Go to the Trường Sơn mountain range to eat the cool fish.

The "cá mát" fish is a specialty of the Vân Kiều people in the western Trường Sơn mountain range. These fish live in rivers and streams amidst pristine forests, where the water is clean and cool. Their meat is fragrant, rich, and delicious, making them an indispensable dish for honored guests.

Grilled fish skewers, attractively arranged on wild banana leaves - Photo: HOANG TAO

One weekend, Mr. Ho Van Chuong (residing in Ho village, Huong Son commune, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province) led a group of distinguished guests to explore the pristine forests of the Truong Son mountain range.

He brought along a fishing net and diving goggles to catch some fish to treat his guests. The path leading to Bui Ho ravine is more than 3km through the forest from Ho village, taking over two hours to walk.

Along the way, Mr. Chuong chatted with me about how these fish usually live in fast-flowing, clear, and clean streams with a gravel bottom. They like to hide in rock crevices.

"In the highlands of Quang Tri , the 'ca mat' fish are usually abundant from February to May in the lunar calendar. The 'ca mat' fish are small, typically about the size of two or three adult fingers. Their meat is very fragrant, sweet, and mild, with a rich, sweet flavor," Mr. Chuong explained.

Mr. Chuong dives to catch catfish - Photo: HOANG TAO

Upon reaching Bui Ho stream, choosing an area with water deep enough to reach an adult's chest, clear and flowing continuously, Mr. Chuong put on his diving mask and took a net down to cast around. Then, Mr. Chuong dived around observing the fish, while people on the shore threw stones to drive the fish into the net.

After 10 minutes, the net was full of fish, which were brought ashore and untangled. Just a few casts of the net yielded enough fish for a group of nearly 10 people. The fish were brought back to the campsite and prepared right by the stream.

For generations, the Van Kieu people in Truong Son have considered this a must-have delicacy whenever honored guests visit their home.

A must-have dish is grilled catfish over a blazing fire. Catfish can also be cooked in soup with wild tamarind leaves, wild bamboo shoots, wild banana blossoms, or rattan and palm trees...

Fresh, delicious fish is prepared right by the stream - Photo: HOANG TAO

Whenever he catches fresh fish like this, Mr. Chuong makes a refreshing fish salad. The fish is scaled, gutted, sliced ​​thinly, and then marinated with forest leaves and spices such as chili, galangal, and mắc khén (a type of wild pepper).

Depending on the dish, the flavor of the catfish varies. Grilled catfish has a sweet, savory taste and a wonderful aroma; fried catfish is crispy and rich; and catfish in salads has a chewy, crunchy, and refreshing texture…

Today, the catfish has become a valuable specialty fish, sought after by many restaurants and hotels in the Mekong Delta. However, this species still only grows in the wild and cannot yet be farmed artificially.

If you ever have the chance to visit Quang Tri and Quang Binh, don't forget to try this local specialty! Its unique mountain flavor will surely leave a lasting impression.

Grilled fish skewers over a blazing fire - Photo: HOANG TAO

Catfish can be prepared in many ways: grilled, fried, salad, soup, etc. - Photo: HOANG TAO

Catfish is a special dish served to honored guests by the Van Kieu people - Photo: HOANG TAO

Read more Back to the Home page

Back to the topic

YELLOW APPLE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ve-dai-ngan-truong-son-an-con-ca-mat-20250414102613487.htm