Enjoying needlefish on Ham Thuan Lake

Having grown up in a coastal area, accustomed only to enjoying seafood like shrimp and fish, I must admit that unfamiliar dishes from rivers and lakes don't easily appeal to my palate. But perhaps the needlefish dish in Da Mi (Ham Thuan Bac) is an exception. Drifting along with a friend on a boat on Ham Thuan – Da Mi lake, the menu consisted simply of a plate of crispy fried dried needlefish dipped in chili sauce, yet it kept our conversation going, making us forget the time.

Vietnamese people believe that "Eating is not just about chewing and swallowing, but also an art of simultaneously using all five senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste," especially the environment and psychology. Delicious local dishes must be eaten on the spot. Besides freshness and cleanliness, factors like the soil, water, and spices are crucial. For chefs in that region, understanding the ingredients and pouring their heart and soul into the unique setting gives each dish a soul. Perhaps that's why even the same fish, like the mudskipper, tastes distinctly different when cooked in the Da Mi area compared to other regions.

ca-lim-kim.1.jpg — Crispy fried needlefish with chili sauce

According to locals in Da Mi, the needlefish, also known as the needlefish, belongs to the family of needlefish. Its most distinctive feature is its lower jaw, which is longer than its upper jaw, resembling a sharp pair of pliers. It measures approximately 2-4 cm in length, and has a slender, well-proportioned body. River needlefish, in particular, are small and have a milky white or translucent color. Their flesh is sweet, firm, and has very few bones. The needlefish are filleted and sun-dried for one day, preserving their freshness. Each kilogram costs only 550,000 VND.

Needlefish are considered to have a high nutritional content and are very good for health, so dishes made from dried needlefish are delicious. The simplest way is to deep-fry them until crispy and dip them in chili sauce. But when talking about dishes made from dried needlefish, one cannot forget the famous salad. The fish is deep-fried until crispy, then mixed with thinly sliced green mango, a little fish sauce with chili and garlic, roasted peanuts, and some other herbs and spices. When eaten, the combination of the sourness of the mango and the crisp sweetness of the fish creates an indescribable delicious sensation that you can eat again and again without getting tired of it.

2023.-dl-da-mi.jpg — Tourists visiting Da Mi

When visiting a tourist destination, besides learning about its history and exploring its natural beauty, most tourists also want to enjoy the local cuisine. It doesn't have to be gourmet dishes; rather, it's the simple, traditional foods that are deeply rooted in local customs and traditions that leave a lasting impression on visitors, and once they've become addicted, they'll crave them again and again. Knowing how to satisfy their appetites is crucial to encouraging them to spend money, return, and become the most effective "ambassadors" promoting the destination.

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