Stir-Fried Coconut Shoots with Shrimp

Ben Tre is honored to have been selected by the Vietnam Record Organization as having 2 dishes among the Top 100 Vietnamese Specialty Dishes for the 5th time in 2021-2022, including Stir-Fried Coconut Shoots with Shrimp. The impressive experience of enjoying this dish will be the sweet and crunchy texture within each piece of coconut shoot, combined with the natural fragrant sweetness of the shrimp. 

Coconut shoots stir-fried with shrimp is one of the popular dishes enjoyed by diners. Coconut shoots are cut into pieces of thin one and soaked in ice water mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice to maintain their crispness and white color when preparing the dish. After soaking in ice water, they are quickly blanched in boiling water. The shrimp is cleaned and then sautéed with fragrant garlic, added the coconut shoots and season with spices. When the coconut shoots stir-fried with shrimp is cooked, it is served with white rice and can be accompanied by soy sauce or chili fish sauce.

Coconut shoot salad with shrimp and pork

One of the distinctive and famous dishes of the hometown of coconuts, Ben Tre, is the Coconut Shoot Salad with Shrimp and Meat. It is a must-try when visiting there.

This dish is characterized by the main ingredient which is made from Ben Tre's fresh and crunchy coconut shoot. It has a fragrant and refreshing taste, adding a delightful sweetness to the dish.

Coconut shoot salad with braised pork and boiled shrimp is a dish that combines the flavors of Ben Tre's fresh coconut shoot, tender braised pork, and succulent boiled shrimp. The dressing used in the salad enhances the deliciousness and nutrition of the dish. With the sweet and sour taste of each piece of coconut shoot, the crispy texture of fresh shrimp, and the rich flavor of belly pork, combined with the distinctive aroma of Vietnamese coriander, fried purple onion, and roasted peanuts, one bite of this dish will leave a lasting impression.

Coconut porridge

Coconut porridge is a combination of rice and coconut milk. Ben Tre coconut porridge offers a delightful taste experience. It used to be a popular breakfast dish among rural residents in the land of coconuts and is loved by many. Coconut porridge is a simple dish made with white rice, coconut milk, and grated coconut flesh. The rice is cooked until soft and then mixed with coconut milk and grated coconut. All the ingredients are blended harmoniously to create a delicious and comforting flavor. When eating coconut porridge, one can taste the natural sweetness of the coconut, along with a hint of saltiness or dried fish, roasted shrimp, and various seafood such as catfish, snakehead fish, clams, and mussels, which add further variations to the dish when cooked together.