One of the reasons I’ve been to Vietnam 9 times prior to this trip was due to work. Back then, we were developing a pretty complicated web based program with a team of programmers based in Ho Chi Minh City, and the team lead for that project was none of ther than Trinh, a friendly local chap whom I’ve developed a friendship over the years.

Quán Lẩu Cá Kèo Bà Huyện is the name of the restaurant
Quán Lẩu Cá Kèo Bà Huyện is the name of the restaurant

So on this trip, I took the opportunity to catch up with Trinh again after not seeing each other on flesh for the past 9 years or so.

Haze and I was on a rented scooter, following Trinh on his bike heading to District 3 towards Quán Lẩu Cá Kèo Bà Huyện 2 restaurant for dinner involving fish. A place I have visited in my previous trip, courtesy of another Vietnamese colleague’s introduction. I actually consulted the same person for address, too bad she was not able to join us over the holiday season.

fish is as fresh as they come, they're alive!
fish is as fresh as they come, they’re alive!

What we came here for was Keo fish, a type of freshwater goby/mudskipper measuring some half a feet or so (scientific name – pseudapocryptes elongatus). According to Trinh, this delicacy is only available in South Vietnam.

The fish is usually served in two different ways – grilled, or in soup.

The grilled version is served on a stick not entirely different from shishamo in Japanese cuisine, but of course with plenty of vege on the side, and some fish sauce based condiment on the side.

grilled keo fish vs steamboat version, Trinh & me
grilled keo fish vs steamboat version, Trinh & me

The soupy version though, came in a hotpot with even more vegetable and a side of vermicelli noodle as well. The texture is smooth and it also has a naturally sweet seafood flavor.

We didn’t know how fresh the fish were until Trinh ordered additional fishes when we ran out. They came to the table ALIVE! The waiter then carefully dump the live fish into the hotpot and close the lid real quick to spare us the death scene. A few minutes later, we were enjoying some of the sweetest and freshest seafood, the taste is not overly different from marble goby, in fact.

If you’re into some special type of seafood, this place would offer quite an experience.

P/S: I believe it was something below 300,000 VND for the three of us for this meal.

map to ba huyen 2, ho chi minh city

 

Address:
Quán Lẩu Cá Kèo Bà Huyện 2
10 Nguyễn Thông, phường 7
District 3, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
GPS: 10.777475, 106.685398
Tel: +84 8 3930 0636

KY eats – Vietnamese Street Food 101 – #7 Keo Fish, Grilled & Steamboat
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25 thoughts on “KY eats – Vietnamese Street Food 101 – #7 Keo Fish, Grilled & Steamboat

    • February 4, 2017 at 9:21 am
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      suituapui: yah, was quite interesting.

      Reply
  • February 4, 2017 at 12:36 pm
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    emmm fresh fish or eel lookalike , m looking to this exotic taste

    Reply
  • February 4, 2017 at 9:44 pm
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    Looks yummy. Does it have a lot of bones ?

    Reply
    • February 5, 2017 at 11:23 am
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      Tabea: to be honest, not too bad, there are some but not difficult to handle.

      Reply
  • February 4, 2017 at 10:07 pm
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    KY, I have yet to eaten seafood that was alive in front of me and cooked there for all to compsume. To some shocking and other good eat.

    Reply
    • February 5, 2017 at 11:23 am
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      Vickie: yeah, it’s I guess mostly an Asian thing

      Reply
      • February 7, 2017 at 6:47 am
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        wahh no wonder prezident elect trumpet is so scared of foreigners…

        Reply
        • February 7, 2017 at 10:28 am
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          kekeke: what elect? already full real presiden.

          Reply
          • February 15, 2017 at 10:57 am
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            aiiyahhhhhhhh…. president elect, president orange, president CB….. all the same 🙂

            Reply
            • February 22, 2017 at 6:10 am
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              also popularly known as…. President Putin’s Pet, The Alternative Prezident,…The 45th and LAST POTUS….

              Reply
              • February 22, 2017 at 8:55 pm
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                kekeke: apa sendiri reply sendiri?

  • February 7, 2017 at 5:15 pm
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    Dump into hot water lively in front of the patrons, too gross/cruel for me >_<

    Reply
    • February 8, 2017 at 10:12 am
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      Choi Yen: killing for us is ok so long as we don’t see it right? haha.

      Reply
  • February 7, 2017 at 10:57 pm
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    First coming to asia I was a grossed out by the live fish shown on the street. after eating them it wasn’t so bad, but I’m still kinda grossed out seeing them.

    Reply
    • February 8, 2017 at 10:12 am
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      Tom: yeah, it does take quite a bit of getting used to.

      Reply
  • November 10, 2017 at 7:00 pm
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    Hello, I’m Vietnamese, Thank you for visit my country. I see you have fun in Vietnam.

    Do you try Ban Cha in Vietnam in every street? I vote for it.

    I’m a travel bloger, too. This is my blog: https://hotieugiang.com/, when you come back to Vietnam, I’m so proud of giving you useful informations.

    Reply
    • November 12, 2017 at 10:14 pm
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      Ho Tieu Giang: My pleasure!

      Reply
  • March 9, 2018 at 12:50 pm
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    It seems good experience and give everyone different sense

    Reply
  • September 9, 2018 at 6:40 am
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    Keo fish <3 So yummy ahhh… *kiss*

    Reply

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