Chao So Huyet 1998: Savor the Aromatic Roasted Rice Porridge and Watch the Bustling City Streets

Every region has its rustic eateries that have been attached to locals for years; though not overly fancy, they leave an unforgettable impression on diners after just one try. If you have the opportunity to visit Can Tho and want to experience a dish considered a "local specialty" that is both warming and filling, along with many snacks, then Chao So Huyet 1998 is definitely a highly worthwhile destination to drop by.

Address: 100 Ly Tu Trong, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho

Opening hours: 7:00 - 23:00

Phone: 0907 221 079

True to its name, the restaurant started serving diners in 1998 and until now remains one of the familiar spots for Can Tho locals whenever they want to find a hot bowl of porridge to warm their stomachs. Without needing much promotion, the place consistently attracts crowds thanks to its stable flavors maintained over many years, becoming one of the "local" eateries spread by word of mouth and recommended when friends and relatives visit the city.

The restaurant is located right on the frontage of Ly Tu Trong street, making it quite easy to find. The space is spacious and airy with both indoor and sidewalk seating areas, catering to the preferences of many customers who enjoy eating while watching the streets or prefer a slightly more peaceful, private setting. A major plus point is that the restaurant has convenient motorbike parking and an area that can accommodate cars, making it highly suitable for families or groups of friends stopping by for a meal.

What makes the restaurant's brand is the blood cockle porridge. Besides, diners can also choose various toppings such as squid, beef, oysters, or combine multiple types in a single bowl according to their preferences. What makes the porridge here distinct lies in the rice, which is roasted before cooking. Thanks to this, the porridge has a very characteristic aroma, and the rice grains expand softly while maintaining a moderate consistency, being neither too thick nor too runny.

When served, a bowl of porridge is fully prepared with scallions, cilantro, fried garlic, cabbage, bean sprouts, and accompanied by a plate of vegetables including pennywort and bitter herbs. It is the combination of the roasted rice aroma, the refreshing taste of vegetables, and the natural sweetness from blood cockles, oysters, beef, or squid that creates a very harmonious ensemble. The dish has no fishy smell at all; on the contrary, it is very easy to eat. The more you eat, the more clearly you feel the delicate sweetness of the ingredients blending with the distinct fragrance of the porridge.

The porridge is seasoned quite well to taste, so most diners can enjoy it right away. However, if you prefer a stronger flavor, try adding a little fish sauce. Don't worry about the dish becoming overly salty, because just enough fish sauce not only enhances the flavor but also brings out a signature aroma, making the bowl of porridge even more appealing. If you like a mild sourness, you can also squeeze in a little kumquat juice, creating a very interesting balance of sour, sweet, salty, and aromatic flavors. For those who can eat spicy food, adding a few slices of chili will help round out the flavor of the dish. Of course, the way to enjoy it depends on each person's palate.

A small note is that when you order porridge, the restaurant will serve a plate of accompanying vegetables and a portion of fried dough sticks (Quay) by default. However, the fried dough sticks will be charged according to the price listed on the menu, so if you do not want them, you can ask the staff beforehand to avoid confusion.

Not only famous for its porridge, but the restaurant's menu is also quite diverse with many other dishes for diners to change their palate. Among them, fresh spring rolls (goi cuon) are highly worth trying. The important point is that the restaurant only starts rolling when customers order instead of making them in advance. This helps the rolls stay fresh, retain the crispness of the vegetables, and is also convenient if customers want to adjust some ingredients inside.

The dipping sauce is a plus point worth mentioning. The sauce has a mild sweetness and a fragrant richness from soybean paste, perfectly suiting those who love the Western region's dipping sauce style. If you want to balance the sweetness, just add a little kumquat juice, and you will instantly have a harmonious sweet-and-sour dipping sauce, making the spring rolls even more enticing.