Phu Yen sun-dried beef: Specialty of sun and wind and yellow ant salt

Phu Yen sun-dried beef - The culinary essence of the land of Nau

Sun-dried beef is one of the most famous specialties of Phu Yen, originating from Son Hoa district, where there are lush green pastures and herds of cows that graze naturally. This dish is a combination of the flavors of the Central region's sun and wind and the unique food preservation method of the indigenous Ede people.

The beef is carefully selected from the loin and thigh of young grass-fed cows, then marinated with spices and dried under a single hot sun. This process helps the surface of the meat to shrink but the inside still retains its natural moisture and sweetness. When enjoying, the meat is grilled over hot coals until golden brown, then lightly pounded to soften and shredded. The special highlight of the dish is the bowl of yellow ant salt, a unique spice found only in the land of Nau, with a characteristic sour and spicy taste, blending perfectly with the sweet and fatty taste of grilled beef.

Phu Yen specialty: grilled sun-dried beef on hot coals, served with yellow ant salt. — Phu Yen sun-dried beef is a unique culinary gift of the land of Nau.

Elaborate processing procedure

To make delicious sun-dried beef, local people must follow a meticulous processing procedure. The most important step is choosing the ingredients. The beef must be young grass-fed beef raised naturally in the Son Hoa region to ensure firmness and sweetness.

After being selected, the meat will be cut into moderate pieces, usually about 12cm long and 2cm thick. Then, the meat is marinated with simple spices such as onion, garlic, chili, pepper, fish sauce, salt for about 10-15 minutes to absorb evenly. Finally, the meat is dried in the strong sun for a few hours. Drying properly "once in the sun" is the decisive factor, helping the meat to shrink without being dry and hard. On average, to have 1kg of finished one-sun beef, about 1.7 - 2kg of fresh beef is needed.

Fresh beef is sliced, marinated and dried in the sun. — Making Phu Yen sun-dried beef requires meticulousness in every step.

Price of Phu Yen sun-dried beef

Currently, the price of Phu Yen sun-dried beef ranges from 400,000 to 600,000 VND/kg. For high-end products, processed from young grass-fed beef according to manual processes and with reputable brands, the price can be up to 600,000 - 800,000 VND/kg. The price difference depends on the quality of raw materials, brand and place of sale.

Phu Yen sun-dried beef is carefully vacuum-packed. — The price of Phu Yen sun-dried beef depends on quality and brand.

Address to buy reputable Phu Yen sun-dried beef

If you are looking for a place to buy quality sun-dried beef in Phu Yen, you can refer to some of the following long-standing and trusted brands:

Aunt Mai's sun-dried beef

Address: 350 Tran Hung Dao, Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province.

This brand is famous for its products made from grade 1 beef thigh, with little tendons and fat. The meat is marinated according to a traditional recipe, without preservatives, preserving the original flavor. The product is vacuum-packed with ant salt.

Ha Trung Sun-Dried Beef

Address: 120 Hung Vuong Avenue, Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province.

This is a brand with over 20 years of experience, specializing in producing 3-star OCOP standard sun-dried beef and yellow ant salt. The product is made from grass-fed beef from Son Hoa mountain, with natural sweetness and distinctive flavor.

Ha Trung Phu Yen sun-dried beef product. — Ha Trung sun-dried beef is a long-standing brand that meets 3-star OCOP standards in Phu Yen.

Thuy Lieu Sun-Dried Beef

Address: Le Loi Street, Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province.

Thuy Lieu brand carries the rich flavor of the Song Hinh mountain region. The young beef is selected, marinated with local spices and naturally sun-dried, creating firm meat fibers that are still soft and sweet when grilled.

One Sun-Dried Beef Buon Hai Rieng

Address: Quarter 3, Song Hinh Commune, Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province.

Buon Hai Rieng products have a rich flavor thanks to a special marinade recipe with lemongrass, chili, and ginger. The beef is soft, sweet, and flavorful, a gift imbued with local identity.

Diep An sun-dried beef with yellow ant salt

Address: Binh Kien Ward, Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province.

Diep An is one of the famous brands, preserving the traditional flavor of the one-sun-dried beef of the Nau region. The meat is selected from the loin and thigh, carefully marinated, creating soft, chewy meat fibers and a characteristic aroma when eaten with yellow ant salt.

Diep An's sun-dried beef with yellow ant salt is famous for its traditional flavor.

Notes on enjoyment and preservation

To enjoy the best sun-dried beef, you should grill it on a charcoal stove until both sides are golden brown and fragrant. Then, use a pestle to lightly pound the meat until it is soft, then shred it and dip it in ant salt or chili sauce.

Storage: Sun-dried beef should be stored in the freezer. When needed, just defrost and reprocess.
Take away: Most products are vacuum packed, very convenient for transport and as gifts after travel .
Serving with: This dish is best served with ant salt. You can also serve it with cucumber and herbs for added flavor.