Ha Thanh people have long been famous for their traditional culinary culture. In the hundreds, thousands of traditional dishes in food culture, it would be lacking if not referring to the dishes which are both medium and luxurious. That is “Cha Ca” in Vietnamese or Grilled Fish with Dill and Turmeric in English name.
“Cha Ca” is one of the unique specialties of the Hanoi people and definitely a must-eat in Hanoi. So importance is this local specialty, that it even has a street named after it – Cha Ca street. Local people loved this dish so much and can absolutely say it is a dish worth flying for. World-renowned, The New York Times followed its history from Vietnam to the America. “Hanoians even have a saying that … “someone should try this once in their life before leaving this world.” If you are in a Hanoi food tours, the tourist guide certainly introduce you “ Cha Ca”.
The special ingredient in this dish is grilled fish, typically mudfish or snake-head fish. According to the restaurant, the best fish to use Hemibragus, because it has fewer bones and tasty flesh. This dish is made table side and the experience of preparing the dish is almost as much fun as eating it. A waiter will set up a hot pot on your table and then he will bring everything you need to serve your meal. Fresh herbs and vegetables, vermicelli rice noodles, a bowl of roasted peanuts and a dipping fish sauce with sliced chilies. In the pot is the fish grilling with mounds of dill and turmeric. Each bite of the buttery grilled fish, perfectly seasoned with turmeric and noodles soaked in fish sauce, combined with the fresh herbs and raw vegetables. This is really a delicious explosion of flavors. Definitely, “Cha Ca” must enjoy in Hanoi in order to feel the full flavor.
I recommend for you 3 famous grilled fish with dill and turmeric restaurant in Hanoi that you should enjoy.
First of all, you must eat “Cha ca” Thang Long. This restaurant is located in 19-21-31, Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. This restaurant opens from 10.00 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. There are 3 fish dishes: grilled fish, fish stomach, and fish head soup. This is made here from the hamibagrus and striped bass. The chef still has a thick outer layer of skin to keep the fish longer. When fried, the color is dark brown, not white as fish, soft and dry. Guests can use the sauce is shrimp paste sauce or fish sauce of the restaurant, or can be customized according to their own taste. Pieces of grill fish were fried, when the table reached the yellow color. The eaters just add cucumber, onion to eat immediately.
The second famous restaurant is “Cha Ca La Vong” which is located in 14 Cha Ca street, Hanoi. This restaurant often opens every day from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Most of the international tourists who are in Hanoi local food tours, coming to Hanoi to enjoy this dish. They often choose “Cha Ca” La Vong with over 130 years of age. La Vong’s grilled fish with dill and turmeric is mainly made from hemibagrus and snake-head fish, so the meat is firm and tough, not tossed when it is repeatedly stirred in the pan. Fish slice moderately when cooked slightly golden. Eat crispy on the sides but soft in the middle, marinated mouth and aromatic. The bowl is not salty, not strong but still retain the characteristic smell. The sweet and fat of grilled fish mixed with the aroma of vegetables and salty shrimp paste sauce that made many people crave for this food.
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