h from Mien Tay Bus Station ($3–$5, 75,000–125,000 VND), then taxi ($3–$5), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Private Car: 2–2.5h, $40–$60 (1,000,000–1,500,000 VND).
Boat: High-speed ferries to Ben Tre piers, 2h, $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Tip: Use Google Maps for navigation; Legend Travel Group’s tours include round-trip transfers for a seamless experience.
Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù offers a range of culinary and cultural experiences, best enjoyed at Ben Tre Floating Restaurant, Phu Cho Market, or homestays. Below are the top activities with current prices (1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND):
Savor Elephant Ear Fish at Riverside Eateries
Enjoy the dish at floating restaurants, served upright with rice paper, herbs, and fish sauce dip, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND)/fish (serves 2–3).
Duration: 30–60 minutes.
Highlights: “Crispy, flavorful, and fun to roll” (Tripadvisor, 4.5/5 stars).
Tip: Try at Ben Tre Floating Restaurant (Chau Thanh) for scenic views; request mắm nêm for an authentic dip, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Learn to Cook Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù
Join a cooking class at a homestay or eco-tourism site to master fish frying, roll assembly, and sauce preparation, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $10–$15 (250,000–375,000 VND)/person, includes ingredients and meal.
Duration: 1–2 hours.
Highlights: “Hands-on and delicious” (Vemekong.com).
Tip: Book classes in Giong Trom homestays; bring an apron for frying, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Experience the Ben Tre Coconut Festival (July, biennial)
Savor elephant ear fish at festival food stalls, paired with coconut dishes and đờn ca tài tử music, per vietnam.vn.
Price: Free entry; fish $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND); snacks $0.40–$2 (10,000–50,000 VND).
Duration: 4–6 hours.
Highlights: “Vibrant culinary showcase” (Vietnamnews.vn).
Tip: Arrive early (8:00 AM) for fresh dishes; book tours for festival access.
Visit Phu Cho and Ben Tre Night Markets
Sample Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù at market stalls alongside bánh xèo ốc gạo ($1.20–$2) or coconut candy ($1–$3/300g), per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: Free entry; food $0.40–$10 (10,000–250,000 VND).
Duration: 1–2 hours.
Highlights: “Bustling, authentic food scene” (legendtravelgroup.com).
Tip: Evening visits (5:00–9:00 PM) at Ben Tre Night Market offer the best vibe; bring small cash notes, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Pair with a Canal Cruise
Combine fish tastings with a boat ride through Ben Tre’s canals, passing coconut groves and orchards, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Price: $5–$10 (125,000–250,000 VND)/group for 30–60 minutes.
Starting Point: Phu Cho pier or Nhon Anh canals.
Highlights: “Scenic culinary adventure” (legendtravelgroup.com).
Tip: Book morning cruises (8:00–10:00 AM) for calm waters; wear life vests, provided by operators, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Our guided tours offer a seamless way to savor Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù, blending culinary adventures with Ben Tre’s cultural and natural highlights. All include transportation, English-speaking guides, and entrance fees:
Half-Day Mekong Culinary Tour ($30–$45 per person)
Visit Ben Tre Floating Restaurant ($6–$10/fish), taste elephant ear fish, and enjoy đờn ca tài tử music ($1–$3). Includes coconut water ($0.40–$0.80) and a short canal cruise ($5–$10).
Full-Day Ben Tre Food & Culture Adventure ($60–$90 per person)
Savor Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù, visit Thanh Long Coconut Candy Factory ($1.20–$2.40/300g), and explore Tuyen Linh Temple (free entry). Includes a boat ride ($5–$10) and Cơm Dừa lunch ($1.20–$3.20).
Private Culinary & Canal Tour ($80–$120 per person, minimum 2 people)
Customize with a Cá Tai Tượng cooking class ($10–$15), Phu Cho Market visit, and Mekong boat tour ($5–$10). Includes fish lunch ($6–$10) and Kẹo Dừa gift ($1–$3).
Combo Coconut Festival Tour ($50–$70 per person, July)
Experience the Ben Tre Coconut Festival (free entry, snacks $0.40–$2), taste elephant ear fish at Phu Cho, and visit Ben Tre Night Market for bì cuốn ($0.80–$1.20). Includes a canal cruise ($5–$10).
Multi-Day Mekong Delta Food Odyssey ($150–$250 per person, 2–3 days)
Combine Cá Tai Tượng tastings, Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary ($0.80–$1.20), and Con Quy Island ($5–$10 boat), with a homestay at Mekong Rustic ($15–$30/night). Includes meals and activities.
Prices include guides, transfers, activities, and meals/snacks. Exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND. Group discounts for 10+ travelers. Book now for seasonal promotions!
Ben Tre Boat Trip along Mekong (Source: Internet)Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù is a Mekong Delta classic, celebrated for its crispy scales, tender flesh, and communal dining style, per legendtravelgroup.com. Its preparation—frying whole fish in hot oil without removing scales—creates a unique texture, per legendtravelgroup.com. The dish’s fresh ingredients, paired with herbs and mắm nêm, reflect Ben Tre’s aquatic and agricultural bounty, per vietnamnet.vn. A staple at festivals and markets, it embodies Vinh Long’s culinary heritage, per legendtravelgroup.com. Tripadvisor reviews praise its flavor but note peak-season crowds; our tours ensure access to vetted vendors and guided dining for comfort. This dish’s dramatic presentation and interactive rolling make it a culinary highlight.
Plan Timing: Visit December–April for mild weather or July for the Coconut Festival; book tours 1–2 weeks ahead for festivals, per vietnam.vn.
Pack Smart: Wear light clothing, closed shoes for markets, and raincoats for May–October. Bring a reusable bag for snacks, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Budget Wisely: Fish costs $6–$10 (150,000–250,000 VND); budget $2–$5 for meals, $5–$10 for boat rides, and $10–$15 for cooking classes.
Respect Vendors: Follow dining etiquette; ask before photographing preparation, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Bring Cash: Small VND notes (5,000–20,000) for stalls and boats; few vendors accept cards, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Stay Safe: Keep valuables secure in markets; use crossbody bags. Boat rides require life vests, provided by operators, per legendtravelgroup.com.
Join a Guided Tour: Legend Travel Group’s tours ensure vetted vendors, safe transport, and cultural insights, addressing crowding concerns noted on Tripadvisor.
Ready to savor Ben Tre’s iconic elephant ear fish? Legend Travel Group makes it effortless:
Browse Tours: Explore our culinary-focused options on this page (right or below).
Customize Your Trip: Contact us for private tours, festival itineraries, or cooking class add-ons.
Book Seamlessly: Secure your spot with a small deposit and enjoy free cancellations up to 24 hours before departure.
Live the Mekong Dream: Our guides deliver an authentic, unforgettable experience in Vinh Long.
Book Now and let Legend Travel Group craft your perfect Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù adventure!
Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù in Ben Tre ward, Vinh Long province, is a Mekong Delta culinary treasure, offering a crispy, flavorful taste of the region’s aquatic heritage. From savoring it at Ben Tre Floating Restaurant to mastering its preparation in a cooking class, this elephant ear fish dish captivates with its vibrant presentation and communal dining style. Legend Travel Group’s Ben Tre Tours provide a seamless, authentic way to experience this delicacy, ensuring a sustainable Ben Tre Travel experience blending culinary adventures with Ben Tre’s canals, markets, and cultural gems like Kẹo Dừa and đờn ca tài tử music. Don’t just dream of Ben Tre’s foodie paradise—taste it. Browse our featured tours on this page and book your Mekong Delta adventure today!
Ready to try Cá Tai Tượng Chiên Xù? Reserve your tour with Legend Travel Group and immerse yourself in Ben Tre’s culinary heart!
Author Bio: Written by Tony Bùi at Legend Travel Group, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights and guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys.
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