I was so happy, holding the box of steamed fish as if I hadn't seen a relative after a long time. It's true that for many years now I haven't had the opportunity to taste thai bai fish, perhaps because I don't see it on sale in the market, or because my beloved shop owner, Ba Ca, passed away many years ago, so the thai bai fish has also "gone away". toothpick”, at least for me.
Fish bai bai. Photo: LH
I don't know if there are any other rivers in my country that have Thai Bai fish, but since I returned to my hometown of Quang Ngai, 35 years ago, I have only known about Thai Bai fish, and that my Tra River has excellent fish dishes. This is amazing, even though it is a very small fish. Small but delicious, small but "powerful", that's Tra River bai fish.
For many years now, whenever mentioning Quang Ngai, people in the country have mentioned "Tra River goby" as a branded specialty. But few people know that Tra River, my hometown, has an equally delicious fish dish, which seems to be more delicious and more profound when eaten, which is thai bai fish.
Even the name discreetly indicates the origin of this fish, it has a lifespan equal to the lifespan of the Tra River. That is a very "Cham" name. Since ancient times, the Cham people along the Tra River have been familiar with this fish, and they named it when enjoying the fish dish thai bai in the spring. That is the season when this small but delicious fish species appears at the end of the Tra Khuc river.
If every Vietnamese river has famous seafood varieties, then my hometown Tra River has two specialties: Thai bai fish and Bong fish. Because it only appears in the spring, and is very modest, both in appearance and time of appearance, Thai bai fish is little known to people in the country. But Quang Ngai people know. And just mention the name of the bai, and you will remember it immediately.
There are many ways to eat Thai bai fish, but in my opinion, fresh fish steamed without spices, or marinated with spices and then steamed, are both delicious. When eating, have crispy grilled rice paper, herbs, and beer or wine.
But nowadays, if you go to a friend's or relative's house and are treated to Thai bai fish with an alcoholic drink, please add a side dish... taxi or grab to be safe. Just that.
