DELICIOUS SPECIALTIES OF THE MEKONG DELTA DURING FLOOD SEASON

Delicious Dishes from Linh Fish When it comes to the flood season, everyone immediately thinks of Linh fish. From the upper reaches of the Mekong River, this fish species follows the floodwaters to the Mekong Delta like a generous gift from nature. It is also the season of livelihood for many families who make a living from fishing nets, traps, hooks, and lines.
As the fish drifts along the water, it grows in size and reproduces. At the beginning of the flood season, Linh fish is small, resembling a chopstick, so people call it "young Linh fish." As the fish is still small, its bones are soft, and its belly is fatty and tender. Young Linh fish cooked with coconut water and sugarcane has an amazingly delicious taste. The rich and fatty flavor of the fish blends with the sweet aroma of coconut, making the dish unique. Linh fish braised with pepper in a clay pot, eaten with white rice, is simple yet flavorful, just like the warm hospitality of the people in the Mekong Delta.
Crispy Fried Linh Fish
If the fish is the size of a finger, it can be used to make sour soup with wild pineapple, celery, sawtooth coriander, or deep-fried to be crispy, coated with batter and served with tamarind fish sauce or braised in fish sauce. The dish of Linh fish dipped in sour soup with wild pineapple is worth trying for tourists. The fish doesn't need to be scaled, just gently rubbed with a bamboo basket, then gutted and marinated with a mixture of salt, sugar, seasoning powder, pepper, and minced garlic. The vinegar used should be special vinegar with a distinct sour taste.
Linh Fish Hotpot with Wild Pineapple
The best way to enjoy Linh fish is in the midst of the leafy huts by the river, listening to the rustling wind and the melodious folk tunes to truly experience the essence of the Mekong Delta. Sharing a meal with the locals, enjoying freshly cooked rice, sour Linh fish soup with wild pineapple, savoring the tender and crispy bites of fish, and drinking a cup of sticky rice wine will create unforgettable experiences for those who visit this land.
Wild Pineapple Blossom A vibrant scene in the Mekong Delta during the flood season is the radiant yellow color along the canals and river banks from the wild pineapple blossoms. When nourished by the alluvial deposits, the wild pineapple blossoms bloom, bringing a unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. Simply plucking the leaves and rinsing them clean adds a simple touch to the dishes in this region.
Stir-Fried Shrimp with Wild Pineapple Blossom
Wild pineapple blossoms can be prepared in various ways, from simple to elaborate. On lazy days when you don't feel like going to the market, stir-frying the wild pineapple blossoms with garlic is satisfying enough. Even more enticing is the sour Linh fish soup with the added golden color of the blossoms. The wild pineapple blossoms are crispy, and when eaten, they have a slight bitterness but leave a sweet aftertaste in the throat, making one crave for more. Besides, the locals in the Mekong Delta also use wild pineapple blossoms to make stir-fried shrimp, fish noodle soup, and various braised dishes.
Sour Linh Fish Soup with Wild Pineapple Blossom
Wild Pineapple Blossom Pancake In addition to the familiar dishes like wild pineapple blossom hotpot or sour soup with wild pineapple blossoms, wild pineapple blossom pancakes are one.