Không phải phở, đặc sản tới từ miền Tây này mới là món ăn lọt top 10 ngon nhất thế giới

Not fancy or associated with upscale restaurants, a familiar dish from the Mekong Delta region has unexpectedly made its mark on the global culinary map.

When a hometown dish surpasses many world-renowned specialties

According to the Top 10 Best Fish Dishes in the World ranking published by TasteAtlas in May 2024, Vietnamese sour fish soup achieved an average score of approximately 4.5 out of 5 stars. Notably, this dish ranked above many familiar names in Asian cuisine such as unadon, sashimi, salmon nigiri sushi from Japan, or tuna gimbap (chamchi gimbap) from Korea.

TasteAtlas describes sour fish soup as a general term referring to a group of traditional Vietnamese fish soups, notable for their harmonious balance of sour, sweet, and spicy flavors, providing a light yet rich taste. This balance makes the dish accessible to international diners, including those trying Vietnamese cuisine for the first time.

Fish sour soup is among the top 10 best dishes in the world. (Image: Youtube)

According to Marketing World, the core appeal of Western Vietnam's sour soup lies not in the elaborate cooking technique, but in the way the ingredients are combined, perfectly reflecting the riverine culture. The sourness usually comes from ripe tamarind, sometimes from star fruit or pineapple, creating a refreshing and pleasant sensation.

A traditional sour soup typically includes tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, mint, taro stems, etc. When the soup is taken off the heat, the cook sprinkles in coriander and sawtooth coriander to enhance the characteristic aroma. The broth is clear, with a mild sourness and a natural sweetness from the fish, enough to stimulate the taste buds from the very first spoonful.

According to TasteAtlas, the combination of fresh ingredients, natural spices, and just the right amount of seasoning creates the distinctly Vietnamese identity of this simple yet flavorful sour fish soup.

A traditional sour fish soup usually contains tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, mint, taro stems, etc. (Photo: Lorca)

Another interesting aspect of sour fish soup is its diversity of ingredients. People in the Mekong Delta, with its intricate network of rivers, often use types of catfish such as basa, tra, hu, and catfish. In other regions, sour soup can be made with snakehead fish, carp, catfish, or even salmon in modern versions.

Regardless of the type of fish used, the overall spirit of the dish remains light, easy to eat, and not cloying. TasteAtlas highly appreciates this point, as it is a factor that makes sour fish soup suitable for many different cuisines, not too strong or too rich compared to international tastes.

Each region has its own variations, but they're all delicious with rice.

Sour fish soup isn't just found in the Mekong Delta; it's present in many regions across the country. Each place has its own way of seasoning: some prefer a strong sour taste, others lean towards a subtle sweetness, and some add more chili for spiciness. However, for people in the Mekong Delta, sour fish soup is most closely associated with the flood season.

Sour fish soup isn't just found in the Mekong Delta; it's present in many regions across the country. (Photo: Lodge)

When the water rises, young snakehead fish appear along with vibrant yellow water hyacinth flowers on both sides of the river, creating the seasonal dish of sour fish soup with water hyacinth flowers. This version is also mentioned by many international food websites as a prime example of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

In everyday meals, sour fish soup is often served with white rice, braised fish, and fresh vegetables – a simple yet harmonious combination that perfectly reflects the slow pace of life in the riverine region.

The inclusion of sour fish soup in TasteAtlas's top 10 list of the world's best fish dishes is not only a recognition of its flavor, but also demonstrates the enduring value of Vietnamese cuisine. These are dishes that don't chase trends, yet still manage to win over global diners thanks to their authenticity and balance.

The inclusion of sour fish soup in TasteAtlas's top 10 list of the world's best fish dishes is not only a recognition of its flavor, but also demonstrates the enduring value of Vietnamese cuisine. (Image: Youtube)

Many articles in Tuoi Tre Online, The Gioi Tiep Thi, and Dan Viet have commented that sour fish soup is a prime example of how Vietnamese cuisine doesn't need to be "high-end" to make an international impact, as long as it retains its identity.

Amidst countless modern delicacies, sour fish soup still holds a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people. It's the flavor of memories, of evening meals, of images of mothers or grandmothers cooking, carefully seasoning each spoonful of soup to suit the family's taste.

The fact that this dish has been honored on the world's culinary rankings not only makes people in the Mekong Delta proud, but also serves as a reminder that sometimes, it is the simplest, most rustic dishes that leave the longest lasting impression on international friends about Vietnam.