Sour shrimp paste: Taste, how to prepare and where to buy

1Introducing sour shrimp paste

1.1 What kind of dish is sour shrimp paste?

Sour shrimp paste is one of the famous specialties of the ancient capital of Hue. This is a simple, seasonal gift from the peaceful countryside, made from the freshest river shrimp.

The people of the ancient capital skillfully used familiar spices, such as chili, galangal, garlic, sticky rice, mixed with fresh river shrimp to make each batch of famous Hue sour shrimp paste. Usually, people in the ancient capital will eat sour shrimp paste with white rice, banh chung, banh tet, boiled meat, and pickled bean sprouts. At first glance, it seems simple but the flavor is extremely attractive.

The reason why sour shrimp paste is called a seasonal dish of the ancient capital of Hue is because, depending on the time of year, people will use a variety of different types of shrimp to prepare it.

To make a batch of Hue sour shrimp paste, in February and October, people will use ground shrimp. Meanwhile, in the months of March and May, tiger shrimp will be their preferred ingredient. However, no matter what type of shrimp is used, each batch of sour shrimp paste contains the simple flavor of the ancient capital, anyone who has had the opportunity to enjoy it will remember it forever.

1.2 Origin of Hue sour shrimp paste

Legend has it that sour shrimp paste is a dish that originated in Go Cong land, and it was Queen Mother Tu Du who brought this dish to the ancient capital of Hue around the first half of the 19th century.

At that time, sour shrimp paste with its attractive sweet and sour flavor made King Thieu Tri and King Tu Duc love it, and they ordered it to be served in charity meals. During the Nguyen Dynasty, sour shrimp paste would be slightly modified to fit the royal culinary culture, and gradually popularized among the people.

1.3 Ingredients to make an attractive batch of sour shrimp paste

Sour shrimp paste has an attractive flavor but is made from simple, simple ingredients and is most closely associated with people’s lives. The ingredients to make each batch of this attractive fish sauce include:

– Ground shrimp/white shrimp: 500 grams

– Pureed cold rice: 1 cup

– Garlic: 50 grams

– Galangal: 150 grams

– Chili: 10 pieces

– Sticky rice flour: 2 spoons

– Young guava leaves, thin bamboo splints

– Spices: fish sauce, 40 degree white wine, sugar, honey

Note: To increase the flavor of sour shrimp paste, ground shrimp and white shrimp are two types of shrimp that you can choose. Usually, people will favor ground shrimp more, because this is a freshwater shrimp variety, so the meat is delicious and does not have a fishy smell.

Process materials

– Peel the galangal, wash it, cut it into small strips, then soak it in diluted salt water to get a beautiful white color.

– Peel the garlic and slice it thinly

– Remove seeds from chili and cut into pieces

– Wash the shrimp, remove the head, remove the black thread from the back, then drain and soak in water mixed with white wine for 30 minutes. Then marinate with galangal, garlic, chili, sugar, and salt

– Boil glutinous rice flour with 200 ml of water until the mixture is clear and thick, then turn off the stove and let cool

How to prepare sour shrimp paste

– Arrange the shrimp one by one into washed and drained plastic or glass jars. Arrange in order: a layer of shrimp, a layer of young guava leaves, until the end, then use bamboo braces or blisters to compress tightly.

– Dry the sour shrimp paste in the sun for 5 to 7 days depending on how much or how little you want it to be sour. Store in the refrigerator or keep in a cool place, away from direct sunlight

1.4 The specialness in each jar of sour shrimp paste

The eye-catching appearance with whole shrimp and attractive red color is what makes diners impressed when they see any jar of sour shrimp paste. The shrimp is carefully layered with young guava leaves and fixed with bamboo braces, so it has an eye-catching shape.

When enjoying sour shrimp paste, diners will clearly feel the sweet, fatty taste of shrimp meat, along with the spicy taste of chili, the characteristic aroma of galangal, garlic, and the added flavor of sticky rice, making it even more steaming. guide.

Usually, sour shrimp paste is eaten with hot rice, sticky rice, banh chung or vermicelli, boiled meat, and bean sprouts depending on preference. Among them, sour shrimp paste served with boiled meat, bean sprouts, raw vegetables and white rice is the version that diners love the most if they want to enjoy this simple dish.

2A place that sells sour shrimp paste so you can buy it as a gift

2.1 Co Ri sour shrimp paste shop

Address:

– 184 Tang Bat Ho, Hue city

– Floor E, Dong Ba market

– Dong Ba market bus station gate

Reference price: from 80,000 VND – 150,000 VND/jar

Each jar of sour shrimp paste at Co Ri restaurant is prepared according to a traditional recipe, with fresh shrimp and rich spices. Each portion of sour shrimp paste is packed into plastic jars, making it very convenient for people to shop, transport and preserve.

2.2 Nhat Phi sour shrimp paste

Address: 57 Dinh Cong Trang, Thuan Thanh ward, Hue city

Reference price: from 70,000 VND – 120,000 VND/jar

Nhat Phi sour shrimp is one of the oldest brands in the ancient capital of Hue, receiving support from generations of local people. In particular, besides sour shrimp sauce, here, you can also find other types of fish sauce specialties of the ancient capital, such as mam leak, melon sauce, and fish sauce.

2.3 Tan Loc sour shrimp

Address: 39 Hai Ba Trung, Vinh Ninh Ward, Hue City

Reference price: from 60,000 VND – 120,000 VND/jar

Tan Loc sour shrimp is famous for its attractive jars of sour shrimp paste, made from traditional recipes with the freshest ingredients. In particular, the restaurant produces a variety of sizes, from small to large so that diners have more choices.

2.4 Ms. Due’s sour shrimp paste

Address: Chuong Duong street, Dong Ba market, Hue city

Reference price: from 60,000 VND – 120,000 VND/jar

If you come to Dong Ba market and want to buy sour shrimp paste, Ba Due’s restaurant is a place worth considering. This is one of the oldest sour shrimp paste brands of the ancient capital of Hue, with delicious flavor, using entirely fresh ingredients. The price at Ms. Due’s restaurant is also relatively affordable, suitable for people to buy as gifts or to enjoy.

2.5 Trong Tin sour shrimp paste

Address: 21 Dang Tran Con, Hue city

Reference price: from 100,000 VND – 130,000 VND/jar

Trong Tin is one of the oldest brands producing sour shrimp paste, trusted and chosen by many people in the ancient capital of Hue. Each jar of sour shrimp paste at the restaurant is made from the freshest ingredients, bringing peace of mind to diners when enjoying.

2.6 To Viet sour shrimp paste

Address: 95 Chi Lang, Phu Cat Ward, Hue City

Reference price: from 60,000 VND/jar

To Viet sour shrimp paste is one of the addresses chosen by many diners when they intend to buy it as a gift. In particular, besides the traditional sour shrimp paste version, the restaurant also has many versions, such as combining with eggplant and papaya to give diners more options.

For a long time, sour shrimp paste has been a prominent dish on the culinary map of the ancient capital, alongside other famous names such as beef noodle soup and mussel rice. If you intend to travel to Hue and want to buy sour shrimp paste as a gift, this article from Vietnamtravelio will help you make the most satisfactory choice.