Simple bowl of shrimp salt

When mentioning Tay Ninh , people immediately think of a land full of sunshine and wind, with vast sugarcane fields, lush green rubber groves swaying in the breeze, and the majestic Ba Den mountain standing tall as a witness to countless life stories.

If you've ever been to Tay Ninh, you've probably heard of shrimp salt – a condiment that, with just a taste, is enough to leave a lasting impression. It's not just a side dish, but also a part of childhood memories and a cultural aspect of the people of this region.

Shrimp salt production. Photo by Nhi Tran

Pure white salt, bright red dried shrimp, spicy chili peppers, and a touch of sweet sugar are mixed together and roasted over low heat, creating a savory, fragrant condiment. A bowl of Tay Ninh shrimp salt is not just a dipping sauce for fruit; it also embodies the taste of the sun, the wind, and the dedication of those who make it.

When I was little, every time my mother came home from the market, I eagerly waited for her to open the shopping bag. Just seeing the tiny jar of shrimp salt would make my heart flutter. A few green starfruit, some crunchy guavas, or a piece of sour mango freshly picked from the garden—just a little bit of shrimp salt was enough to make them delicious. The spicy taste would make my lips bright red, but I couldn't stop eating.

Tay Ninh shrimp salt is not just a simple condiment, but also a symbol of connection across generations. I remember summer afternoons when the whole family gathered together, my mother picking vegetables while telling stories of the past. She said that in the old days, whenever we ran out of shrimp salt, my grandmother would go to the market to buy dried shrimp, grind them into a fine powder, and roast them with coarse salt and dried chili peppers. Without the machinery we have now, every step was done manually, yet each jar of shrimp salt was fragrant and delicious, lasting for a whole year.

In my hometown, there are dishes that, though simple, are filled with so much love. I once saw women in Tay Ninh meticulously working by the fire, carefully stirring batches of shrimp salt in a hot cast-iron pan. It wasn't just work; it was a joy, a passion. They understood that shrimp salt not only needed to be delicious but also had to carry the soul of the person who made it.

Growing up and leaving Tay Ninh to pursue my dreams, I finally understood what it meant to miss home. Amidst the bustling city streets, there were times when my heart sank just from encountering a street vendor selling fruit with shrimp salt dip. The shrimp salt dip in this foreign land, though spicy and salty, seemed to lack the sunshine and breeze of my hometown.

Once, my mother sent me a small jar of shrimp salt. As soon as I opened the lid, the strong aroma spread, transporting me back to my childhood days running and playing on dusty country roads. I remembered summer afternoons sitting under a mango tree, dipping pieces of fruit into the shrimp salt, remembering my mother's reminder, "Eat sparingly, or it will be too spicy," and even the rainy days when she cooked a bowl of plain rice porridge and sprinkled some shrimp salt on top for added flavor.

Shrimp salt and chili salt products from Tay Ninh. Photo by Ngoc Dieu.

Tay Ninh shrimp salt is not expensive or fancy, but it has enduring vitality. Amidst many luxurious spices, shrimp salt still holds its own special place, fondly remembered by many who have left their hometown. It's like the people of Tay Ninh themselves – genuine, simple, yet full of warmth.

Tay Ninh is not only home to the majestic Ba Den Mountain or the vast sugarcane fields, but also to small things that evoke fond memories. A bowl of shrimp salt – seemingly simple, yet it holds so many memories and emotions of the people here.

Every time I go back to my hometown, my favorite moment is going to the market and buying a jar of shrimp salt myself. Although you can find shrimp salt in many places, only in Tay Ninh do I truly feel the soul of my homeland in each grain of salt. Holding the jar in my hand, I feel like I'm holding a piece of my childhood, a piece of my hometown that I will always carry with me, no matter how far I go.

There are things, however small, that hold immense value. A bowl of shrimp salt is not just a condiment; it's a memory, a symbol of hometown affection, a thread connecting the people of Tay Ninh to this beloved land.

In the midst of a busy life, sometimes we need moments to return to the simple things. And for me, just a bowl of shrimp paste, a sour mango, is enough to feel that my homeland is always here, in my heart.

Lan Anh

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/moc-mac-chen-muoi-tom-a185684.html