Drive about 14-15km along National Route 14, through an industrial zone and countryside, to Thôn 7 in Xã Hòa Phú near "Bridge 14," and at Mỹ Lan Catfish Hot Pot, a pot of broth is already at a rolling boil, firm-fleshed Serepok River catfish going in to cook — one of the Central Highlands' signature river fish dishes.
Double coverage from state media and television; multiple independent food outlets cross-confirm the fish's texture
State outlet phunuonline.com.vn (under the Women's Union newspaper system) ran a dedicated feature, "Ấn tượng với ẩm thực cá lăng sông Sêrêpốk," and HTV9's "Thành phố hôm nay" program has also covered Mỹ Lan restaurant (independent travel outlets amthucvietnam365.vn, alongwalker.co, and others cross-cite this TV coverage). Multiple independent food outlets (Mia.vn, Cattour.vn, Kenh14, hanoizoo.com) further cross-confirm the firm-fleshed character of Serepok River catfish.
Honest clarification: a signature shared across the whole river basin, and the anchor sits 14km outside the city
The Serepok River flows along the southern edge of Buon Ma Thuot's city area; its year-round fast current gives local catfish a firmer texture than elsewhere in the region — a signature Central Highlands river fish, not unique to Buon Ma Thuot city proper. Buon Don district and other towns along the Serepok River basin also raise and sell this fish. It has to be said honestly that Xã Hòa Phú sits on the southwest / south side of old Buon Ma Thuot city's boundary, about 14-15km from downtown, part of a suburban industrial zone (home to the Hòa Phú industrial park) and rural area — a different character from this guide's other downtown anchors. Getting there requires driving; it isn't walkable from the city center.
How to Eat It Authentically
- The catfish's firm flesh holds up well to long simmering in the hot pot, good for sharing among a group.
- The broth commonly comes sour-spicy or tomato-based, with local wild greens adding fragrance.
- Getting there requires a private car or hired transport — plan a half-day trip including the drive.
An Honest Look at This Dish's Geographic Range
- Serepok River catfish is a signature shared across the whole river basin, not a species or preparation unique to Buon Ma Thuot city.
- Buon Don district and other towns along the river also raise and sell this fish; this guide represents it with just one restaurant, Mỹ Lan.
- The anchor sits about 14-15km outside the city, a different character from the walkable downtown entries in this guide.
The catfish simmering in the hot pot is firm and springy — a shared gift the Serepok River's fast current gives to everyone along its banks. Mỹ Lan's pot is worth the 14km drive, but the reputation it carries belongs to the whole river, not to Buon Ma Thuot alone.