Experience the authentic taste of delicious Hải Phòng-style grilled nem.

Despite its popularity, many chefs overlook crucial details when preparing grilled nem, resulting in a lackluster flavor and diminished medicinal benefits...

Greetings everyone, I'm Thiên An from Hải Phòng. After moving to the South with my husband several years ago, I've noticed a scarcity of grilled nem enthusiasts here, especially compared to the North. In Hải Phòng, it's become a tradition to indulge in this delicacy during the nem season. However, during my time in Sài Gòn, I rarely encountered mothers preparing nem. Could it be due to its somewhat intimidating appearance?

I've observed fewer homemakers here making nem. Could it be because the appearance of nem is somewhat intimidating?

Last week, for my birthday, my husband took me to Hương Xưa to dine, where I unexpectedly savored the delectable grilled nem wrapped in citrus peel, a taste reminiscent of home that I've been longing for!

The grilled nem I had at Hương Xưa

I've had grilled nem here a few times before, but it was at Hương Xưa that I rediscovered the authentic flavor of Hải Phòng-style grilled nem. Perhaps because many chefs overlook crucial details. Now, with my newfound love for Hương Xưa's grilled nem, let me share a few tips. If any mothers are making grilled nem at home for their family, don't forget these essential steps for delicious and nutritious nem!

Clean the nem hairs thoroughly

The hairs of nem are mostly fine and hard to see, so many mothers unintentionally just rinse them with regular water to remove dirt, which makes it crunchy when eaten. Nem has a lot of hairs, so mothers should remember to rinse off the dirt first, then rinse again with hot water to make the hairs fall off, and gently stir. Remember to stir gently, as vigorous stirring will break the nem apart.

Adding a bit of dried citrus peel to grilled nem is very beneficial for health, especially for young children.

Choosing the meat

Many mothers prefer to make grilled nem with beef because they believe it's healthier than pork, but personally, I find pork meat pairs better with nem. Regardless of the meat choice, mothers should avoid selecting meat that is too lean; a bit of fat mixed in makes the grilled nem tastier.

Healing properties

Many people overlook using dried ginger leaves and citrus peel when making grilled nem because they're not accustomed to the taste. However, in reality, if you're experiencing symptoms like fever, headache, runny nose, etc., it's advisable to include them as they're excellent for relieving cold symptoms. Especially for a dry cough, grilled nem with citrus peel is more effective than medication, and children eat it without fear, unlike medicine!

Note that the citrus peel should be freshly peeled and left to dry slightly, not too fresh as it will be pungent, but not too dry as it will be bitter, moms!

Mix the nem vigorously with herbs and finely chopped citrus peel

Finally, here's the sequence of steps for mixing the ingredients:

First, vigorously mix the nem with chopsticks until it breaks in half or use a whisk to beat it finely as you like. Then, add the beaten eggs, mix well before adding the ground meat, citrus peel, dill, seasoning to taste, and mix thoroughly. The more evenly mixed, the tastier the grilled nem.

When frying the grilled nem, keep the heat low to prevent it from drying out. Aim for it to be almost cooked, then increase the heat slightly to give it a nice golden color.

Remember to fry the grilled nem over low heat to prevent it from drying out

Although these are just a few simple tips, finding a place that serves authentic grilled nem can be quite challenging. Some places make it too dry, others too bitter due to excessive citrus peel,... If any mothers are hesitant to make grilled nem with citrus peel (because let's be honest, nem can look intimidating, and it's perfectly normal to feel that way), it's best to choose a reputable restaurant to try it out. The price of this dish is also affordable, and you can order a few more vegetable dishes, soups, meats, and fish to enjoy with your family.

That day, my husband and I also ordered freshwater crab spring rolls and bamboo shoot fish hotpot at Hương Xưa.

Last time, my husband and I dined at Hương Xưa, a restaurant located at 204 Võ Thị Sáu (Ward 7, District 3). We especially liked this place because of the food and the refreshing, lush green garden. They even have wooden houses here, perfect for a romantic hideout.

I quite liked the ambiance of this place.

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