Núc nác fruit salad: A rustic dish from the mountains and forests of Lang Son

- Lang Son is known as one of the culinary "paradises" of the Northeast region. There are many rustic dishes that make diners remember forever, including dishes made from a fruit with a very strange name - the núc nác fruit (also known as ka lieng).

Lang Son people consider núc nác a specialty, not easy to find, because the fruit only has one season a year and is very difficult to pick. Dishes made from núc nác fruit, especially núc nác salad, are a dish with a strong mountain forest flavor, and are also a folk remedy passed down through generations with many health benefits.

Núc nác is a forest tree, common in the Northeast and Northwest mountains . Núc nác is a woody tree, on average 5 to 7 m high , flowers and fruits grow in clusters. Núc nác fruits are usually in full bloom in the late summer months. The fruit is dark green, about 40 to 80 cm long, about 5 to 7 cm wide, similar in shape to the Royal Poinciana fruit, however, the color of the Núc nác fruit is darker and can be bent easily, not as hard as the Royal Poinciana fruit. The price of the Núc nác fruit ranges from 60,000 VND to 100,000 VND/kg depending on the time.

Many parts of the núc nác tree such as flowers, shoots and fruits are used to prepare dishes. In particular, núc nác fruit can be processed into many attractive dishes such as: salad, stir-fry, boil, soup... but núc nác salad is the most popular.

When preparing the salad, people do not leave the fruit raw but grill it over hot coals until the outside is slightly burnt to reduce the bitterness and create a characteristic aroma. Next, use a knife to scrape off the burnt skin and then slice it thinly. Depending on the preferences of each family and the person preparing the salad, you can add fried dried fish, beef, pork belly, chicken... then squeeze in lemon, add crushed roasted peanuts, herbs such as perilla, coriander and chili and mix well to enjoy. Núc nác has a slightly bitter taste when eaten, the pulp is soft and crispy, when combined with spices it brings very special feeling, both bitter and a little sweet aftertaste, strange and stimulating to the taste buds.

Mr. Nong Tuan Chau prepares núc nác salad

Mr. Nong Tuan Chau, Dai Dong commune, Trang Dinh district said: Dishes made from núc nác fruit, especially núc nác salad, are my family's favorite dish. For those who have never eaten núc nác salad, it will be quite difficult to eat because of its bitter and pungent taste, but after eating a few bites, when swallowing, there is a cool feeling and a sweet taste lingering on the tip of the tongue. Every time the núc nác season comes, I hunt for núc nác fruit to prepare dishes, and then become a "fan" of it without realizing it.

The núc nác salad is not only loved by people in the province but also "hunted" by tourists from outside the province . Mr. Pham Van Hien, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi said: Having the opportunity to come to Lang Son at the end of October 2024 , I enjoyed the núc nác dish, I felt the dish was very delicious and unique. After enjoying it and asking how to make it, I bought núc nác fruit to make this dish for my family to enjoy.

Núc Nác salad

It is known that according to Oriental medicine, núc nác has a bitter taste and cool properties and is used to support liver function, detoxify the body, cool the body, and prevent respiratory diseases.

The núc nác season is almost over, if anyone has never tried núc nác salad or dishes made from núc nác , come to Lang Son to enjoy the delicious, strange taste that this unique fruit brings. Believe that anyone who has enjoyed núc nác salad even once will remember it forever.  

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nom-nuc-nac-mon-an-dan-da-tu-nui-rung-xu-lang-5027806.html