Savory fish marinated in paper for springtime.

During the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations, dried food is a much-needed resource for many families. For people living in coastal areas, among the many types of dried food, one that many families prepare is dried seafood, mostly dried fish, squid, and shrimp.

A few dried fish and dried squid to snack on with a few glasses of spicy drink with friends and family, adding joy to the spring festivities. Dried fish is also great with rice, warming the heart after visiting relatives and friends during Tet. Dried fish wrapped in paper is one of the types of dried fish that many families choose to save and use during Tet.

Paper-wrapped fish are not very large, only about 10-15cm long. For people in coastal areas, paper-wrapped fish can be prepared in many ways: fresh or dried. With fresh fish, paper-wrapped fish can be used to make sour soup, soup with tomatoes, onions and cilantro; braised with onions and chili in a little oil; or fried and eaten with pounded fish sauce served with raw vegetables and pickled bean sprouts. Fresh fish, when cooked, has tender and sweet flesh. With dried paper-wrapped fish, it can be prepared in many ways: cooked in soup with tomatoes, onions, chili, cinnamon and cilantro; grilled; deep-fried in oil or fried with a little garlic and chili; salted and fried; steamed with onions and oil; mixed in salads… The meat of dried paper-wrapped fish is fatty, flavorful, appealing to the taste buds, with a unique sweetness unlike other dried seafood.

Fish marinated in paper, skillfully prepared by a capable homemaker, is incredibly appealing to diners. With a pot of hot rice, a plate of marinated fish braised with onions and chili peppers is a satisfying meal, perfect for when you're hungry – who wouldn't savor it? And then there's the crispy fried marinated fish with salt, served with hot rice – truly delicious, especially on a chilly late winter or early spring day.

In Phan Thiet markets, fresh fish preserved in paper costs around 100,000 VND/kg (for relatively large fish). Dried fish, on the other hand, ranges from 220,000 to 350,000 VND/kg, depending on the size and quality of the finished product after drying. The price of dried fish tends to increase compared to normal days as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches. High-quality, visually appealing dried fish preserved in paper, despite the slightly higher price, remains very attractive to consumers. Many people buy it to stock up for the Tet holidays.

The land of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan, is rich in seafood, a reputation it has held for generations. Amidst the many precious gifts of nature bestowed upon the homeland, and among countless varieties of fish, the paper-wrapped fish still possesses its own unique character and savory flavor, remaining appealing to everyday consumers, and even more so during the spring season.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/man-moi-ca-uop-giay-ngay-xuan-116746.html