Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu (Deep-Fried Elephant Ear Fish)

Post on : 05 August, 2025

Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu is an iconic Mekong dish, often found at riverside restaurants and countryside feasts. The whole elephant ear fish is deep-fried until its skin is puffed and crispy, while the flesh remains moist and flaky. Diners usually wrap pieces of the fish in rice paper with herbs and dip them in sweet-sour fish sauce, making each bite full of texture and freshness.

Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu is not just a dish, it’s a showstopper at any Mekong Delta meal. The whole elephant ear fish is fried until golden and crispy, then served upright like a sculpture, ready to impress diners before they even take a bite.

The fish has thick, mild-tasting flesh that becomes incredibly crispy on the outside while staying moist inside. It’s typically served with rice paper, fresh herbs, cucumber, pickles, and vermicelli, so you can wrap your own rolls and dip them into sweet-sour fish sauce.

This is a favorite dish at garden restaurants and floating market eateries. Sharing Ca Tai Tuong Chien Xu with a group while sitting by the river is a truly authentic Can Tho experience, combining flavor, fun, and local ambiance.