6 of the most distinctive culinary delights and local products from the countryside of Nam Dan.
(Baonghean.vn) - Visiting Nam Dan, tourists not only gain a deeper understanding of this land of "sacred land and outstanding people," and "picturesque mountains and rivers," but can also enjoy delicious dishes that are rich in the flavors of Nghe An province... But those specialties, once tasted, will leave a lasting impression.
Lam River clams
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| The Lam River section flowing through Nam Dan district. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
In the countryside of Nghe An province, most rivers, ponds, and lakes contain clams and mussels... However, the best clams are found in the lower reaches of the Lam River that flows through the district.Nam DanThe clam harvesting profession in Nam Dan is maintained year-round, but the peak season is in the summer when the water level of the Lam River drops. The hot and humid weather of the season is also the ideal condition to enjoy this "gift from nature" clam dish, which has the effect of promoting bowel movements, clearing airways, cooling the liver, reducing heat, detoxifying, and acting as a diuretic.
Lam River clams have a sweet and salty taste, are cooling in nature, and are non-toxic. In particular, clams from the Lam River area flowing through Nam Dan district do not have a muddy smell, making them very popular with diners. Lam River clams can be prepared into many delicious, refreshing, and nutritious dishes such as: stir-fried with rice crackers, hot pot, clam soup with mixed vegetables, clam porridge, clam rice, and clam soup served with rice cakes.
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| Lam River clams - a delicious, rustic dish that leaves a lasting impression. Photo: Dinh Tuyen. |
Lam River clams were once a simple, rustic dish… but because they are so delicious, they are becoming increasingly well-known and are gradually becoming a specialty rarely absent from banquets for guests in Nam Dan. Tourists visiting Nam Dan should try the unique flavor of Lam River clams…
Veal (calf) – young buffalo meat
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| Children herding buffaloes by the Lam River. Photo courtesy of Quoc Dan. |
In Nghe An province, there are many restaurants specializing in veal and beef, but the most delicious and famous are found in Nam Dan district. Nam Dan is a lowland district (with a few semi-mountainous communes). The veal and cattle here are raised naturally on hills, fields, and alluvial plains along the Lam River, resulting in exceptionally flavorful meat.
Nam Dan's tamarind and veal have long been considered nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-eat foods, helping people to improve their health and restore their energy. "Nam Dan Tamarind" and "Nam Dan Veal" have become well-known brands and names throughout the country.
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| The meat of the Nam Dan veal and beef has a sweet, chewy texture, a crispy skin, and a unique aroma reminiscent of the countryside. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
For food connoisseurs, buffalo meat can be used to prepare hundreds of unique dishes. But when visiting Nam Dan, tourists should try the special roasted buffalo meat and roasted calf. The meat has a sweet, chewy texture, a crispy skin, and a unique aroma of the countryside that cannot be found anywhere else. The process of preparing roasted buffalo meat and roasted calf is a long story…
Tuong Sa Nam (Nam Dan)
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| A soy sauce maker in Nam Dan. Photo: Quang Dung |
Soy sauce is one of the traditional products of the people of Nam Dan. Like other types of soy sauce, Nam Dan soy sauce is also made from familiar ingredients such as soybeans, glutinous rice, salt, etc. However, the process of making "Nam Dan soy sauce" is unique and very elaborate.
According to the soy sauce makers:Tuong Nam DanThe delicious flavor comes from being made from small, elongated soybeans grown by local people. These soybeans, when processed into soy sauce, do not become mushy or sour. Authentic Nam Dan soy sauce should have a golden yellow or reddish-brown color. When eaten, diners will feel the refreshing taste of the alluvial soil in each soybean.
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| Nam Dan soy sauce has become a specialty in upscale restaurants throughout the country. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Nam Dan soy sauce gets better the longer it's aged. It's commonly used as a dipping sauce for vegetables and meat, poured over rice, used in braised fish, steamed tofu, stir-fried clams, soy sauce soup, mixed vegetable and root salads, and braised fish... it's an indispensable dish for the people of Nghe An province. From a simple, rustic dish, Nam Dan soy sauce has now become a specialty in upscale restaurants throughout the country.
Sen Kim Lien
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| Pink lotus flowers of Kim Lien. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
In Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district, lotus has been cultivated for a very long time. Particularly in the ancestral homes of President Ho Chi Minh's paternal and maternal families, there are very large lotus ponds that are carefully preserved by the local people… In recent years, the area of ponds and lakes for lotus cultivation in the commune has expanded. Besides the traditional pink lotus, many other precious lotus varieties have also been brought in and planted, creating many beautiful landscapes for President Ho Chi Minh's hometown.
From its aesthetic value, the lotus has been transformed by the people of Kim Lien into new products that offer health benefits to visitors to their hometown. These include: lotus seed cakes, dried lotus seeds, lotus jam, lotus wine, white lotus tea, lotus root tea, lotus leaf tea, lotus stamen tea, lotus heart tea, lotus flower-infused tea, etc.
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| Many products made from Kim Lien lotus. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Products derived from the lotus plant are considered medicinal. Lotus seeds are rich in nutrients: starch, sugar, protein, calcium, iron, etc.; they nourish the heart, benefit the kidneys, strengthen the spleen, reduce stress, relieve tension, promote relaxation, treat insomnia, forgetfulness, and malnutrition. Lotus roots cool the blood and liver, regulate meridians, and improve blood circulation. Lotus leaves have a calming effect, promote sleep, prevent smooth muscle spasms, prevent anaphylactic shock, inhibit arrhythmias, aid weight loss, lower cholesterol, and stabilize blood pressure.
Dai Hue (Nam Dan) cassava starch
Nam Dan is currently the locality with the most extensive cultivation of kudzu in Nghe An province, with an area of 300-400 hectares, concentrated in the hilly communes at the foot of Dai Hue mountain... Nam Dan kudzu has many superior characteristics that, when processed into starch, produce a product that is fragrant, white, and smooth. Its quality is significantly better than kudzu grown in other regions.
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| Nam Dan cassava starch products. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Kudzu starch (known as "cat can" in traditional Chinese medicine) is widely used as a refreshing drink on hot days. It's a very effective cooling beverage in the summer and also a very effective remedy for heatstroke and high fever.
In recent times, Nam Dan district has collaborated with the Japanese JICA organization to build a brand and register intellectual property protection for cassava starch powder, aiming to increase crop income. Cassava starch powder has become a product serving the local tourism development… In the summer, tourists visiting Nam Dan should also try a glass of cassava starch drink. Cassava starch drink is delicious, fragrant, and refreshing.
Lemon of Thien Nhan
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| Thien Nhan lemons are juicy and have an aroma unmatched by any other type of lemon. (Photo: Nguyen Chau) |
Thien Nhan Mountain is a scenic spot in Nam Dan district. It was once chosen by King Le Loi to build Luc Nien Citadel as a base to defeat the invading Ming army; La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep chose it as a place to live in seclusion and teach… On the barren mountainous land of Thien Nhan, there is a special type of tree: the lemon tree.
The lemons here belong to the thin-skinned variety, with seeds, a green color, and a beautiful round shape. They are juicy and have an unparalleled aroma; anyone who tastes them once will never forget their flavor. Most notably, Thien Nhan lemons are naturally out of season without any human intervention or growth stimulants.
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| Two products made from Thien Nhan lemons. Photo: Dinh Tuyen |
Nowadays, in addition to fresh lemons, lemons are extracted by people into many products serving domestic consumers and for export: lemon essential oil, lemon leaf essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, pure lemon juice, lemon and honey juice, lemon wine, detoxifying infusion, shampoo, floor cleaner, dishwashing liquid, lemon and honey, lemon, ginger and honey, lemongrass and lemon syrup, lemon powder, etc.
