When you come to Da Nang, don’t forget to enjoy the unique Nam O fish salad

1When you come to Da Thanh, you must once enjoy Nam O fish salad

The reason it is called Nam O fish salad is because the small coastal fishing village of Nam O, about 10km north of Da Nang city center, is the cradle of this unique salad. People here live mainly on traditional fishing. Regularly day after month, fishermen in the fishing village set sail at dusk and only return home when the sun slowly appears on the horizon.

See more: Da Nang tamarind squid – One of the famous specialties in Da Nang

Usually, high-priced fish will be sold by fishermen to traders who will take it to restaurants and markets. The remaining fish will be kept by the fishing villagers to ferment fish sauce or cook. Fresh batches of herring will be delivered to restaurants and eateries in the city to be processed into the famous Nam O fish salad plates that are famous throughout the region. Even the plates of Nam O fish salad are so delicious that people lovingly call them ‘Vietnamese sashimi’.

The reason for using herring to make a famous salad on the famous Da Nang specialty map is because this is a fish with a very delicious taste and sweet meat, suitable for eating raw without a strange fishy taste, extremely fragrant. delicious, attractive and nutritious.

2What makes Nam O fish salad special is famous throughout the region

2.1 Nam O fish salad is special with a unique preparation method

Most people who enjoy Nam O fish salad for the first time will feel a bit confused when asked by the restaurant owner whether to use dry or wet salad. This is easy to understand because Nam O fish salad consists of two types, including dry salad for people who have just eaten it for the first time and are wondering how to properly enjoy this dish and wet salad for those who like to eat it for the first time. gourmet cuisine.

Both dry salad and wet salad are made entirely from freshly caught herring, the only difference is the final processing step. The herring used to prepare this salad must be fresh and have firm meat because if the fish has been left for a long time, it will not have a characteristic aroma when processed, on the contrary, it will cause discomfort for diners.

After being brought home, the fish will be cleaned, completely removing the head, intestines, scales and other excess parts. After that, the chef will add a little salt and vinegar to the water to wash the fish more cleanly, and also remove the fish’s characteristic fishy smell. After several times of washing the fish like that, only the characteristic aroma remains. After being washed, the fish will be dried thoroughly, then the back meat will be cut.

The process of fleshing the fish is extremely difficult and can only be done by experienced chefs. Because you have to cut it very carefully to avoid the bones getting stuck in the fish meat, then you have to cut that fillet into many thin slices. The special thing about Nam O fish salad is that the fish meat slices must be sliced ​​as thinly as possible so that the spices can be absorbed evenly, and at the same time, the fish dish when served also looks more beautiful and attractive.

For the dried Nam O fish salad, the fish, after being cleaned and drained, will be mixed with typical spices such as taro, roasted sesame, roasted peanuts, and crushed grilled rice paper. Many types of fish sauce, salt, delicious fish sauce and vinegar. This step will help coat the fish with a thin layer of flour, contributing to adding a rich, fatty taste to the fish meat.

In contrast to wet Nam O fish salad, after being thoroughly prepared, the fish will be marinated with ginger, galangal, garlic, minced chili and soaked in broth mixed with fish sauce to create flavor. characteristic of this dish. Just hearing it makes you feel attractive, right?

2.2 Special Nam O fish salad with a bowl of ‘divine’ dipping sauce

Although it is said that herring is the ‘beauty queen’ of this unique fish salad, the dipping sauce is equally famous and is an indispensable important ingredient, contributing to creating an unforgettable flavor. The dipping sauce used to dip the fish salad must be a dipping sauce prepared according to a family recipe that is different for each person, creating a unique flavor for each restaurant.

The dipping sauce is made from the juice extracted from the fish after marinating. This not only helps the fish drain quickly but also allows you to fully utilize this juice to make a delicious and attractive dipping sauce.

The fish juice will then be boiled with tomatoes, adding a little famous Nam O fish sauce along with a little chili, galangal, tapioca starch and other spices to enhance the flavor. When serving to diners, the chef will mix in a little sesame and crushed roasted peanuts to enhance the aroma and add more fat to the famous fish salad.

2.3 When using Nam O fish salad, you cannot do without a basket of fresh green wild vegetables

It would be an extremely big mistake if you enjoy this Nam O fish salad without a basket of fresh, tender wild vegetables. Usually, the types of wild vegetables used to eat with fish salad are extremely diverse, including wild toadstool leaves, toadstool leaves, brocade leaves, stop leaves, etc.

These are forest leaves that grow in the mountains at the foot of Hai Van Pass. They are extremely difficult to pick and must go through a careful preservation process so that when served to diners, the vegetables still retain their attractive freshness. Not only that, many restaurants also combine it with apricot leaves, polyscias fruticosa, perilla, lettuce, bean sprouts, banana ears, cucumbers, mangoes, bananas, etc. to add a rich flavor to each salad roll. Unique Nam O fish.

2.4 Nam O fish salad is special with a simple way but full of flavor

According to gourmet food lovers, there are two ways to enjoy the full taste of this Nam O fish salad. The first way is to put vegetables and fish on rice paper and roll it up, then dip it with dipping sauce to fully feel the freshness of the fish meat, the richness of the dipping sauce, and the spiciness of the chili peppers. ginger.

The second way is to mix ingredients such as fish and vegetables, add a little dipping sauce and serve with grilled rice paper. This way of eating will help the ingredients of the fish salad become more flavorful and add the crunchiness of grilled rice paper, making it both more enjoyable and more delicious.

3Places to eat delicious Nam O fish salad in Da Nang you can visit

During your journey to explore Da Nang, if you want to enjoy the famous Nam O fish salad in this region, you can visit the restaurants suggested by Vietnamtravelio below. With a moderate price and clean space, you will have the opportunity to enjoy fresh and rich salad plates that will make you want to enjoy them forever.

Ba My Fish Salad Restaurant:

Address: 11 Mai Lao Bang, Thuan Phuoc ward, Hai Chau district, Da Nang city

Reference price: from 70,000 VND / serving

Tan Fish Salad Restaurant:

Address: 464 Dien Bien Phu, Da Nang city

Reference price: from 30,000 VND to 120,000 VND / dish

Sau Hao Fish Salad Restaurant:

Address: 232 Tran Cao Van, Thanh Khe district, Da Nang city

Reference price: from 70,000 VND to 90,000 VND / dish

Thanh Huong Fish Salad Restaurant:

Address: 1029 Nguyen Luong Bang, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City

Reference price: 70,000 VND / small portion, 80,000 VND/ large portion

Nam O fish salad is one of the famous Da Nang delicacies that you should not miss if you have the opportunity to return to the beautiful central coastal city. See you on a beautiful day, let’s go eat Nam O fish salad together!