Enjoy the famous grilled chicken

Attractive grilled chicken dish of O Thum. Photo: THUY TIEN

From the center of Tri Ton commune, visitors go to Tuc Dup Hill Tourist Area, continue about 500m towards Co To commune and you will see the asphalt road leading to the mountain on the left. Following this road, visitors will reach O Thum Lake. O Thum Lake is located under the mountain slope, the lake surface is calm, the blue water creates a charming landscape. Mentioning O Thum Lake, visitors are not only impressed by the beautiful scenery but also attracted by the famous grilled chicken dish.

According to the owner of the first restaurant selling grilled chicken in O Thum Lake, this dish originated from Cambodia but was introduced to An Giang a long time ago and gradually became a famous specialty of the people here. Although grilled chicken appears in many places in the province, the most attractive is still the grilled chicken in O Thum Lake, O Lam Commune. Around O Thum Lake, there are many restaurants serving this dish. There is no need to wait long, just about 40 minutes for diners to have a hot, delicious grilled chicken dish.

At first hearing, many people think the dish seems simple but in fact, it is quite elaborate in preparation. According to many experienced chefs, the grilled chicken here must be made from local chicken, each weighing from 1.3 - 1.8 kg. When customers order the dish, the chef will start processing and seasoning, so the chicken is always fresh and delicious. In particular, the Chuc leaves are a spice that contributes to the uniqueness of this dish. The Chuc tree is a specialty, grown a lot in the Bay Nui area. The Chuc leaves have a spicy, aromatic taste and are not bitter.

To make the grilled chicken dish delicious, the chef prepares garlic, lemongrass and some other spices... Together with the leaves of the bamboo shoot, the spices are mixed well, applied to the chicken skin and inside. The chicken is marinated for at least 30 minutes. While waiting for the chicken to absorb the spices, the chef will prepare the stove and pot. The pot is covered with a layer of lemongrass, bamboo shoots and salt at the bottom of the pot, then the chicken with a little oil on the skin is placed in the pot. Whether the chicken dish is delicious and flavorful or not depends on the "burning" process. The chef must skillfully watch the fire to ensure the chicken is cooked evenly.

The attraction of the dish is that after being “burned”, the chicken will have the characteristic aroma of the leaves and lemongrass, the chicken skin turns a very attractive golden yellow color. Even though it has been processed, the chicken still retains the sweetness of the meat, this is also the unique feature that creates the brand of O Thum burned chicken dish.

Grilled chicken is often served with banana flower salad or cabbage salad, dipped in many different sauces such as sweet and sour fish sauce, salt and pepper of the Chuc fruit, salt and chili or red chili sauce. The chicken is "grilled" over a moderate heat so the meat is firm, soft and not dry. Pick up a piece of chicken and add a piece of salad to dip in the dipping sauce, the chicken is sweet and chewy, the salad is crispy, the "burned" garlic and the fragrant smell of the Chuc leaves blend together, surely giving diners an unforgettable experience.

Enjoying O Thum grilled chicken for the first time, Mr. Nguyen Chi Cong, from Can Tho City, shared: “I heard many friends recommend O Thum grilled chicken as very attractive, but only now have I had the chance to try it. The first time I enjoyed this dish, I was immediately attracted. After processing, the chicken meat is sweet, soft, accompanied by the very special aroma of the Chuc leaves. With a reasonable price, this O Thum grilled chicken dish will definitely be my first choice when I have the opportunity to return to this Bay Nui region.”

What a wonderful trip to the Seven Mountains, enjoying the famous O Thum grilled chicken, immersing yourself in nature, breathing the fresh air, so pleasant.

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