Eating Silkworms at Coop Mart Dong Xoai

Eating Silkworms at Coop Mart Dong Xoai: A Unique Flavor in Dong Xoai City, Bình Phước Province

When it comes to trying unusual foods abroad, many people might think of street food or rare local dishes. But for me, mr.hotsia, this memorable eating experience happened inside a shopping mall.Coop Martin Dong Xoai city, Bình Phước province, Vietnam. This place is not just an ordinary mall but a hub of interesting local foods with its own charm.

Dong Xoai is a small city in Bình Phước province, a border province adjacent to the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. I traveled here once several years ago, and on this return trip, I chose to stay at a hotel next to Coop Mart for easy access to stroll and find food for every meal.Read more about Dong Xoai cityThis city has a lively morning market and many local restaurants to choose from. But what impressed me the most was trying “silkworms” or silkworm larvae stir-fried with a salty and rich flavor—a dish I have never encountered in shopping malls back home.

Coop Mart: A Local Food Hub That’s Unusual but Delightful

Coop Mart in Dong Xoai is like a center for diverse local foods and fresh produce. I usually spend hours wandering this mall every time I visit because besides souvenirs and daily goods, there are many unusual foods to try, including Vietnamese rice with curry, various stir-fried dishes, and the dish I will share today: silkworms prepared as a specialty.

The silkworms I found in the food court area here are not fresh silkworms just harvested but silkworms that have had their silk threads extracted. Only the cleaned silkworm bodies remain, stir-fried and seasoned with local spices. The taste is salty and rich, perfect when eaten with hot steamed rice. I found the flavor to be unique, fresh, and very local—different from what I’ve had in Thailand, where silkworms are usually found only in markets or small shops, not in shopping malls or food courts like this.

Local Life and Food in Dong Xoai City

Dong Xoai has a charm I feel every time I visit. The morning market here clearly reflects the lifestyle of the locals.Dong Xoai Morning MarketHere you can find fresh produce, various fruits, and meats, some of which might look unusual to tourists, such as a separate dog meat stall or strange-looking fish found only in southern Vietnam.

I enjoy walking through this market early in the morning because of its lively atmosphere and the colorful scenes of locals shopping. Sometimes, street vendors sell delicious local dishes for close tasting. Eating at a morning market like this makes me feel like I’m truly experiencing Vietnamese life, not just passing through as a tourist.

Why Try Eating Silkworms at Coop Mart?

For me, mr.hotsia, eating silkworms at Coop Mart Dong Xoai is like opening a new experience in local cuisine unlike any other. Although silkworms are sold in some markets in Thailand, they are not as widespread and have never been seen sold in a food court of a shopping mall like this.

Besides the unique flavor, eating food that locals actually eat reflects the cultural diversity and lifestyle in Bình Phước province very well. For those who love trying unusual foods or want to try something new, I recommend trying silkworms at Coop Mart in Dong Xoai at least once.

Travel and Accommodation in Dong Xoai

To get to Dong Xoai city, I usually take a bus from Thu Dau Mot city, the capital of Binh Duong province, which is not far from Ho Chi Minh City. You have to get off in the city center and find accommodation on foot. There are very few hotels, only about 4-6, most of which offer karaoke services.

I chose to stay at a hotel next to Coop Mart for convenience in finding food and strolling at night. Although the air conditioning was not perfect and there was some cigarette smell, the price was affordable and suitable for travelers wanting to experience authentic local atmosphere.Read more about traveling in Bình Phước province

mr.hotsia’s Impressions Summary

Eating silkworms at Coop Mart in Dong Xoai was an unforgettable experience. The salty and rich taste combined with local spices reminded me that traveling is not just sightseeing but immersing in the true food culture of southern Vietnam.

If you love food and want to open your world with new flavors, I, mr.hotsia, recommend coming here. You will realize that food travel in Dong Xoai is truly extraordinary.