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Upon returning home, you must indulge in the delicious sour fruit dishes to fully experience the tranquil and nostalgic atmosphere of the ancient capital, Hanoi.
Delicious sour fruit dishes that cannot be missed during the harvest season.
1. Sweet and Tangy Sour Fruit Drink
One of the beloved delicacies made from green plum is the sweet and sour green plum juice. This beverage is not only popular in Hanoi but also widely enjoyed across major cities such as Central Vietnam and provinces in the South. Despite being a common drink, green plum juice encapsulates the essence of the capital's cuisine.
The sweet and sour green plum juice is deeply ingrained in the lives of generations of Hanoians. It's a beverage that evokes countless childhood memories. Everyone has eagerly bought a cup of chilled sweet and sour green plum juice after school to refresh themselves and relieve stress. Thus, this beverage has become an integral part of Hanoi's nostalgic reminiscences.
Green plum juice is closely associated with the childhood of many Hanoians. It's a drink that symbolizes carefree moments and youthful joy. Sipping on a glass of tangy green plum juice brings back memories of carefree summer days and laughter-filled evenings with friends.
Green plum juice is known for its cooling properties, perfect for quenching thirst on hot days. Whether enjoyed as a refreshing beverage or a nostalgic treat, it never fails to evoke a sense of comfort and happiness.
The sweet and sour green plum juice, with its distinctive fragrance of the season, combines crispy green plum skins with tangy-sweet sugary water, and a refreshing touch of ice, making it absolutely delightful. Nowadays, you can enjoy this beverage everywhere in Hanoi. Especially, green plum juice becomes even more enticing when served alongside vermicelli with shrimp paste.
2. Braised Duck with Green Plums
During green plum season in Hanoi, locals have the opportunity to indulge in braised duck with green plums, not only delicious but also rich in nutrients. The combination of tender and flavorful duck meat with the sweetness of green plums is perfect for the sweltering summer atmosphere. This dish is also used for nourishment, providing essential nutrients for health.
Braised duck with green plums is a must-try delicacy when visiting Hanoi. 📸: @wintoie
Braised duck with green plum is beloved for its refreshing sourness from green plums, the enticing aroma of lemongrass, and the tender pieces of carefully cooked duck meat. In Hanoi, this dish is often enjoyed during the summer to cool down. It's best paired with vermicelli or rice for enhanced flavor. Of course, it's recommended to enjoy this dish while it's still hot.
Braised duck with green plum is rich, sweet, sour, and nourishing for the body. 📸: @bepcuacony
According to many, this dish can be transformed into duck hotpot to enjoy with family and friends. When eating, add some chili and satay sauce to enhance the spicy and flavorful taste. With a bite of tender and sweet duck meat, along with a bit of tangy green plum, you'll fully experience the exquisite flavor of Hanoi's cuisine.
3. Young Spare Rib Soup with Green Plums
One of the refreshing delicacies made from green plums is the young spare rib soup with green plums, often popular during sweltering summers. With just two main ingredients, green plums and young spare ribs, one can create a delicious and nutritious soup. If you have the chance to visit Hanoi during plum season, make sure to try this special soup.
Young spare rib soup with green plums is both delicious and refreshing. 📸: meatdeli
Though not extravagant, this soup is indispensable in the meals of Hanoi residents. Whether paired with vermicelli or rice, it's a hit. The tender spare ribs blend with the crispy sweet and sour green plums, while the broth is refreshing, creating an irresistible summer soup.
You can use young spare ribs or minced meat to cook green plum soup. 📸: VnExpress
To cook delicious spare rib and green plum soup, you need to choose the right type of tasty spare ribs, remove the bones, and season it just right. If you're reluctant to simmer the ribs for a long time, you can substitute with minced pork. When the soup is cooked, add some spring onions and coriander to enhance the aroma and stimulate the taste buds of the eater.
4. Pickled Green Plums
Among the various snacks made from green plums, pickled green plums stand out for their sour and salty taste, enhanced with the pungent flavors of garlic, chili, and ginger, tantalizing the taste buds. The longer it's preserved, the better it tastes, as the sourness from the plums blends with the rich fish sauce, creating an irresistible dish.
Pickled green plums blend sweetness, saltiness, and sourness. 📸: @zikasa_shop
Making pickled green plums is quite simple. Just blanch young green plums in boiling water, then immerse them in a mixture of fish sauce and sugar to cool. Add garlic, chili, and ginger, and let it sit. After 2 days, you can enjoy pickled green plums, but they'll taste even better if left longer as the plums absorb the flavors more evenly.
To make this delicious dish, you need to prepare the ingredients carefully. 📸: @mussel89
According to Hanoi locals' experience, when making the fish sauce mixture, you should make it slightly stronger to balance out the sourness from the plums. The utensils used for pickling plums need to be thoroughly sterilized. Spices like garlic, chili, ginger, etc., should be cleaned before preparation. It's best to blanch them with boiling fish sauce, let them cool, then add them to the mixture of plums and sugar.
5. Candied Green Plums with Ginger
Another delightful treat made from green plums that cannot be overlooked is candied green plums with ginger - a specialty of Hanoi often bought by tourists as gifts. This is a delicious snack that also helps soothe sore throats very effectively. Candied green plums with their sweet and salty taste, combined with spicy ginger, are irresistibly fragrant and addictive.
Candied green plums with ginger are a delicious treat with a sweet, sour, and spicy flavor. 📸: Ancient rice cake shop
To make candied green plums with ginger, green plums are peeled, soaked in salt water, scored, soaked in rice washing water for 5 hours, blanched in boiling water, then soaked in ice water. Remove the plums, mix them with ginger in sugar, then stir-fry in a pan until they turn amber in color.
Guide on how to choose good green plums
To create delicious dishes from green plums, you should choose fresh, vibrant green plums, carefully selecting each one. Avoid plums that are bruised or have darkened skin. Those with rough skin tend to be tastier. Prefer plums with yellow flesh as they are thicker and more sour. Additionally, avoid overly ripe plums as their seeds are large and they are less sour.
You should select quality green plums to make truly delicious dishes from green plums. 📸: @trangtitpc
Above are some delicious dishes made from green plums that you can try cooking yourself. If you're a tourist in Hanoi, you can also take the opportunity to try them or buy them as gifts, especially candied green plums or fresh green plums to create your own enticing dishes.
Tea Van (compiled) - luhanhvietnam.com.vn
Image: Instagram
Posted by: Mân Đào
Keywords: Just hearing the name of delicious dishes from green plums makes you want to taste them right away
