1About Hoa Dong mussel rice
Address: 64 Kiet 7 Ung Binh, City. Hue, Hue
Opening hours: 07:00 – 22:00
Reference price: 7,000 VND – 10,000 VND
Hue mussel rice is one of the simple and rustic dishes in Hue. However, few people know that this dish was once a dish used to honor the king and became a royal dish. Many people think that mussel rice is simply rice eaten with stir-fried mussels or mussel soup, but cooking this dish is very difficult, especially creating the true quality of this royal dish is even more difficult. .
When mentioning Hue mussel rice, people immediately think of Hoa Dong mussel rice restaurant because this is a long-standing address famous for its rich, unique flavor that cannot be compared anywhere else.
See more: Khai Hoan Restaurant – The most delicious and crowded claypot rice restaurant in Hue
Proper Hoa Dong mussel rice should look like this
Hoa Dong mussel rice restaurant is located on the top of Vy Da ward on Ung Binh street, quite close to the city center so you can easily get here. You just need to go straight across Phu Luu bridge to reach Con Hen. Con Hen is a place created by the siltation of the Huong River and divides the Huong River into two branches. Therefore, people here live mainly from mussel raking and mussel processing… so this place is considered the largest mussel granary in Hue. Although there are not many houses holding this profession like before because mussels around this area are gradually depleted due to illegal sand mining affecting the growth of mussels, there are still a few houses that collect mussels from near and far here. processed and sold. The busiest time is 4-5pm.
On Ung Binh street, there are many delicious Hue restaurants with many types of specialties such as: mussel vermicelli, mussel porridge, roasted pork sweet soup… but Hoa Dong mussel rice is still the restaurant that attracts the most attention.
2Space at Hoa Dong mussel rice
The space at this restaurant is simply a small stall inside an old 3-room house in Hue. At the shop there are a few low tables and a few small plastic chairs. Hoa Dong mussel rice always hangs a sign to publicize the price at the restaurant. The utensils at the restaurant are also very simple, a bowl of mussel rice here is simply: vermicelli placed in a plastic basket, cold rice placed in a tray, raw vegetables, vegetables along small iron wire nets to taste. Next to it is a glass jar containing lightly roasted peanuts with extremely shiny cooking oil. The special and indispensable ingredients in this small space are the pot of fish sauce and the pot of spicy chili sauce. Although it looks simple, easy to find, and easy to find, preparing a bowl of mussel rice is a process that takes quite a long time.
If you wonder why Hue mussel rice is not named after a place or a familiar name, Vietnamtravelio will reveal it right here. Hoa Dong mussel rice restaurant is named after the owner, Hoa, and her husband’s name is Dong. The owner is very friendly, smiles often and is very open with customers. In particular, Vietnamtravelio also learned that this restaurant has been open for more than 36 years.
A portion of mussel rice with many mussels
3Origin of Hua Dong mussel rice
According to ancient people, more than 200 years ago, there was a family of a woman named Huynh who was so poor that she had to go day and night to catch fish, shrimp, and mussels. One day, by chance, when they couldn’t catch fish or shrimp, this woman and her husband had to eat cold rice to spend the night with mussels. The taste of this food is so special that since that day it has spread throughout Hue, especially the poor people here.
Some time later, mussels were sold in the markets of Hue capital and became a popular rustic dish among all classes. During the reign of King Thai Thanh, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thep raked mussels to present to the king at Hen Islet. The king ate it and found this to be an extremely unique and flavorful dish, so he conferred the title and established the Hen ward. Since then, this dish has become a royal dish, on the list of royal and commercial dishes eaten on special occasions.
To this day, mussel rice has become a dish not only found in Hue but also in many provinces and cities across the country. Thanks to the recipe and typical flavor of the Hue people, this dish has become a specialty dish. Tourer.
4How to create a delicious bowl of mussel rice
Hue Mussel Rice is neither a delicacy nor sophisticated, yet it has become a dish that makes many people sob when remembering Hue. It is because of the gentle, refreshing taste of mussel soup that has made it receive so much admiration.
A delicious bowl of Hue mussel rice must ensure the collection of burnt yellow mussels from Con Hen. Then soak in water to clean the mud for about 3 days and 3 nights, then soak again in rain water to filter thoroughly. Next, you soak them in diluted rice water, then select the largest and healthiest mussels and soak them in ginseng water mixed with filtered water. Finally, bring them to boil. Only then will the mussel water be clear and delicious.
To create a delicious bowl of mussel rice, chefs need to prepare all the ingredients: Con Hen mussels, lard, sesame, peanuts, coriander, herbs, mint, cilantro, star fruit, banana corn, star fruit and rice. Boil the mussels and keep the water clear. Note, to keep the mussel water clear, while boiling you should add a little salt and boil for about 30 minutes then take it out. Then save the mussel boiling water and filter to get the clear water – this is also the juice to create a delicious bowl of mussel soup. Next step, you separate the mussel intestines from the shell and marinate and stir-fry with spices: onions, salt and pepper, and fish sauce. Along with that, cut the pork fat into small pieces and then fry until golden brown to get the fat. Roast the sesame seeds, let them cool, then boil them for tea. Finally, chop the herbs to prepare to serve in a bowl.
As for making rice, you cook it and let it cool for about 4 hours, then sprinkle it on top with red lard, sesame, herbs, stir-fried mussels, pork rinds and a little fat water. Next, prepare 1 more bowl of broth and put it on the side. So you have a standard Hue mussel rice meal.
Mussel noodles are also very delicious
When enjoying, you will clearly feel the cool flavor of the mussels mixed with peanuts, fish sauce, and green vegetables to create a rich, unforgettable dish. A small note when enjoying, you should not mix mussel soup into the mixed rice bowl but should separate two separate bowls. At that time, the rich taste in stir-fried mussels and the cool taste in mussel soup will be kept intact.
5Other delicious dishes at Hoa Dong mussel rice restaurant
Mussel noodles is a dish modified from mussel rice, because the ingredients to make this dish are similar, except that they are replaced with noodles. Mussel noodles have a strange taste, making many tourists excited when exploring Hue.
Mussel porridge has a fairly simple recipe and much of its deliciousness depends on whether the mussels are delicious or not, but also on the skill level of the cook. When eating mussel porridge, you just need to scoop it into a bowl and add some cilantro and pepper on top. The mussel porridge dish will be more delicious if it has lettuce or umbrellas, accompanied by fish sauce and a few slices of fresh chili.
Mussel porridge is also a delicious dish you should not miss
There’s nothing better than enjoying hot mussel rice with friends
Above are the shares about Hoa Dong mussel rice restaurant. To directly enjoy and feel the frugal flavor of mussel rice, please visit this delicious restaurant! Wishing you a memorable trip to explore Hue!
