Eating Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup

Enjoy a unique Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup experience with mr.hotsia

When it comes to Vietnamese food, many might think of pho or banh mi, but for mr.hotsia, Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup (Canh Khổ Qua) is the dish that impressed me the most when truly experiencing local food in northern Vietnam. No matter which province or city I travel to, I often seek out Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup as a main dish that truly makes me feel the local way of life.

Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup is clearly different from Thai clear soup. The bitter melon used is bitter but mild, unlike Thai bitter melon which can be very bitter and sometimes hard to eat. Importantly, in Vietnam, minced pork or ground pork is stuffed into the cleaned bitter melon, rolled into round balls, then boiled in a clear broth fragrant with Vietnamese spices such as basil leaves, culantro, and fried garlic. I vividly remember the first time I ate Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup at a morning market in Lang Son Province (Lang Son Province, Vietnam), where I stayed at the Hoang Son hotel in the heart of Lang Son city in 2015.

The Lang Son morning market was lively and bustling. I walked around sampling various foods, including roast duck, grilled pork, and many fresh items. But what caught my eye and made me want to try was the Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup stall where the vendor made it fresh on the spot. The aroma of the broth and the bitter melon that was blanched to reduce bitterness made me feel that every bite was like recharging my life energy. I liked that the clear broth was not greasy like Chinese or Thai soups, making Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup a dish you can eat every day without getting bored.

Experience Eating Bitter Melon Soup at Markets and Local Restaurants

Once, mr.hotsia traveled to a morning market in a city not far from Nha Trang sea (Nha Trang sea). I saw many vendors setting up pots of Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup early in the morning. The clear broth mixed with dark green bitter melon contrasting with the light pink minced pork looked very appetizing. I ordered a bowl to try. The broth was mellow, combined with the bittersweet taste of the bitter melon and the softness of finely ground pork that almost melted in my mouth. It was a feeling unlike any clear soup I had ever eaten in Thailand.

In Vietnam, Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup is usually eaten with hot steamed rice and fresh vegetables, often boiled or lightly pickled, which enhances the flavor and freshness of the meal. I have also tried ordering Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup at several local restaurants, both in Dalat city and nearby provinces. At a Buddhist temple in Dalat (Buddhist temple in Dalat city), I had Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup made from fresh local ingredients. The taste was similar to Lang Son but with a stronger herbal aroma in the broth, making me feel full in both body and soul and truly experiencing the Vietnamese way of life.

mr.hotsia's Tips for Eating Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup

If anyone plans to follow mr.hotsia to try Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup, I recommend visiting morning markets in the cities you visit because the recipes and flavors vary by region. For example, Lang Son focuses on simplicity with finely minced pork, while Dalat has a more fragrant herbal broth, and some places may add tofu or mushrooms for variety.

Another thing mr.hotsia really likes is eating Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made from tamarind juice and fresh chili. Sometimes adding a little fermented fish sauce enhances the flavor and adds depth to the soup’s taste.

And if anyone is interested in traveling in northern Vietnam, I recommend planning a trip toLang Son Provincebecause besides enjoying delicious Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup, the city’s atmosphere filled with mountains and local culture completes the travel experience perfectly.

Watch the Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup Eating Clip with mr.hotsia

I also made a video of eating Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup on YouTube. Anyone who wants to see the real atmosphere and how to eat without holding back can watch it here.Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup - mr.hotsiaThis clip will make you feel like you are sitting and eating Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup with me in a real Vietnamese market.

In summary, Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup is not just a filling dish but an experience that mr.hotsia wants everyone to try because it reflects the simple yet profound culture and flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. Anyone interested in deep Vietnamese food should not miss this dish.