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When visiting the seaside of Hoi An, travelers should seize the opportunity to savor the cu fish - one of the unique specialties of Hoi An. The cu fish captivates visitors with its delicious aroma and tender, sweet flesh.
Unique seafood known as cu fish
Those who have lived in the coastal areas of central Vietnam are likely familiar with a seafood dish called 'cu fish.' This type of fish, found in salty waters, has firm and fragrant meat. Although it bears resemblance to tuna or bonito, it has a slightly flattened body. Due to its plentiful, white, and aromatic flesh, locals can create many mouthwatering dishes from this Hoi An specialty.
Locals can prepare cu fish by stewing it with vermicelli, or simply adding it to rice porridge or sour soup with a dash of bamboo shoots, tamarind leaves, and star fruit, which is very enticing. Additionally, this type of fish can be deep-fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce made from garlic, chili, sugar, lime, and accompanied by fresh vegetables. Among them, the most popular dish is still hotpot.
This is considered a delicacy in Hoi An that you can find in seafood restaurants here. Besides its delicious flavor, cu fish hotpot is also a nutritious dish.
If you have the opportunity to travel to Hoi An, don't miss the chance to enjoy this unique seafood dish.
Delicious dishes made from cu fish that you should try
Cu fish can be transformed into many mouthwatering dishes, however, cu fish hotpot remains a favorite Hoi An specialty loved by many.
To prepare the authentic cu fish hotpot, chefs must select fresh cu fish, cut them into bite-sized pieces, marinate them with a blend of pepper, chili, onions, and fish sauce. Then, they boil water, add the fish heads and tails first, followed by aromatic herbs like cinnamon, cilantro (chopped), and various vegetables like tomatoes, corn. This will be the broth for the hotpot. Once the spices are well-infused into the boiling broth, the cu fish will be poured into the pot.
Cu fish hotpot entices diners at eating establishments with its tangy taste from tamarind leaves, star fruit, and a hint of sour bamboo shoots... When the hotpot is simmering, the cook will add sugar, MSG, fish sauce, lemongrass, and chili.
Indulging in the sweet and flavorful seafood broth combined with the refreshing sourness of natural spices, accompanied by soft and chewy vermicelli, will be culinary experiences you won't forget.
For a more rustic experience, you can enjoy grilled cu fish. The fish is rubbed with salt and chili, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. In just a moment, the fish emits an enticing aroma, urging diners to immediately savor this wonderful dish.
Furthermore, cu fish porridge is a delicious dish that is very nutritious and good for health as it contains many nutrients. After a long and tiring journey, travelers from afar will feel refreshed after enjoying a bowl of cu fish porridge.
To cook this porridge, the chef also needs great care. The fish must be fresh and red. After cleaning the fish, marinate it with ginger, salt, sugar, pepper... for a while to absorb the flavors. The rice used to cook the porridge should be round and slightly roasted until golden before adding water to cook, which will prevent the porridge from being too thick.
After marinating the fish, it is added to the boiling porridge pot. 5 - 7 minutes later, the cook will turn off the stove, add spring onions, pepper, and chili to enjoy.
Cu fish porridge is sold in many places in the Central region, but only in Hoi An does it have the most intense flavor thanks to the delicious, sweet, and fatty fish slices without being greasy. The sweet taste along with the spicy sensation, warm and comforting, will satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Visiting Hoi An, enjoying Hoi An specialty cu fish with its rustic flavor is the perfect choice for diners who want to experience the taste of the Central coast.
More:
- Hoi An Travel: A to Z Experience
- Places to Visit in Hoi An
- Enjoying Delicious Hoi An Chicken Rice
