15 Must-try Can Tho food that define the flavors of Southern Vietnam

Can Tho is not only famous for its floating markets and river culture, but also for its vibrant street food and regional specialties. With influences from Khmer, Chinese, and Southern Vietnamese cuisines, the city offers a rich culinary experience that reflects the warmth and diversity of the delta. Whether you're craving a comforting bowl of hu tieu, a sweet treat like grilled sticky banana, or a refreshing sugarcane juice, Can Tho has it all. Let’s dive into the top local foods that every traveler should taste while visiting this riverside gem.

Mekong-style banh xeo (crispy pancake)

Unlike the smaller, thinner Central-style version, the banh xeo of Can Tho is a true Mekong masterpiece. These giant sizzling rice pancakes are golden and crispy, their batter infused with turmeric and coconut milk for a delicate aroma and crunch. Each one is generously filled with a savory mix of river shrimp, sliced pork belly, bean sprouts, and sometimes jicama or wood ear mushrooms for extra texture.

Can Tho crispy pancake (source: Tico Travel)

What makes Can Tho’s banh xeo so special is how it’s eaten. Locals wrap pieces of the pancake in a leafy mix of fresh herbs and wild greens—everything from mustard leaves, lettuce, mango leaves to betel and starfruit leaves—then dip them into a sweet and tangy Mekong-style fish sauce. Every bite is a vibrant mix of crunch, freshness, and flavor that truly captures the essence of the southern countryside.

Madam Muoi Xiem, the artisan behind the dish, has even brought this culinary treasure to international food shows, showcasing the charm of Mekong Delta cuisine to the world. Today, her eatery is more than just a place to enjoy crispy pancakes, it's a cultural stop where visitors can taste the love and craftsmanship poured into every bite.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Banh Xeo 7 Toi – Le Loi Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Co Ut’s Banh Xeo – 43/16 Tran Phu, Cai Khe Ward.
• Muoi Xiem Banh Xeo – 13 Hoang Quoc Viet.

Madam Muoi Xiem, the artisan behind the dish, has even brought this culinary treasure to international food shows, showcasing the charm of Mekong Delta cuisine to the world. Today, her eatery is more than just a place to enjoy crispy pancakes — it's a cultural stop where visitors can taste the love and craftsmanship poured into every bite.

Can Tho fermented fish hotpot

A signature dish of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho’s fermented fish hotpot (lau mam) is a bold and aromatic experience. The broth, made from fermented fish and coconut water, is simmered with lemongrass to create a rich, savory base that’s deeply rooted in local tradition.

It’s typically enjoyed with a colorful array of fresh vegetables like water lily stems, wild herbs, and river greens, along with hearty toppings such as snakehead fish, shrimp, squid, and pork belly.

Braised duck with fermented bean curd 

This rich and flavorful hotpot is one of Can Tho’s most beloved specialties. Tender duck is marinated and slow-cooked in a broth made with coconut milk and a mix of red and white fermented tofu, creating a creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile. It's typically served with rice noodles, water spinach, and a punchy ginger fish sauce for dipping. What makes this dish unforgettable is the way the fat duck, earthy taro, and fermented bean curd melt together into a deeply satisfying, comforting experience. 

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Thanh Giao Duck Hotpot – 140 Le Lai Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Vit Nau Chao Alley 1 Ly Tu Trong.
• Sau Hao Duck Hotpot – Tran Ngoc Que Street, Xuan Khanh Ward. 

Banh Cong 

These golden, deep-fried “cups” are made using a special metal mold, filled with a batter of rice flour mixed with mung beans, ground pork, and topped with a whole shrimp. Once fried, they turn crisp on the outside while staying soft and flavorful inside.

Banh Cong (source: MIA)

The dish is typically served with a vibrant mix of fresh herbs, lettuce, and a sweet-sour dipping fish sauce. Each bite delivers a perfect balance, crunchy, savory, fresh, and slightly tangy, making it unforgettable for locals and visitors alike.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Co Ut’s Banh Cong – 86/38 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Thanh Van Banh Cong – 133 Huynh Cuong Street, An Cu Ward.
• Cai Rang Floating Market.

Read more: Can Tho floating market: A colorful look into river life

Banh tet la cam

While northern Vietnam celebrates with square green banh chung, the Mekong Delta proudly offers its own festive star: banh tet la cam. What makes this sticky rice cake stand out is its striking purple hue, naturally dyed with magenta plant leaves (la cam). 

Banh tet la cam (source: Vin ID)

Wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked to perfection, each roll reveals a vibrant mosaic of glutinous purple rice surrounding creamy mung beans, salty egg yolk, and rich pork belly. Though it’s a must during Lunar New Year, locals enjoy this beautiful cake year-round. For Can Tho residents, it’s not just food, it’s a symbol of home.

Where to buy in Can Tho:

• Ba Ba’s Banh Tet La Cam – 102 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Cai Rang Floating Market
• An Nghiep Market 

Bun Mam 

Bun Mam isn’t for the faint of heart, but for those who embrace its bold aroma, it’s an unforgettable experience of the Mekong Delta’s rich culinary soul. The broth is made from fermented fish paste, usually mam linh or mam sac, slowly simmered until it melts into a savory, slightly sweet, and deeply umami base. Lemongrass, eggplant, and palm sugar are added to balance out the intense flavors.

Each bowl comes generously topped with plump shrimp, squid, fish, and sometimes slices of crispy roasted pork. It’s served with thick rice vermicelli noodles and a heap of fresh vegetables, banana blossoms, water spinach, and lotus stems. The pungent smell may greet you before the bowl arrives, but the taste is a complex harmony of salty, sweet, rich, and fresh that keeps people coming back.

Where to try Bun Mam in Can Tho:

• Bun Mam 173 – 173 Mau Than Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Chi Sau’s Bun Mam – Alley 51 Nguyen Trai, An Hoi Ward.
• Cai Khe Market.

Grilled snakehead fish 

Simple in preparation but rich in flavor, ca loc nuong trui is a true taste of rural Vietnam. A whole live snakehead fish is skewered and grilled directly over burning rice straw. The flames char the skin and infuse the fish with a smoky aroma, while the inside stays moist, flaky, and naturally sweet. Once the burnt skin is scraped off, what remains is tender white meat with a distinct, fire-kissed fragrance.

Grilled snakehead fish (source: TOH fish)

This dish is best enjoyed the Southern way, wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, vermicelli noodles, and dipped in a tangy tamarind fish sauce or fermented anchovy sauce (mam nem). It’s not just a meal; it’s a hands-on experience that reflects the earthy, no-frills charm of life along the Mekong.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Huong Lua Restaurant – 196C Nguyen Van Cu Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Southern Folk Cuisine Restaurant – 18 Tran Van Kheo, Cai Khe Ward.
• Cay Buoi Restaurant – Nguyen Van Linh Street.

Cai Rang grilled pork sausage 

Among Can Tho’s many delicacies, Cai Rang grilled pork sausage stands out for its unique flavor. Made from finely ground pork seasoned to perfection, the sausages are shaped by hand and grilled over hot charcoal. The sizzling sound and savory aroma wafting through the air are enough to make any passerby stop and crave a bite.

The grilled sausage is paired with banh hoi (thin vermicelli sheets), fresh herbs, cucumber, green banana, and starfruit, all wrapped in rice paper. The soul of the dish, though, lies in its rich dipping sauce - a thick, nutty blend of pork liver, peanuts, garlic, and chili. The result is a harmony of smoky, savory, sweet, and tangy.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Thanh Van Nem Nuong – 17 Hoa Binh Avenue, Ninh Kieu District.
• Cai Rang Floating Market.
• Ut Hien’s Nem Nuong – 13 Nguyen Trai, Tan An Ward.

Grilled Sticky Rice Banana

Grilled sticky rice banana is a beloved snack across the Mekong Delta, especially in Can Tho. In the late afternoon, it’s common to see smoke rising gently from roadside vendors’ carts as they grill bananas wrapped in sticky rice. The warm aroma drifts through the air, luring in both locals and tourists with its comforting, nostalgic scent.

Can Tho grilled sticky rice banana (source: can tho logistic)

To serve, vendors ladle a warm coconut sauce over the top, thickened with a touch of tapioca flour and lightly sweetened. A generous sprinkle of crushed roasted peanuts adds a nutty finish. The dish delivers a perfect balance: the natural sweetness of the banana, the chewy texture of the rice, the richness of coconut milk, and the crunch of peanuts. It’s simple, humble, and deeply satisfying—a taste of home for many in the Mekong region.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Co Ut’s Grilled Banana – Mau Than Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Vendors near Xuan Khanh Market.
• Carts around Luu Huu Phuoc Park.

Can Tho hu tieu

Can Tho’s hu tieu stands out with its translucent, slightly chewy noodles that are blanched just right to remain soft without becoming mushy. The broth is clear and mildly sweet, simmered carefully with pork bones and often added with white radish to enhance the natural sweetness.

A bowl of hu tieu is attractively presented with thinly sliced pork, pig’s heart and liver, shrimp, and sometimes quail eggs, all topped with scallions, fresh bean sprouts, garlic chives, and crispy pork fat. Some places also offer a dry version, where the noodles are served separately with a rich sauce and the broth on the side—ideal for those who enjoy savoring each element on its own.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Hu Tieu Sau Hoai – 6 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Hu Tieu Muoi Xiem – Nguyen Van Cu Street.
• Hu Tieu Ca Dau – near Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Banh tam bi

Banh tam bi is a traditional Vietnamese dish made with thick, soft rice noodles topped with shredded pork and pork skin. The pork is usually mixed with toasted rice powder, giving it a light, nutty aroma. The noodles are served with a rich coconut milk sauce and a side of sweetened fish sauce.

Banh Tam bi (source: viet air)

This dish is often enjoyed with pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and crispy fried shallots. It is commonly eaten for breakfast or as a light afternoon meal in Can Tho and other parts of southern Vietnam. Though it’s a simple dish, the blend of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors makes it a local favorite.

Where to try it in Can Tho:

• Banh Tam Bi Chin Cua – 237 Tran Hung Dao, Ninh Kieu District.
• Can Tho Market.

Banh Mi Am Phu

Banh mi am phu is a popular late-night street food found in southern Vietnam. It’s a type of Vietnamese sandwich made with a crusty baguette filled with a variety of savory ingredients. Common fillings include slices of pork sausage, grilled meat, shredded pork, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and fresh herbs.

Vendors usually add sauces like soy sauce, chili sauce, or mayonnaise to bring all the flavors together. This sandwich is often sold in the evening or late at night, making it a favorite choice for those looking for a quick and satisfying meal after dark.

Where to try in Can Tho:

• Banh Mi 24h – 6 Mau Than Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Co Dung Banh Mi – 25A Nguyen Trai Street, Ninh Kieu.

Banh hoi heo quay

Banh hoi with roast pork is a well-loved dish in Southern Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta. Banh hoi consists of fine rice vermicelli sheets that are soft, thin, and usually arranged into bundles. These are served with slices of crispy roast pork (heo quay), fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables.

Banh hoi heo quay (source: Can tho logistic)

The dish is often accompanied by a small bowl of garlic-infused fish sauce for dipping or drizzling. It’s typically enjoyed in the morning as a light yet flavorful meal, with a balance of textures from the tender noodles, crunchy pork skin, and fresh greens.

Where to try in Can Tho:

• Co Ut Rice Noodle and Porridge Shop – 86 Tran Ngoc Que Street, Ninh Kieu.
• Chin Nghia Banh Hoi – Mau Than Street, Cai Rang District.

Papaya salad with dried beef and soy milk

This popular street food combo is a favorite snack in many southern Vietnamese cities. The salad, known as goi kho bo, features thinly shredded green papaya topped with slices of dried beef, herbs like Thai basil, and crunchy roasted peanuts. It’s typically dressed with a sweet-and-sour fish sauce mixture and sometimes includes a touch of chili for extra heat. The mix of textures, crunchy, chewy, and tender, makes it both light and flavorful.

Many locals enjoy pairing this dish with a cup of warm or iced sua dau nanh (soy milk). The smooth, slightly sweet soy milk helps balance the strong flavors of the salad and makes for a refreshing, satisfying street food experience.

Where to try in Can Tho:

• Luu Huu Phuoc Park area – Hoa Binh Street, Ninh Kieu District.
• Co Tu Soy Milk Stall – Alley 51, Nguyen Viet Hong Street, Ninh Kieu.

My Tho sugarcane juice 

My Tho sugarcane juice, or nuoc mia, is a well-known refreshment in southern Vietnam. It’s made by pressing fresh sugarcane stalks to extract their naturally sweet juice. Vendors often add a splash of kumquat or a bit of citrus to balance the sweetness and serve it over ice for a cool, energizing drink.

My Tho sugar cane juice (source: cong ty du lich Can Tho)

In My Tho and nearby regions like Can Tho, this drink is especially popular during hot days and is commonly found at street stalls or roadside vendors. It’s a simple, affordable, and refreshing way to experience local flavors.

Where to try in Can Tho:

• Vien Sugarcane Juice Stall – 3/2 Street, near Can Tho University.
• Ong Tre Sugarcane Juice – Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Khanh Ward.

Read more: Things to do in Can Tho – Ultimate guide to Mekong Delta

From savory noodle soups to unique street snacks and refreshing drinks, Can Tho's food scene offers an authentic taste of the Mekong Delta. Each dish carries the essence of the region’s traditions, ingredients, and way of life. To truly savor the culinary essence of Can Tho, let a local guide lead the way. Asia Pacific Travel offers authentic food tours that take you deep into the heart of the city’s vibrant flavors. With expert insights and handpicked stops, these tours ensure you won’t miss a single bite of what makes Can Tho’s cuisine so unforgettable.