Traditional cuisine of Ha Nam

Ha Nam cuisine is famous for its many unique dishes, harmoniously combining rustic and refined flavors. Many dishes have become nationally renowned specialties, such as braised fish from Vu Dai village, Phu Ly rice rolls, and Binh Luc crab paste...

Braised fish from Vu Dai village

For the people of Vu Dai village (now Nhan Hau), Ly Nhan, Ha Nam , this dish has a long history, embodying the essence and character of the Ha Nam people. To make a truly delicious pot of braised fish, every step is done meticulously. The fish used for braising must be black carp weighing between 4 and 6 kg. After cleaning the fish, removing the head and tail, it is cut into bite-sized pieces and marinated with spices: galangal, ginger, chili peppers, onions, salt, sugar, crab broth, fish sauce, bone broth, coconut water, etc.

The fish is simmered continuously for 12-14 hours over a steady fire. The type of firewood used for simmering the fish must be longan wood. According to famous braised fish families in Vu Dai village, during each holiday, especially Lunar New Year, the braised fish houses prepare around 5,000 pots of fish to serve tourists.

Phu Ly steamed rice rolls with pork sausage

The first impression of Phu Ly rice rolls is the thinly spread wrapper made from finely ground tám xoan rice flour, steamed over a hot pot. The rolls are skillfully made, ensuring they are thin, chewy, and soft.

Phu Ly rice rolls don't have a meat filling like many other types of rice rolls. Instead, they feature a layer of fragrant, golden fried onions, combined with a sprinkle of finely chopped wood ear mushrooms. This simplicity is what makes Phu Ly rice rolls unique, allowing diners to fully appreciate the delicate flavor of the tám xoan rice. The most important highlight that makes Phu Ly rice rolls so appealing is the dipping sauce, made from high-quality fish sauce, with added sugar, lemon, chili, and garlic, creating a harmonious sweet and sour flavor that stimulates the taste buds. People in Phu Ly often eat rice rolls with grilled pork sausage.

Binh Luc crab paste

Binh Luc fermented crab paste is a famous specialty of Ha Nam province, made from red-clawed crabs with a distinctive flavor: pungent, spicy, and aromatic. Binh Luc fermented crab paste is made from fresh crabs that are washed, pounded into a paste, mixed with salt, galangal, and ginger, then sealed in jars and sun-dried for many months.

Authentic Binh Luc crab paste has an amber color, a salty taste from the salt, and the aroma of galangal and ginger, making it suitable as a dipping sauce for boiled or stir-fried dishes. With its distinctive flavor, Binh Luc crab paste has become a popular and well-known local souvenir, favored by many tourists.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dan-da-am-thuc-ha-nam-705327.html