Lẩu Bần – A Rustic Hotpot Dish in Western Vietnam

December 19, 2023 Camie Ha Vietnam Cuisine 0

Most of the delicious dishes of Western Vietnam are simple and bring a familiar feeling. Among them, lẩu bần (cork fruit hotpot) is one of the famous dishes and loved by everyone.

Cork fruit (trái bần) is a rustic tree familiar to people in the Southwest region of Vietnam as it grows in abundance around alluvial plains. The fruit is round and flat in shape, and the taste is sour and acrid. Because of that characteristic, it has gradually become a unique spice to create delicious and famous specialties.

Specialties

The main ingredient of the dish is cork fruit

– The Broth: The broth is the foundation of lẩu bần. It is made from cork fruit, fish bones, pork bone, and tamarind juice. The broth is light and refreshing, with a subtle tartness.

– The Ingredients: Lẩu bần is typically served with a variety of fresh ingredients, including fish, vegetables, and herbs. 

– The Dipping Sauce: Lẩu bần is typically enjoyed with a simple dipping sauce, such as fish sauce with lime juice, chilies, and garlic.

– The communal dining experience: Lẩu bần is a communal dish that is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. The hot pot is typically served in the center of the table, where everyone can gather around and cook their food. This makes it a fun and interactive dining experience.

Main ingredient

– Cork fruit: is a small, round fruit. It has thick, green skin and a fleshy, white interior. The flesh of the cork fruit is sour and acrid, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. This fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. It is also a low-calorie food, making it a healthy option for a hot pot dish.

– Fish: Catfish, basa, and red tilapia are popular choices for lẩu bần. These fish are delicate and firm in texture, and they cook quickly in the hot broth.

Delicious lẩu bần

– Vegetables: Wild banana blossom, water lilies, sesbania sesban flower, Morning Glory, water spinach, lotus root, okra, and Vietnamese spinach are all common additions to lẩu bần. These vegetables add a variety of colors, textures, and flavors to the dish.

– Herbs: Basil, mint, and cilantro are all popular herbs that are used in lẩu bần. These herbs add a touch of freshness and aromatic complexity to the dish.

Recommend some places to enjoy

  • Lẩu bần Cần Thơ phù sa: Cồn Ấu, Hưng Phú Ward, Cái Răng District, Cần Thơ City.
  • Sân chim Vàm Hồ: Tân Quý Hamlet, Tân Mỹ Commune, Ba Tri District, Bến Tre Province

If you are looking for a delicious and authentic Vietnamese dish, Lẩu bần is a great option. It is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone.

Get an opportunity to enjoy wonderful Vietnamese cuisine through Vietnam E-Visa!