Quang Nam noodles - a famous delicacy from the tranquil land of Quang Nam.

VietnamPlus•17/08/2024

Quang noodles have recently been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Quang Nam noodles are a renowned delicacy from the tranquil Quang Nam region. For a long time, Quang Nam noodles have been a favorite among discerning food lovers for their delicious and rich flavor.

The perfect combination of golden noodles with tender, flavorful chicken, rich peanuts, and aromatic herbs, all blended in a rich, savory sauce, is ready to conquer the palate of even the most discerning diner.

A key characteristic of Quang noodles is that they must be served with crispy grilled rice crackers to fully appreciate their deliciousness. This simple dish embodies the refined culinary traditions of Central Vietnam and has become a specialty of this tranquil region.

Over the years, many experts have researched and studied the origins of Quang noodles, but to this day, no one has been able to determine exactly when this famous dish originated. Some researchers believe that Quang noodles date back to the time of the Nguyen lords, from the time of the formation of Hoi An, the most bustling trading port in the southern region of Vietnam; especially with the cultural exchange between Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European people.

A bowl of Quang noodles is appealing with its combination of many ingredients. (Photo: VNA)

The preparation of Quang Nam noodles is not very complicated, but to get a delicious, authentic bowl of noodles, people in Quang Nam usually soak rice in warm water for about 30 minutes to soften it, then pour it into a stone mortar and grind it into a watery paste, then spread the paste and cut it into noodle strands.

According to the elders, to make a delicious, authentic bowl of Quang noodles, you need to prepare many different ingredients such as shrimp, pork, chicken, bone broth... and especially grilled rice paper, fresh vegetables, green chili, lime... to eat with it.

The broth must always be kept hot, and it should never completely cover the noodles (like vermicelli), so it looks very appealing, and the aroma awakens the taste buds... making this dish unforgettable for both locals and tourists.

What makes Quang noodles unique is the diversity in their preparation style; whatever is in season, any produce such as shrimp, pork, chicken, snakehead fish, eel, etc., can be used as a topping.

Quang Nam noodles fully embody the characteristics of Quang Nam cuisine, with diverse ingredients and flexible, creative preparation methods. Many people from Quang Nam, due to circumstances, have had to leave their homeland and settle in new lands, and Quang Nam noodles have followed them.

The Asian Records Organization once recognized Quang noodles as one of the 12 Vietnamese dishes that achieved "Asian Culinary Value." Quang noodles were featured in the elegant banquets of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2006 and 2018; and in the reception for National Assembly delegates in 2016.

Furthermore, Quang Nam noodles were also featured in the Quang Nam Culture and Tourism Week in Hanoi in 2009, in the Quang Nam Heritage Festival, the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival, and the Hoi An Street Food Festival...

Unique variations of Hoi An Quang noodles.

Due to varying tastes and preferences across regions, Quang noodles have been adapted to create a diverse range of flavors.

Phu Chiem Quang Noodles

When discussing Quang noodles in Central Vietnam, it would be a mistake not to mention Phu Chiem Quang noodles. Using a variety of ingredients including meat, shrimp, crab, quail eggs, and more, this style of noodle dish is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Beyond just the ingredients, the fragrant crab broth is what gives Phu Chiem Quang noodles their unique flavor. Each chewy noodle, subtly flavored with onions, is blanched in boiling water and served with pork belly, prawns, quail eggs, and more, all blended together in an incredibly eye-catching reddish-brown color.

Frog noodle soup (Mỳ Quảng ếch)

Instead of the familiar Quang noodles with meat, shrimp, or eggs, frog Quang noodles are a unique variation using frog meat to create a novel flavor. The frog meat is tender, fatty, and submerged in a rich broth; eating it with Quang noodles is simply unbeatable.

Thanks to the extremely refined way the noodles are cooked, the frog meat will not have a fishy smell. Typically, Hoi An frog Quang noodles are served with a plate of fresh vegetables, fragrant peanuts, or even rice paper, ready to win over the hearts of countless Vietnamese food lovers.

Quang noodles with snakehead fish

Hoi An Quang noodles are always considered a rustic dish that embodies the unique "essence" of the sunny and windy Central Vietnam region. Previously, Hoi An Quang noodles were typically cooked with rich, fatty meat and served with fresh vegetables; it was a simple dish, yet it was loved by many.

Later, Quang noodles were modified in many ways to increase their appeal by combining them with a variety of different ingredients. Among these, snakehead fish Quang noodles stand out as one of the most beloved Quang noodle dishes by tourists from near and far.

The highlight of this Quang-style noodle dish lies in its incredibly rich broth, the chewy snakehead fish, and the accompanying plate of fresh, crisp green vegetables. You can enjoy it with Quang-style green chili peppers for the most authentic taste!

Chicken Quang noodles

If you're familiar with the famous Hoi An chicken rice, remember that the locals have also incorporated chicken into their Quang noodles, which are equally delicious.

When eating, simply put the noodles in a bowl, then add the chicken, broth on top, sprinkle with some chopped scallions and cilantro, and roasted peanuts. That's all it takes to create a delicious and authentic Hoi An-style chicken Quang noodle soup.

Dried Quang noodles

This is considered a rather bold but incredibly appealing and interesting variation. This uniquely delicious dry Quang noodle dish has piqued the curiosity of many tourists visiting the ancient town of Hoi An. At the same time, this dish adds to the already distinctive culinary scene of Hoi An.

(Vietnam+)

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