Buzz
Among the many delectable dishes of Hanoi known far and wide, people often mention pho, West Lake shrimp cakes, Vong green rice,... And of course, fish cake.
Stepping into Chả Cá An Nam on a chilly rainy day feels like the wind is creeping into your flesh through every layer of clothing. While many opt for warm family meals in this weather, I have a different choice, a choice that has become a hobby on days like this, that is to indulge in dishes exclusive to Hanoi winter, sometimes it's hot rice cakes, sometimes it's floating cakes,... and today's menu is dedicated to fish cake.
Chả Cá An Nam – Rediscovering the traditional flavors of the cuisine of the Capital
Stepping into the restaurant, I immediately felt warmth from the enticing aroma of food, the flickering light from the small stove, the cheerful sounds of chatter, and the alluring scent of fried fish and onions. The firm, succulent meat of snakehead fish, if turned into fish cake, would rival any famous fish cakes. The restaurant's fish cake has a distinctive golden color, with a hint of its own unique fragrance, pungency... when you taste it, you'll understand its sweetness, its richness!
So keep eating, keep eating until you're addicted, without even realizing it
The allure of the lush green of fresh herbs, the characteristic flavor of tender snakehead fish, the assortment of herbs like coriander, basil, scallions, roasted peanuts,... all dipped in perfectly blended shrimp paste create a delicious dish, loved by old, young, big, small alike, once you taste it, you'll remember it forever. The fish cake here is a dish meticulously arranged to represent all five elements: green - wood of vegetables, red - fire of chili, golden fish cake - earth, white - metal of noodles, and brown-black - water of shrimp paste. To eat this fish cake encompassing all five elements, diners utilize all five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.
All harmonized to create an instrumental symphony!
Accompanied with fish cake, few forget the fish intestines dish at Chả Cá An Nam. It's no exaggeration because fish intestines are one of the most expensive dishes made from snakehead fish, simply because there's so little of it - from a large 10 kg snakehead fish, you only get about 300 grams of intestines. That's why turning fish intestines into a delicious dish that pleases diners is something the restaurant's chefs put a lot of effort into. Those trying fish intestines for the first time might hesitate, but after the second bite, they can't stop eating. Fish intestines aren't just tasty, there's a satisfaction in chewing them.
Not as tough as beef intestines, as chewy as pork intestines, as soft as chicken intestines, duck intestines... try a bit to see how snakehead fish intestines stir up flavors unlike any familiar dishes
Shrimp paste - A condiment born from the hands of Northern women, during times when food scarcity haunted the people. In the cold, rainy season, a bowl of cold rice with a little shrimp paste was enough happiness to go to the fields, plunging into the rice paddies. Being far from home and suddenly catching a whiff of this shrimp paste scent, your nose tingles. The delicious fish cake is partly thanks to shrimp paste, making the fish more flavorful without being fishy.
Eating fish cake without a bowl of shrimp paste is incomplete, the warm pungent smell of ginger, of fermentation when mixed with the strong aroma of shrimp paste somehow blends harmoniously
Step into Chả Cá An Nam to rewind time and revisit the nostalgic past
Like an oasis amidst the rushing currents of modernity, every noon, every evening, the cozy atmosphere of Chả Cá An Nam welcomes countless guests of all ages, all walks of life. The fragrant fish cakes still exude their enticing aroma, fulfilling their role as the 'ship' conveying the authentic flavors of Hanoi to diners, despite the rampant development of modernity.
How many places in Hanoi's hustle and bustle can achieve what Chả Cá An Nam has done and is doing?
From simple brick walls, rustic wooden tables and chairs, to paintings of graceful Hanoi girls in flowing ao dai, or the bustling street vendors weaving through the 36 streets, the small alleys nestled beside shaded trees, or the bustling Dong Xuan market bustling with people of all walks of life,... all these recreate the atmosphere of old Hanoi.
The bold imprint of time evident in every aspect of the space
Setting aside some work, setting aside some worries, turning onto bustling Ba Trieu street, where quietly preserves a famous delicacy of the Capital - fish cake. At Chả Cá An Nam, diners seem to find a space filled with tranquility, where they can fully immerse themselves in the soul of Hanoi cuisine. Eating fish cake, you will experience its characteristic flavor in a complete way unlike anywhere else. Each piece of fresh, flavorful fish is a true testament to what I shared above.
>> Check out more information about Chả Cá An Nam restaurant here!
