Delicious specialties of Ha Tien

Shark Hot Pot with Lemongrass and Turmeric

Seafood in Ha Tien City is fresh, delicious, and diverse. Delicious dishes made from fresh shrimp, fish, oysters, and various types of shellfish, such as grilled, grilled with scallion oil, stir-fried with butter and garlic, or stir-fried with chili sauce, always attract many diners with their intoxicating aroma; among them, shark hot pot with lemongrass and turmeric is a must-try dish when visiting Ha Tien.

Shark meat is relatively rare, so it is only supplied by fishermen to large restaurants or restaurant owners who have placed orders in advance. The fish meat is delicious and nutritious, and can be prepared in many dishes, but the best is still shark meat cooked in a sour soup with lemongrass and turmeric. This is also a characteristic sour soup of the Ha Tien coastal region, reflecting the culinary fusion of the Kinh and Khmer ethnic groups.

When cooking shark hot pot with lemongrass and turmeric, the shark is cut into 1-1.5cm slices and added to a pot of boiling water for about 5-10 minutes. Mint, bean sprouts, pineapple, tomatoes, okra, cabbage, fresh bamboo shoots, etc., are added, and seasoned to taste. Once the pot boils again, chopped coriander and a few slices of chili peppers are sprinkled on top. The shark hot pot is served with fresh rice noodles, water spinach, and a dipping sauce with a few slices of chili peppers.

Shark hot pot with lemongrass and turmeric is a harmonious blend of the sourness of the broth and the distinctive flavors of lemongrass and turmeric, leaving an unforgettable impression on visitors. With the cool sea breeze, sitting with family and enjoying a steaming hot pot is a wonderful experience when visiting Ha Tien.

“I’ve been to Ha Tien City many times, and each time I choose to try new dishes. However, shark hotpot with lemongrass and turmeric is the dish my family always chooses when we come here, because the sour and sweet flavor of the broth and the fresh, delicious fish meat have kept food enthusiasts like me coming back,” shared Ms. Ha Thi Mong Tuyen, a resident of Trieu Son commune, Trieu Phong district ( Quang Tri ).

DELICIOUS BUN KEN (Rice Noodle Soup)

One of the must-try dishes when visiting Ha Tien City is bun ken (a type of noodle soup). Making a delicious bowl of bun ken requires many steps in the preparation process, from selecting the ingredients to choosing the accompanying vegetables.

The bowl of "bun ken" (a type of noodle soup) at Nang Nguyen's "bun ken" restaurant is fragrant, delicious, and appealing to tourists.

The Năng Nguyễn noodle shop, owned by the family of Ms. Nguyễn Thị Năng and located at 9 Mạc Tử Hoàng Street, Đông Hồ Ward, is considered one of the oldest and best places to eat bún kèn (a type of Vietnamese noodle soup) in Hà Tiên City. According to Ms. Năng, to make a delicious bowl of bún kèn, the fish used must be sea barracuda. ​​Sea barracuda is a mild-tasting, fresh fish that is well-suited for bún kèn.

“The crucial step in making a delicious bowl of fish noodle soup is mixing the fish with coconut milk. After boiling, the fish is separated from its flesh, pounded until fluffy, and mixed with coconut milk, seasoned to taste. The noodles are placed in a bowl along with some fresh vegetables, papaya, cucumber, bean sprouts, and herbs, then the hot fish sauce is poured over everything. When enjoying, customers can add chili peppers for a richer, more fragrant, and flavorful dish,” Ms. Nang explained.

A UNIQUE TASTE OF STEAMED RICE NOODLES

At the steamed rice noodle shop at 3 Lam Son Street, Dong Ho Ward, visitors can enjoy steamed rice noodles with the rich flavor of spring rolls and dumplings, the creamy richness of coconut milk, and the chewy, soft rice noodles steamed in a water bath. The steamed rice noodles are delicious served with herbs, chopped cucumber, bean sprouts, and topped with coconut milk. If you don't like the richness of coconut milk, you can use sweet and sour fish sauce instead.

"Having been involved with steamed rice noodles for nearly 25 years, despite many ups and downs, I still want to preserve my family's traditional craft, both to earn extra income and to contribute to introducing the cuisine of Ha Tien City to tourists near and far," shared Ms. Ly Lam Thuy Ha, owner of a steamed rice noodle shop.

Steamed rice noodles are a unique and appealing dish for tourists.

Tourists visiting Ha Tien City not only get to see scenic spots and landmarks but also enjoy many delicious dishes with the unique flavors of Ha Tien cuisine. A trip to Ha Tien promises to offer tourists new experiences and delicious, unique food.

Text and photos: THIEN HIEU

Source: https://baokiengiang.vn/du-lich/hap-dan-dac-san-ha-tien-15989.html