Buzz
The name of this renowned dish from Sóc Trăng often puzzles travelers as to whether it's noodles or salad.
Dà Salad Surprise – A Rare Delicacy Unfamiliar to Many Visitors in the West
Dà Salad Surprise is a unique specialty not widely known to travelers visiting the West. According to locals, this dish originates from salad rolls. Ingredients such as vermicelli, shrimp, crayfish, boiled meat, and raw vegetables, instead of being rolled, are mixed together in a bowl. People from the West enjoy this dish by mixing it thoroughly, much like rice. The pronunciation shift from “và” to “dà” gave rise to Dà Salad Surprise.
The dish has a flavor quite similar to fermented fish sauce vermicelli. In the past, it used to be served as dry vermicelli. When served, chefs would present a bowl of vermicelli accompanied by a small bowl of broth. Later on, many places got creative, pouring the broth directly into the bowl. The broth has a sour taste of tamarind and the distinctive aroma of fermented soybean paste. This is the highlight that makes the dish more recognizable.
Dà Salad Surprise is visually appealing with its white vermicelli strands and red-peeled shrimp on top. In many places, a touch of grated coconut or balut egg is added for a richer taste.
Enjoying Dà Salad Twist with familiar greens such as bean sprouts, banana flowers, and a hint of basil. The perfect amount of peanuts adds a rich flavor to the dish. When serving guests, eateries often bring out a bowl of dipping sauce for the meat. Don't forget to squeeze some kumquat and add chili for an enhanced taste.
In the West, when asked about the origin of this dish, you'll often hear: “Mỹ Xuyên has Dà Salad Twist, its taste reflects the rich homeland”, referring to the famous dish from Mỹ Xuyên, Sóc Trăng province. However, this dish is popular in many big cities in the Mekong Delta region.
According to Di Vỹ/Vnexpress
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References: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 19, 2019
