(BLC) - "Mèn mén" has a sweet and savory taste, with a unique, unusual, and interesting flavor - These are the common impressions of tourists from all over and people in the province when they had the opportunity to enjoy this rustic dish, which is rich in the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group, during the 2nd Lai Chau City Culture, Sports and Tourism Week in 2024.
For the past two years, during the Lai Chau City Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, many unique and attractive features have been selected to introduce and promote the potential strengths and beautiful images of the people, nature, and distinctive culture of the representative ethnic groups living in the area, such as the Thai, Mong, Dao, Giay, and Pu Na.
One of the most exciting parts of the competition, eagerly anticipated by tourists, locals, and even the contestants, is the "Mèn Mén Making Competition." Mèn Mén is considered a traditional dish closely associated with the lives of the Hmong people during times of hardship and poverty. Today, this dish has become a "specialty" of the ethnic group, introduced to tourists during festivals and holidays.
Mèn mén is made from corn flour grown by the locals themselves on the hills and fields. Perhaps, the abundant sunshine, rain, and wind of the land have given the golden corn kernels an extra sweet and nutty flavor. Therefore, it offers visitors a unique and interesting experience when enjoying this dish.
Ms. Giang Thi So from Sung Cho village, Sung Phai commune, happily shared: "In the old days, when we were poor and hungry, we ate men men instead of rice all the time. Now, this dish has become a specialty of our ethnic group. I am very happy to participate in the festival, to showcase my skills in making delicious men men, and to invite tourists and locals to enjoy it."
Making a delicious bowl of men men requires many elaborate and time-consuming steps, taking 2-3 hours. First, the corn kernels are shelled and ground. Then, the corn flour is sifted and winnowed multiple times to remove any grit; it is then placed in a tray, mixed with a little water, and kneaded. As the dough is kneaded, it is broken up by hand until it is completely fluffy, then placed in a steamer or a pot for steaming.
Ms. Sung Thi Cua from Gia Khau village, Sung Phai commune, shared: "To make delicious men men (corn porridge), you have to steam it twice. The first steaming allows the water to penetrate the corn flour, making it looser and softer, preventing clumping. The fire must be strong and even; when steam rises, reduce the heat slightly. After about 30 minutes of steaming, depending on the quantity, adjust the time accordingly, then transfer the corn flour to a tray, stir it to loosen it, and filter it again. Then steam it a second time until the flour is fully cooked and fragrant, then it's ready to be served."
It is known that when cooked, men men will have a beautiful yellow or attractive ivory color, and a rich, sweet, and savory taste. According to local experience, the slower you eat and the more thoroughly you chew, the more you will appreciate the delicious flavor of the corn flour.
In the past, the Hmong people lived in poverty, and men men (cornmeal porridge) was used as a substitute for rice. Therefore, to prevent the dish from becoming monotonous, the women made men men from fresh, tender corn cobs. This method was easier; after separating the kernels and sifting out the husks, they were ground in a mortar. Then, the corn kernels were wrapped in corn leaves and steamed for about 45 minutes until cooked. The porridge was easy to eat and had a subtly sweet taste of young corn.
Nowadays, the lives of the Hmong people are more prosperous, so they enjoy this traditional dish in a more "luxurious" way. They eat men men (corn porridge) with many other dishes such as stir-fried buffalo meat, thang co (a traditional stew), pumpkin soup, pumpkin soup with taro... to create a different flavor, making the dish more appealing and delicious.
Mr. Nguyen Duy Long, a tourist from Hanoi, smiled and said: "I've heard a lot about this dish on TV and in newspapers, but this is the first time I've eaten men men in Lai Chau. The corn smells very fragrant, and the taste is unique and delicious, especially when combined with other simple dishes. This is a fun and fascinating experience for me during my trip here."
Today, when we mention men men (a type of corn porridge), we immediately think of the Mong ethnic group. For generations, this simple dish has become a beautiful aspect of their culture, embodying the soul of their people. It serves as a reminder for the younger generation to be conscious and responsible in preserving cultural values; especially to strive for a better life, looking towards the future and happiness. Leveraging the unique cultural characteristics of the ethnic group, it creates an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists to visit Lai Chau, learn about the culture, and enjoy the "specialties" of the Mong people.
Ms. Giang Thi Sai from Thanh Lap village, Doan Ket ward, said: "I learned to make men men (a type of corn porridge) when I was a 13-14 year old, taught by my mother and grandmother. Nowadays, I make men men during festivals, Tet (Lunar New Year), or whenever my family members want to eat it. It helps preserve the unique beauty of the Mong people, reminds my children and grandchildren of their roots, and passes on the recipe so that our ethnic culture will always remain and shine brightly over time."
When visiting the festivals of the Mong ethnic group in the border region of Lai Chau, tourists should not forget to enjoy the traditional dish "men men" to experience the delicious taste and the love of the Mong people's culture!
Source: https://baolaichau.vn/v%C4%83n-h%C3%B3a/m%C3%A8n-m%C3%A9n-m%C3%B3n-%C4%83n-d%C3%A2n-d%C3%A3-g%C3%B3i-tr%E1%BB%8Dn-h%E1%BB%93n-c%E1%BB%91t-ng%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Di-m%C3%B4ng
Comment (0)