I handle the cooking, while my friend takes care of the grocery shopping and washing the dishes. Occasionally, I also treat myself to some traditional dishes that evoke warm memories with loved ones.
Quang noodles - a source of nostalgia.
Having grown up eating Quang noodles in Vietnam, I know it's difficult to find an authentic version of this dish. However, in Rennes – a city in western France – I tried making a similar one. Using ingredients readily available at local supermarkets and recalling how my mother used to cook it at home.
Rennes, in the heart of Brittany, also boasts a number of ancient wooden houses with antique facades. They seem to whisper stories of the past, while the squares and fountains are always bustling with the laughter and chatter of the present.
Creativity flows freely in this city. Naturally, I've been influenced to some extent. Although my noodle dishes aren't exactly like those I enjoyed back home, they still retain some of the flavors of my homeland even while far away.
I grew up fascinated by the way my mother cooked Quang noodles. However, finding ingredients like shallots, peanut oil, or banana blossoms isn't easy – and they're not available in Rennes either.
In fact, these simple ingredients are crucial to creating the authentic flavor of Quang noodles. Perhaps it is precisely because this dish's overall flavor far surpasses that of its individual components that all the effort is worthwhile.
Cooking, like my mother does, is a job filled with love. I'm just a mediocre cook, making mediocre bowls of noodles far from home. But my friends gobble them up, eating three bowls in a row, while I only manage two.
Quang noodles are simple and versatile. This dish doesn't require much preparation, yet it still exudes a rustic charm. As mentioned, I cooked this noodle dish in France. That was quite a challenge!
But my friend, who grew up in Saigon, had never heard of Quang noodles. And my "Rennes-style Quang noodles" version left a deep impression on him. Even after returning home, he still talked about it!
Nowadays, Quang noodles have become increasingly popular and can be found in many Saigon eateries like "Ba Anh Em" (Three Brothers) or some other unnamed establishments. I wonder if my friend still remembers that bowl of Quang noodles from his days abroad?
"The symbol" of the people of Quang Nam
We were so lucky to find sesame rice paper that day. With the combination of crushed peanuts and delicious filling, the "hybrid Quang noodles" still turned out amazing!
When I'm far from home, homesickness is always with me. Memories of my homeland never fade from my mind. The words of Han Mac Tu still resonate: "Here, the mist obscures human figures / Who knows if anyone's love is truly deep?"
Many years have passed since those days...
Quang Nam noodles are an indispensable part of life for the people of Quang Nam . It's hard to find a place that doesn't sell this dish – whether it's in a rural market or on a street corner.
It clearly reflects the character of the people of Quang Nam: unpretentious, straightforward, sincere, steadfast in principles, yet flexible in communication.
It is also a dish that symbolizes the uniqueness of Quang Nam province - its ability to maintain its identity no matter where it is located.
The poet Bui Giang, a native of Quang Nam, lived and passed away in Saigon for many years, and was also famous for his love of Quang Nam noodles. It is said that whenever he had a little money, he would go looking for this dish at a restaurant or ask friends to cook it for him. He would also often invite children to eat with him until he ran out of money. A generous and compassionate gesture!
In fact, Quang noodles are a delicious and healthy option that won't cause weight gain. Whether as a main meal or an afternoon snack, this dish is always suitable.
Reflecting on my experience with Quang noodles, the desire to enjoy them again arises within me. However, cooking a few bowls now is difficult, even though the ingredients are readily available in Saigon...
And luckily, there's Ba Hoa Market in Tan Binh. This is where you can easily find a bowl of noodles that evokes memories of home. Having lived far from home for many years, this comforting flavor, among others, is priceless. Here, you can not only find delicious dishes like Quang noodles at reasonable prices, but also hear the familiar accent of your hometown.
I always try to go to Ba Hoa Market a few times a month. Mainly, to feel connected to my roots, through eating and socializing with people who speak with the authentic Quang Nam accent, just like back home.
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/my-quang-xu-xa-3137875.html
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