Lien Thanh snakehead fish - An 'irresistible' delicacy

(Baonghean) - Yen Thanh not only attracts tourists from near and far with its unique landscapes such as Gam Pagoda, Bao Lam Pagoda, Duc Hoang Temple, Bao Nham Church and Rock... but is also known as a land with many rustic dishes, especially Lien Thanh snakehead fish.

Anyone who has ever set foot in Lien Thanh land will enjoy dishes made from snakehead fish such as: grilled snakehead fish, braised snakehead fish in clay pot, snakehead fish balls, snakehead fish cooked in sour soup... extremely attractive. This is a typical dish of Lien Thanh land in particular and Yen Thanh rice district in general. According to the elders in the village: In the past, snakehead fish was a dish to worship ancestors, entertain distinguished guests, give to friends and relatives on holidays and Tet. Nowadays, snakehead fish is processed in daily family meals and expanded into shops to serve tourists from near and far...

In the past, people in Lien Thanh caught snakehead fish mainly to sell. Especially every year from September and October, every household prepared snakehead fish for Tet. Clean the snakehead fish, marinate it with salt for about 30 minutes, boil it, when the fish is fragrant and the meat is cracked, put it in a basket to dry and hang it on the kitchen rack, take the fish down and boil it again a week later. Close to Tet, add fish sauce, salt, molasses and dry stew, both to worship Tet and to prepare the tray, to entertain relatives and friends. Lien Thanh snakehead fish is most delicious from April to September because this is the time when the rice buds fall, food is abundant, the fish meat is fragrant and fatty.

Each Lien Thanh snakehead fish weighs about 0.7 kg - 1 kg because it is a fish caught by the hook, not farmed. Ms. Nguyen Tu Uyen - the owner of a restaurant in Cau Thong hamlet - Lien Thanh said: "Previously, my family's shop only dared to take a small quantity to sell to regular customers who ordered in advance. However, for the past few years, customers coming to the restaurant only order snakehead fish. To meet the needs of customers, I have prepared many different dishes but still retain the unique flavor of the fish.

Coming to Lien Thanh on hot days, the harshness of the restaurant at noon still attracts many diners to enjoy. Currently in Lien Thanh, there are 3 restaurants specializing in snakehead fish, with a rustic service style, attracting many tourists. Mr. Nguyen Van Nam - from Dien Chau said: Here, I like grilled snakehead fish the most. Bet 1kg or less, clean, grill on hot coals, the fragrant smell spreads throughout the restaurant.

Attractive golden fish balls dish.

Grilled snakehead fish served with herbs such as fig leaves, Indian laurel... dipped in golden Quynh Luu fish sauce is the best... In addition, braised snakehead fish in clay pot and snakehead fish balls are chosen by many tourists. The chef takes the head and tail of fresh snakehead fish and chops them finely (chops by hand, not ground because ground fish will not be as delicious as hand-chopped) then mixes a little pork belly, chopped lemon leaves, shallots, fresh turmeric, mixes well, seasoned with MSG, soup powder and good fish sauce, marinates for about 15 minutes then forms into small balls. This fish ball dish is not fried but only needs to be sauteed with fragrant shallots, add good fish sauce, boil cold water, drop the fish balls in and boil for about 10 minutes to have a very flavorful fish ball dish to eat with rice.

In addition, sour snakehead fish soup is also chosen by tourists. Lien Thanh sour snakehead fish soup is attractive not only because of the golden color of fresh turmeric, green star fruit, shallots, spices mixed with delicious fish pieces but also because of the elaborate preparation of the restaurant owner. The fish is washed with white salt, then marinated with spices for about 15 minutes; sauteed in oil with fragrant shallots, then add the fish and stir-fry until each piece of fish is firm, the owner quickly cuts each piece of sour star fruit and crushed fresh turmeric and mixes well.

On hot days, there is nothing better than enjoying a bowl of sour snakehead fish soup. Many tourists come here to enjoy dishes made from snakehead fish and do not forget to buy some for their family and relatives because the fish here is not only delicious but also reasonably priced. A grilled snakehead fish weighing nearly 1kg costs less than 100,000 VND, a large plate of braised snakehead fish costs 60,000 VND...

From the rustic snakehead fish, the locals here have processed many rustic dishes such as grilled, braised, steamed, sour soup... But the delicious flavor of the dish has kept countless tourists coming back once to remember and come back...

Thu Huong