Ancient Citadel Night Cuisine

(Baonghean) -The day before, my cousin flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh for work. He arrived in Vinh at midnight and called his sleeping brother: “Is there any interesting place to eat at night in Vinh? I’m going back with some friends to do a project.” Eyes half-closed, eyes half-open, my cousin said: “Go to the ancient citadel’s night food court. Take a taxi or motorbike taxi, they’ll take you there.” Three days later, when they met, my cousin said as if blaming me: “If there was such a good place, why didn’t you invite me to go there before?” Or where, I asked? Mr. Tuan said…

Nguyet Sum restaurant is famous for its eel porridge.

First, it is a reasonable planning. The shops are neatly arranged, the seats are comfortable and airy, each shop can seat about 100 people. There is plenty of parking, no need to jostle for parking like in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The food court opens from 5pm the day before to 7am the next morning so you can chat comfortably. Sometimes there are many customers, sometimes there are few, but it is peaceful. Peaceful in many ways, each table knows its own table, but if you want to socialize, you can bring a cup or a glass over, everyone is happy to welcome you. Nghe An people are really hospitable. Peaceful also means good security and order, few people cause trouble or conflicts.

The second good thing is that the dishes sold here are diverse and rich, from duck vermicelli, chicken porridge, eel soup, and even corn and baked potatoes. In general, adults can eat well, and children can eat well too. Suitable for those who like to bring the whole family here to eat at night, it is an ideal place to meet friends. The prices are very affordable.

The dishes here are diverse with flavors from the North - Central - South. However, the most delicious are still the dishes with the strong flavor of Nghe An, typically eel dishes. Eel soup has a clear, sweet, fragrant broth, with the golden color of turmeric, the green color of Vietnamese coriander, Vietnamese coriander and the spicy red color of chili. Rice porridge is simmered until soft and thick. Eel is not simmered with porridge but is added after being marinated and stir-fried, so it is very flavorful without being mushy. When eaten, eel is mixed with porridge, adding spices, pepper, chili, and chopped Vietnamese coriander to create a fragrant aroma. Eel vermicelli was voted "1 of 15 delicious dishes" that the Vietnam Record Organization nominated for the Top Asian delicious dishes... "The best thing is when the alcohol has taken effect, having a bowl of unique spicy eel soup at Nguyet Sum restaurant is the best. The sweet taste of eel, fragrant herbs, and the spicy taste of chili seeps from inside. After drinking alcohol and beer, eating a bowl of spicy eel makes you feel refreshed," he said while sniffing.

But each restaurant has its own unique trick, uncle! For example, Hung Thin restaurant has boiled black chicken, another restaurant has boiled pig head. Notably, every restaurant ensures food hygiene and safety from processing, food selection, bowls and chopsticks are all "boiled" carefully... I've been to many places, each night food court has a good style. Ben Thanh night market has diverse goods; Nha Trang night food court has a rustic style; Vinh night food court is very Nghe: from food, reception, located in the ancient citadel, near the football field known as "fire pan"...

My brother said enthusiastically: “The work is going very smoothly. Nghe An is now very favorable for investors, the time of “Cau Cam, Cua Rao, Cong Chot” is over. Tonight, I invite you to a party. No need for a fancy restaurant, just go to the ancient citadel night food court for convenience... I nodded in agreement. After a few cups of cuoc loi, my brother said honestly: “But I still feel sorry. Many people come to Vinh but do not know about this food court. The promotion has not been paid attention to, it has not become a brand and its own identity is not really clear...”.

An Cat