Flavorful My Tho snake porridge: a must-try in the Year of the Snake

Located at 180 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Distrcit 5, My Tho City, the 180 Snake Restaurant is perhaps the most long-standing and reputable establishment specializing in snake dishes in this urban area. Over the years, travelers passing through Trung Luong junction in My Tho often recommend visiting the 180 Snake Restaurant, making it a well-known spot for snake cuisine enthusiasts.

Owned by Phạm Van Minh, the restaurant has been in operation since 1994. Initially, the restaurant offered only a few simple snake dishes, such as snake stewed with lemongrass. Over time, in response to customer demand, Minh expanded the menu to include a variety of snake-based dishes. Today, the restaurant serves numerous options, including green bean snake porridge, snake stir-fried with taro stems and lemon basil, stewed snake with lemongrass, stir-fried snake with curry or lemongrass and chili, and more. Among these, the green bean snake porridge is the restaurant’s signature dish, especially popular during the chilly weather of the Lunar New Year season.

The porridge is cooked until smooth with green beans and then combined with deboned snake meat. The dish is complemented with a poached egg, bitter herbs, mustard greens, and pennywort. The accompanying dipping sauce—fish sauce with lemongrass and chili—adds a distinctive touch. A unique feature of the 180 Snake Restaurant is that all snakes are completely deboned before cooking, with the bones fried until crispy. Additionally, snake blood and gall are mixed with wine, offered as a unique experience for diners.

Despite being modest in scale and facilities, the restaurant has built a strong reputation over its 31 years of operation, thanks to its distinctive cooking style and flavors. Today, the restaurant consumes over 20 kilograms of various snakes daily. However, the number of customers has somewhat decreased in recent years due to stricter alcohol consumption regulations for drivers.

Phan Huu Tinh, a regular customer from Cai Be district in Tien Giang province, shares his perspective:
"Snakes shed their skin to grow, so eating snake meat provides essential protein for the body and is highly nutritious. The 180 Snake Restaurant in My Tho is well-known for its high-quality, delicious snake dishes with flavors that suit the local palate. Prices are also affordable for residents. Eating snake meat in the Year of the Snake feels auspicious and energizing, giving me hope for a lucky year ahead."

Pham Nguyen Khang, Deputy Director of Minh Trang Steel Company in My Tho, also considers snake dishes a favorite:
"I often visit the 180 Snake Restaurant and find the dishes there exceptionally flavorful, perfectly suited to the tastes of the Mekong Delta people. The green bean snake porridge, stewed snake with lemongrass, and fried snake bones are especially delicious—ideal for casual gatherings or entertaining out-of-town guests."

According to traditional medicine, snake meat is highly nutritious and has numerous health benefits, including pain relief, detoxification, and treatment for conditions such as joint pain, paralysis, and skin infections. Snake gall is believed to lower fevers, reduce phlegm, and relieve coughs, particularly for asthma patients. Snake blood is considered an energy booster that strengthens bones and muscles while alleviating back pain.

Preparing snake dishes to delight diners requires meticulous skill and experience.  Phạm Văn Minh personally participates in cooking and has honed his craft through years of trial and error. However, the job comes with risks—he once suffered a venomous snake bite and had to be hospitalized, fortunately escaping severe consequences.

Regarding his cooking philosophy, Minh states, "I always use fresh ingredients. Snakes and vegetables are sourced daily to ensure quality. The cooking process is tailored to individual preferences—some prefer soft textures, while others like their food firmer. Prices are reasonable, and I aim to maintain this approach in the future."

In addition to the 180 Snake Restaurant, neighboring spots such as 184 Snake Restaurant and the 151 Snake Restaurant on Đoan Tran Nghiep Street in District 5 have also gained popularity for their snake dishes, particularly during weekends and holidays. Meanwhile, Đong Tam Snake Farm in Chau Thanh District has introduced a food service featuring snake-based specialties.

While snake dishes can be found at various establishments across Tien Giang province, none match the level of expertise and flavor offered in My Tho City. The snakes used for cooking are primarily non-endangered species, such as banded kraits, cobras, and other farmed varieties, ensuring sustainability.

Snake porridge and other snake dishes in My Tho leave a lasting impression on diners. Even first-time visitors find themselves captivated by the unique flavors and often look forward to a return visit.