chao quang in Bac Lieu Vietnam (Fish Rice Porridge Bac Lieu)

Chao Tom Ca Bac Lieu: A Local Flavor You Must Try in Southern Vietnam

I, mr.hotsia, had the chance to visit Bac Lieu Province in southern Vietnam, a place not frequented by many foreign tourists but hiding many gems unknown to most. One of these is “chao tom ca” or as locals call it,chao quanga dish I tried and loved so much that I want to share the details with you.

Bac Lieu is a province located at the end of the Mekong River in southern Vietnam. Most of the area is lowland near the sea and canals, rich in natural resources, especially fish and seafood, due to its river and estuary location. Traveling here was very convenient for me, mr.hotsia, with continuous bus and car services. Although not a major tourist city, I felt I truly experienced the local way of life.

The atmosphere of a chao tom ca restaurant in Bac Lieu

I found a chao tom ca restaurant right in front of my hotel and opposite a bus stop. It was a small place but packed with locals and Vietnamese tourists. The restaurant wasn’t fancy, but the aroma of the rice porridge and steam from the pot immediately caught my attention.

What impressed me most was how the restaurant added just the right amount of fish meat—not too much to be greasy—and without the fishy smell that can be a problem in some places. The rice porridge was cooked until the grains broke down into a thick texture, simmered gently with constant stirring, resulting in a smooth flavor. Fresh fish was beautifully arranged on top of the porridge.

The flavors and dishes I tried

I ordered the regular fish porridge and seafood porridge, which included fish, shrimp, and small clams. The broth was rich and sweet from fish bones and shrimp shells simmered together. I noticed the restaurant used spices different from those in Thai fish porridge, such as sliced ginger and fresh green onions, which enhanced the fish aroma.

Here, chao tom ca is not just a breakfast dish; locals in Bac Lieu also enjoy it for dinner or late-night meals because it’s light and easy to digest. I met many repeat customers who came back regularly.

Differences between Bac Lieu fish porridge and Thai fish porridge

From my experience tasting chao tom ca in Bac Lieu, I felt it was clearly different from Thai fish porridge. Here, fresh ingredients from the sea and canals are used, seasoned with local spices unique to the region. There is little to no chili or strong seasoning, focusing on the natural flavors of the fish and rice porridge.

Besides fish porridge, Bac Lieu offers a variety of fish dishes such as spicy stir-fried snake and coconut-baked shrimp, recommended by the provincial tourism office. This province has abundant fish and is an important seafood source. I heard that Bac Lieu used to be like the last river province of Thailand with many coconuts, but unlike us, they rarely use coconuts for spicy curry. This is another interesting difference.

Travel and accommodation in Bac Lieu

If you want to try chao tom ca in Bac Lieu, I recommend staying in the city center where there are affordable hotels and guesthouses. I stayed at a small hotel near the chao tom ca restaurant mentioned, which was convenient for traveling and finding other local foods.

If you have interest in northern Vietnamese provinces likeLang Son Provincewhere I experienced roasted duck and beautiful mountains, or want to visit tourist cities likeNha Trang Seawith its beautiful beaches and great atmosphere, you can easily continue your trip by bus because Bac Lieu is a good connecting point in southern Vietnam.

Summary of experience from mr.hotsia

Chao tom ca in Bac Lieu is one of the local flavors I, mr.hotsia, highly recommend to food lovers and travelers seeking something new. It’s not just ordinary fish porridge but a blend of culinary culture and the simple yet delicious lifestyle of southern Vietnam.

If you want to experience authentic Vietnamese food without going far to big cities or main tourist spots, Bac Lieu is a very interesting choice. If you enjoy traveling where you meet real locals and traditional ways of life, you will get a rewarding food and travel experience.