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As a local specialty of Quang Ngai, long-whiskered catfish has long captivated tourists when visiting this land with its fragrant, sweet, rich, and slightly bitter taste.
Grilled Long-Whiskered Catfish with Chili Salt Dip in Quang Ngai
Long-whiskered catfish typically inhabit river areas, streams, or at the foot of waterfalls, with a flat, long, and slender body, usually about 2-3 fingers wide. This fish species is easily recognizable by the red dots around their mouths, with many small round white grains, and their silver-colored bodies.
They feed on algae in the upper reaches of the river, so their meat is fragrant, delicious, clean, and nutritious, often appearing in abundance in June during the dry season.
People in Quang Ngai often treat guests with this type of fish, preparing it in various delicious dishes such as deep-frying, braising, cooking with turmeric, making salads, etc. But the most attractive and easiest to make is still grilled long-whiskered catfish.
Grilled Long-Whiskered Catfish without Elaborate Marination. Locals merely catch them from the stream, clean them thoroughly, skewer them with sharp bamboo sticks, and grill them over a blazing fire. The preparer must deftly rotate the fish to ensure it cooks evenly, with the inside being tender while maintaining a crispy golden exterior.
The fish turns golden, emitting an enticing fragrance. When consumed, you can hold the steaming hot fish, dip it in chili salt, and experience the sweet, fatty, savory, and slightly bitter taste of the flesh, along with a hint of bitterness from the fish's innards—a highly enjoyable experience.
Previously, this rustic dish was a staple in the local diet. Over time, it has become a sought-after delicacy, appearing in restaurants and eateries in urban areas. Nowadays, this type of fish isn't easily caught, and they are sold for prices ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per kilogram.
According to Vnexpress.net
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
TravelGuru.comJuly 20, 2015
