A unique and delicious fish salad from Quang Nam province.

call the whole year — Nam O herring salad is prepared using dried fish. Photo: HOANG LIEN

This specialty fish salad boasts a unique flavor and an elaborate, meticulous preparation. Whether visiting Tam Thanh beach (Tam Ky), Tam Tien beach (Nui Thanh), or strolling through large seafood restaurants in downtown Tam Ky, tourists can easily enjoy this delicious dish.

Coastal residents of Quang Nam province often prepare fish salad served with dipping sauce, mixed vegetables, and rice paper wraps. The main ingredient is usually fresh herring caught by local fishermen using nets near the shore. Fresh herring is most abundant during the southern fishing season, which begins in April of the lunar calendar. Herring has sweet, tender flesh.

The famous herring salad is also a unique dish of the residents of the coastal area of Nam O ( Da Nang ) and is always attractive to tourists from near and far. Visiting Nam O and forgetting to try this specialty herring salad is like missing out on a great experience.

Enjoying the local fish salad, admiring the Cu De River, or the stunning sea view from various directions will enrich your cultural and culinary experience of the region.

male — The herring salad is appealing to tourists. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Nam O fish salad is named after the small fishing village located on the coast, about 10km north of Da Nang city center. According to locals, there are two ways to prepare the salad: dry and wet, each with its own unique characteristics, depending on the diner's preference. However, both dry and wet versions are made from fresh herring with the same ingredients and spices; only the final preparation step differs.

For dried herring salad, the people of Nam O choose fresh fish, wash it thoroughly, prepare it, slice it thinly, cook it, let it drain, and then mix the fish meat with characteristic spices such as roasted rice powder, roasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, crushed grilled rice paper, along with various types of fish sauce, salt, fish sauce, and vinegar. This step helps to coat the fish with a thin layer of powder, contributing to the rich, fatty flavor of the fish meat.

In contrast, for the wet fish salad, the cleaned herring is marinated with finely chopped ginger, galangal, garlic, and chili peppers, then soaked in a broth mixed with Nam O fish sauce to create the dish's distinctive flavor. The dipping sauce is prepared according to a family recipe, with each person having their own unique style, creating the distinct character of each eatery in Nam O. Especially, a Nam O fish salad wouldn't be complete without a basket of fresh, vibrant wild herbs, including toad's-eye leaves, thorny leaves, thorny leaves, and other herbs like scallions and cilantro…

In the coastal fishing villages of Quang Nam and Da Nang, community-based tourism and the enjoyment of regional cuisine with famous specialties will enrich your summer experiences.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/la-mieng-voi-goi-ca-xu-quang-3157834.html