When mentioning the cuisine of the Tay Do region, duck and fermented tofu hotpot is always one of the first specialty dishes to be named. Among the countless addresses serving this dish, Thanh Giao restaurant has risen to become a prominent brand, attracting a large number of both locals and tourists from all over.
Located right in a bustling area, Thanh Giao restaurant's address is Alley 1/8 Ly Tu Trong, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho. Diners who wish to make an advance reservation or need information assistance can call directly at 0939933949.
Although the restaurant operates from 9:00 to 23:00, given its nature as an extremely popular spot, the most ideal time to visit is in the morning or before 17:00 to avoid overcrowding and waiting for a table.
Stepping into the restaurant, the first impression is a space heavily imbued with the rustic, casual style typical of Western Vietnam eateries. However, the atmosphere is always bustling, lively, and somewhat noisy. The restaurant frequently welcomes tourist groups and large extended families dining together, with many tables joined to accommodate groups of up to 10 members.
A major plus point in their operation is the incredibly fast service speed; despite the constant stream of customers, diners usually only have to wait about 10 minutes before a steaming hotpot is brought right to their table.
The menu at Thanh Giao is designed to be quite diverse, featuring many dishes with a strong countryside flavor, with the average price for individual dishes ranging from 100,000 VND upwards.
Naturally, the "star" of the meal is undoubtedly the duck and fermented tofu hotpot. The lowest-priced hotpot is 250,000 VND, offering a truly massive portion, easily enough to fully satisfy 3 to 4 people. The hotpot broth scores highly thanks to its rich flavor and the signature creaminess of fermented tofu, interwoven with a captivating sweetness, making it especially suitable for diners who love the intensely savory-sweet palate of Southern people. The duck meat is highly rated for its freshness; the meat is fatty and chopped into large pieces with a very generous quantity. However, the texture of the meat is somewhat tough, requiring diners to exert a bit of effort when chewing.
To compensate, accompanied by the hotpot is an extremely large basket of dipping vegetables; the greens are fresh and cleanly prepared, bringing a sense of absolute peace of mind when enjoying the meal.
Besides the famous hotpot, the side dishes here also possess their own appeal. A prime example is the grilled apple snails with green peppercorns. Each large, shiny-shelled snail is grilled over a red-hot charcoal stove, emitting an aromatic scent, blended with the spicy kick of green peppercorn strings. This is a perfect snack, excellently stimulating the taste buds before moving on to the main course.
Although the food quality receives much praise for its freshness, the restaurant still has some notable drawbacks to consider.
First is the issue of cost and portion size. Applying a starting price of 250,000 VND for a large-sized hotpot inadvertently creates difficulties for small groups of guests (1 - 2 people), easily leading to food waste because the portion is too large. It would be more reasonable and thoughtful if the restaurant added smaller hotpot options priced around 150,000 VND to meet the diverse needs of customers.
In particular, the biggest flaw that makes many people hesitate is the service and the attitude of the staff. There is a sad reality that the service here is sometimes indifferent, lacking enthusiasm, and giving off an arrogant, "don't-need-customers" vibe. This lack of professionalism in the staff's communication ruins the initial good impression, becoming a fatal flaw in the overall experience.
