The Sweetness in the Bowl of Nhồng Fish Bánh Canh from Nha Trang

Each slice of chewy, tender fish cake, with its natural sweetness, sets this humble dish apart, making the bánh canh chả cá truly distinctive in the coastal city of Nha Trang.

Bánh canh chả cá is a renowned dish of the central provinces in general and particularly Nha Trang. Comprising thick noodles and fish cake, variations of this dish abound depending on the region, adding their own allure.

In the coastal city of Nha Trang, bánh canh chả cá is deeply ingrained in the lives of its inhabitants. While the ingredients remain similar to other regions, Nha Trang's version stands out with its golden fried fish cakes served alongside.

Thanks to the rich bounty of the sea, fish cakes are crafted from a myriad of fish species. From tuna to snapper, and even the revered nhồng fish, each slice of golden fish cake exudes irresistible aroma, satisfying even the most discerning palate. Another must-try delicacy is the nhồng fish cake.

The nhồng fish, a formidable inhabitant of the seas, comes in various species, with the largest reaching up to nearly 2 meters. In the waters of Nha Trang, the nhồng fish is smaller in size, with adults barely larger than an adult's wrist.

Selecting large nhồng fish is crucial for making fish cake. After cleaning, the meat can be extracted in two ways: slicing the fillets with a knife or splitting the fish and carefully scraping the meat. Although the latter method is time-consuming, it yields a tastier final product.

Once the meat is extracted, it's ground in a mortar with pepper, shallots, salt, and sugar. After achieving a fine texture, a bit of flour is added and the mixture is ground until the meat becomes soft, smooth, elastic, and firm. The meat is then shaped into round pieces by hand and either fried until golden or steamed until fully cooked, according to preference.

A positive aspect of this dish is that the bánh canh noodles are made from freshly ground rice flour, resulting in soft, smooth strands without any sour taste like those made from pre-ground rice flour. Usually, eateries make their own noodles, so don't be surprised to see noodles in various shapes depending on each establishment's preference.

When served, the bánh canh noodles are blanched in boiling water and placed in a bowl. Then come the golden-fried fish cake slices, a sprinkle of scallions, a few slices of chili, followed by a ladleful of broth. The steaming bowl of bánh canh emits a fragrant aroma of scallions mingling with the rich flavor of the dish, making it irresistible. Take a sip of the broth to savor its sweet and savory essence, dip a slice of fish cake into the chili sauce, and enjoy the tender, elastic texture of the fish meat coupled with the spicy kick of the sauce. If you ever have the chance to travel to the coastal city of Nha Trang (Khánh Hòa), don't forget to indulge in this simple yet delicious dish.

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Source: Travel Guide by Mytour – Via VnExpress