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‘Bun song’ is a distinctive dish from Cu De village (Da Nang), celebrated for its unique preparation and unforgettable flavor that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who tries it.
Exploring the unique name – ‘bun song’
Cu De River, also known as Truong Dinh River, is located in the northwest of Da Nang City. Its upper stream lies in Hoa Bac commune (Hoa Vang district), while the lower stream flows into Nam O estuary (Hoa Hiep Bac ward, Lien Chieu district). The river is named Cu De because its lower section runs through Cu De village. The area near the Nam O estuary is famous for its one-of-a-kind specialty called ‘bun song’.
This dish is particularly popular during summer. Around early February of the lunar calendar, residents of Van hamlet (Hoa Hiep Bac ward, Lien Chieu district, Da Nang City) row boats and dive to collect eggs from a soft-bodied creature. Locals refer to this creature as ‘bun song’.
This species typically appears from early February to late March of the lunar calendar. They thrive only in clear and clean water. They reproduce in large numbers during the night. When spawning, the ‘bun mother’ lays numerous egg strands, coiled like bundles of noodles, each about the size of a hand and pale green in color. The ‘bun mother’ has a rough, soft body with green spots on its back. It is surrounded by orange-yellow legs and secretes a dark purple fluid for protection when threatened.
Post-harvest preservation process
In the past, some residents along the Cu De River were aware of ‘bun song’, but they rarely consumed it and paid little attention to harvesting it. However, today, this delicacy holds significant economic value. As a result, locals have invested in more efficient harvesting methods.
Freshly spawned ‘bun song’ has a pale green color, offering a crisp and subtly sweet taste. If left for too long after spawning, it turns yellow and loses its unique flavor. To preserve its freshness, after harvesting, locals clean it with seawater, then freshwater, and soak it in saltwater until it is sold.
Preparing dishes from ‘bun song’
Fresh ‘bun song’ has a slightly fishy taste. Therefore, it needs to be washed 5-6 times with water, briefly blanched in boiling water for about a minute, drained, and then used for cooking.
‘Bun song’ is a delicious and refreshing dish with a satisfying crunch. Its strands resemble rice noodles but are thinner, with a pale green or slightly yellow hue, coiled into small bundles. Due to its rarity, people often buy it immediately when available. It is used to create unique local specialties, such as ‘bun song’ salad. Locals prepare it with herbs, shrimp, boiled pork, and peanuts, creating a refreshing dish perfect for hot summer days.
Additionally, ‘bun song’ can be used to prepare vermicelli dishes, paired with fresh herbs, cooked with tuna, or used in noodle soups like ‘banh canh’. This specialty is sold both online and at Nam O market (Da Nang). Customers can purchase it directly at the market or conveniently order it online. During the peak season, the price of ‘bun song’ ranges from a few tens of thousands to over 100,000 VND per kilogram.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnJuly 10, 2024
