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In addition to the renowned dishes like Quang noodles, cao lau, white rose dumplings..., many Hoi An delicacies are crafted from humble yet unique ingredients such as snakehead fish and young jackfruit.
- See more: Cao Lầu Hoi An
Snakehead Fish
As they glance at the table adorned with a plate of chuon fish, the people of Hoi An sense that summer is upon them. For it is between the months of May and July each year, when throughout the various markets, both large and small, of Hoi An, an abundance of chuon fish is laid out for sale. This is a key ingredient in crafting a delectable, affordable local delicacy of Hoi An, whether enjoyed fresh or preserved as dried fish.
The chuon fish boasts an elongated form, with a green back and white belly, distinguished by a pair of long fins that extend towards the tail, resembling wings. Adorning the green back of the chuon fish are small golden stripes that fan out, amidst vivid golden patterns. Despite its small size, this variety carries flesh that is fragrant and richer than its ancestral counterpart.
Chuon fish can be transformed into a delicious sour soup, rivaling the famed sour soup with snakehead fish from the South. However, it is the grilled chuon fish that truly shines in flavor.
After scaling the fish, it is meticulously cleaned, and the flesh is sliced lengthwise along the spine. The preparer utilizes a knife to tenderize the backbone before folding it back. A blend of onions, garlic, chili, and turmeric, finely minced and mixed with savory fish sauce, is evenly spread within the fish cavity. Subsequently, the fish is folded in half and grilled. Once it turns golden and releases its fragrant aroma, the tantalizing scent of the fish fills the air.
For many, the most unique dish made from chuon fish is undoubtedly the stewed chuon fish with young jackfruit, as the people of Quang region say:
'Whoever goes upstream will bring back news,
While those who come downstream bring back young jackfruit and chuon fish.'
Simply fry the chuon fish briefly, place it in a pot, thinly slice the young jackfruit on top, pour enough water to cover, simmer thoroughly, season to taste. As the water reduces and the jackfruit softens, the cook adds a bit of fat and simmers until boiling. With just that, diners can indulge in the aromatic and flavorful stewed chuon fish.
Apart from the aforementioned dishes, chuon fish is also used for grilling, making porridge, or steaming, all of which are delicious options.
Young jackfruit
Young jackfruit is also a very unique local delicacy of Hoi An. It can be used to make soup, stew fish, or salad. Good quality young jackfruit is free from worms, seeds, or only has a few small seeds. Jackfruit salad is a popular and favored dish in the Quang region.
Making young jackfruit salad is not too complicated either. After removing the core and thorns, boil the young jackfruit until cooked, then remove and let it cool before slicing thinly and draining excess water. You can also add shredded green papaya for extra crunchiness. Additionally, this dish requires ingredients such as roasted and crushed peanuts, herbs, chili, sugar, delicious fish sauce, sliced xa lát leaves... Many people also mix young jackfruit with shrimp and thinly sliced boiled pork belly.
Mix all the condiments with jackfruit, papaya, and eat with noodles, drizzle evenly mixed fish sauce or garlic fish sauce on top, and you have a dish that is rustic yet incredibly delicious.
In addition to noodles, jackfruit salad can be served with crispy grilled rice paper dipped in sauce. Simply boil fish sauce, water, and cooking oil, then add a little cornstarch, wait for the mixture to thicken, and remove from heat. Next, add finely crushed golden roasted peanuts, garlic, chili, and sugar to the mixture, then stir well. Thus, you have a delicious sauce to enjoy with jackfruit salad and grilled rice paper.
Chuon fish and young jackfruit salad are not extravagant or luxurious ingredients, but rather profoundly rooted in the spirit of the people of Quang region. However, those who have had the opportunity to taste the delicious dishes in Hoi An made from chuon fish and young jackfruit will surely find it hard to forget the impression of these unique and truly humble ingredients found in the streets of Hoi An.
- Learn more: Banh dap - a must-try dish in Hoi An
