Dong Sausage - Phu Yen's Sunshine and Breeze Flavor

A plate of delightful dong sausage served with a bowl of fragrant dipping sauce is an exciting choice for exploring Phu Yen's culinary scene.

Dong Sausage - Phu Yen's Sunshine and Breeze Flavor

Phu Yen's cuisine blends flavors from different regions, blending with local tastes to create unforgettable dishes for tourists. When it comes to Phu Yen cuisine, dong sausage seems to have become the 'brand' of this land.

From the outside, this dish looks similar to other sausages with its distinctive golden color. What's special is that instead of pork or beef filling, locals here use meat from the dong, resembling snakes or skinks, as the main ingredient.

Phu Yen residents catch dongs on sandy beaches with coastal grass. There are usually two main methods: digging in the sand and fishing. Those who catch dongs must use shovels to dig deep into the caves to catch them. The second method is simpler; fishermen only need to set traps outside the caves and wait for the dongs to come out to forage. On average, those who catch dongs can harvest several dozen a day.

A restaurant owner in Phu Yen shares that summer is the best season to indulge in this dish as it's abundant and the meat is fragrant. The eel is skinned, cleaned, tail and four legs removed. Then, the chef will mince it and mix with spices like chili powder, pepper, and onions. To enhance the flavor and aroma, locals often add cat mushrooms and basil, wrap it in rice paper, and deep-fry it.

Diners will experience the crispy texture and aromatic scent of the eel cake when enjoying it. As the eel is caught in the wild, the meat is firm, lean, and carries a distinctive aroma. The taste of the eel blends harmoniously with the herbs and spices, like the fusion of the sea with the mountains. Eel cakes are usually served with fresh vegetables and pickles to balance out the oily taste.

Travelers can enjoy eel cakes as everyday snacks. Eel cake stalls are easy to find in Tuy Hoa city. They're commonly found along the sidewalks or listed on the menus of prominent restaurants. The most famous area is the intersection of Tran Quy Cap and Nguyen Cong Tru streets, known for its traditional and renowned eel cake shops. The price for a plate of eel cakes typically ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 VND.

This dish is also served during family meals. Visitors to Phu Yen are often treated to eel cakes by their hosts and paired with a cup of wine as a warm welcome gesture.

If travelers happen to pass by the sunny land of Phu Yen, don't forget to stop by Tuy Hoa and try eel cakes – a rustic and flavorful delicacy that defines the essence of 'Nau land'.

Source: Vnexpress.net

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide