Quang Nam's Quang noodles, served in an earthenware pot containing the sauce, is a new dish that allows diners to enjoy the local specialty while experiencing Hoi An culture.
Quang noodles are a signature dish of the people of Da Nang and Quang Nam. However, Quang noodles served in an earthenware pot include not only the bowl of noodles but also an earthenware pot containing the sauce.
This is a new dish created by Le Minh Canh (36 years old), introduced to the public in November 2022. During the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2023, from September 29th to October 1st at the Hanoi Children's Palace, he and two colleagues showcased this clay pot Quang noodle dish.
Having worked as a chef for a military unit for 14 years, after leaving the army, Mr. Canh changed direction and returned to his hometown in Hoi An to start a tourism business.
Mr. Canh's Quang-style noodles in an earthenware pot. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
According to Mr. Canh, tourists visiting Quang Nam usually only go to famous places like Hoi An ancient town, paying little attention to traditional craft villages. Based on the versatility of Quang noodles in terms of ingredients, Mr. Canh has incorporated the distinctive cultural features of many communes and wards in Hoi An into the dish.
Mr. Canh believes that Quang noodles don't have a single recipe; the ingredients can vary depending on the locality. However, an indispensable spice is crushed shallots (small onions).
All the ingredients for the Quang-style clay pot noodles are sourced from Hoi An: the noodles are from artisan Tam Thi's workshop in Phu Chiem village, the prawns are fresh from the Bay Mau coconut forest in Cam Thanh village, the vegetables are from Tra Que vegetable village, the clay pot is from Thanh Ha pottery village, and the wooden chopsticks are from Kim Bong carpentry village. After enjoying the meal, diners will have a dessert of sticky rice cake wrapped in thorny leaves and herbal tea from Cu Lao Cham island.
Compared to regular Quang noodles, Quang noodles in a clay pot have a more elaborate preparation method. A mixture of pineapple juice, onions, tomatoes, shrimp paste, and crushed shallots is poured into a large clay pot and mixed thoroughly. This mixture is then scooped into smaller clay pots and cooked over a fire. Quail eggs and prawns are added and cooked until done. The clay pot retains heat well, resulting in sweeter, firmer prawns that absorb the flavors better.
Once the ingredients are cooked, the broth from the small earthenware pot is transferred to a round tray lined with banana leaves, containing accompanying fresh vegetables (shredded banana blossom, lettuce, basil, young cabbage, bitter greens). Hot blanched noodles are placed in a deep porcelain dish. Seasoned pork, braised until golden brown, is added along with shallots, scallions, roasted peanuts, and grilled rice crackers. Before serving, diners pour the sauce from the earthenware pot over the noodles, squeeze in some lemon juice, break off a piece of grilled rice cracker, mix well, and enjoy with the fresh vegetables using chopsticks engraved with the words "Kim Bồng".
A stall selling Quang-style noodles in clay pots at the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2023 on September 29th. Photo: Quynh Mai
Unlike the delicate flavor of pho, Quang noodles are characterized by their rich aroma and strong taste. "Although people in Central Vietnam eat saltier food than those in the North, the salty taste is mixed with a hint of sweetness, which is very unique," said Vu Thi Quynh Chi (28 years old, Hanoi), who lived in Hoi An for about a year.
Visiting the booth at the festival on September 30th, Do Thi Quynh Mai (27 years old, Hai Phong) commented: "Both the preparation, the way of eating, and the flavor of Quang noodles in a clay pot are different from the Quang noodles I've eaten many times in Hoi An. Usually, the sauce is poured directly into the bowl of noodles, not in a clay pot like this."
According to Mai, Quang-style noodles in a clay pot still retain their basic flavor. The rich sweetness of the shrimp paste in the broth blends with the hot, chewy noodles, fragrant with the distinctive aroma of shallots. The shrimp is firm and sweet, the braised pork belly is richly flavored and dyed yellow with annatto oil. The fresh vegetables are crisp, the grilled rice paper is crunchy, and the roasted peanuts are rich and nutty.
The most striking and innovative aspect that impressed her was the cultural story incorporated into the dish. "After enjoying the clay pot Quang noodles, I learned about some traditional craft villages in Hoi An, such as Kim Bong carpentry village or Phu Chiem noodle village," Mai said.
In August, Mr. Canh's clay pot Quang noodles won second prize in the 2023 Quang Nam Province Creative Startup Ideas and Projects Competition.
Following the event, many diners flocked to the restaurant on Vo Chi Cong Street, Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An City to enjoy clay pot noodles and listen to Mr. Canh share about local culture.
Mr. Canh has registered trademark protection for Quang-style clay pot noodles. In the future, he hopes to collaborate with the government and tourism organizations to create tours that combine enjoying Quang-style clay pot noodles with experiencing traditional craft villages, aiming to "increase income for local people and revive and maintain traditional craft villages."
Text and photos: Quynh Mai
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