Beauty

“Hometown Fish Surpasses Salmon in Taste, Once Overlooked Now a City Delicacy at Just $2.50/kg”

Once overlooked, grass carp has now emerged as a highly sought-after delicacy, celebrated for its tender, sweet flesh and rich nutritional value. In the market, this prized fish commands a price of approximately 60,000 VND per kilogram.

Administrator

5 December, 2025

Grass carp, also known as Chinese carp or white amur, is a familiar freshwater fish in Vietnam. It has a flat body, thin white scales, a pointed head, and a relatively large size. Adult grass carp typically measure 35-50cm in length and weigh 2-5kg, with larger ones reaching even greater weights depending on the species.

This species is primarily found in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and even swamps. Notably, they are highly adaptable and can thrive in various water sources. In many localities, farmers combine rice cultivation with grass carp farming to utilize natural food sources and generate additional income.

Currently, there are two common types of grass carp: white grass carp and flower grass carp. They share similar habitats and diets but differ significantly in size. White grass carp are typically smaller, weighing between 0.8kg and 3kg. In contrast, flower grass carp can grow to impressive sizes, even exceeding 20kg, with firm and fatty meat, making them highly sought after.

In the past, grass carp were often overlooked despite their abundance. Their strong fishy odor made them less appealing. However, with the evolution of culinary arts and a shift in nutritional awareness, grass carp are being reevaluated. Consumers are increasingly interested in grass carp due to its tender, sweet meat, and the high omega-3 content in its fat, which rivals that of expensive saltwater fish.

Ms. Ha, a long-time freshwater fish vendor from Ninh Binh, shares: “Grass carp used to be abundant but rarely consumed due to their strong odor. Recently, they’ve become a renowned delicacy, especially flower grass carp. People often buy large ones to steam with beer, make sour soup, or braise with pickled mustard greens. They’re even regularly ordered by restaurants and hotels.”

To reduce the fishy smell, simply clean the black membrane inside the belly thoroughly and use ingredients like ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, or white wine. When prepared correctly, grass carp meat is fragrant, fatty, and tender, with fewer bones than many assume. Popular dishes include steamed grass carp with beer, braised grass carp with pickled mustard greens, sour grass carp soup, ginger-braised grass carp, and grass carp hotpot…

Grass carp are currently priced at around 60,000 – 70,000 VND/kg in local markets and online, quite affordable compared to other specialty fish. Many families prefer grass carp weighing 4-5kg for their sweet, less fishy meat, which suits various dishes. A favorite among many is sour soup made with grass carp head.

Many households have expanded their farming models to include grass carp alongside black carp, crucian carp, and others for market sale. The time required to raise grass carp for sale depends on the type, farming conditions, and desired size, but typically ranges from 6 to 8 months. At this point, the fish reach a marketable weight of approximately 2kg per individual.