Exploring the Charming Chiều Phú Túc Market
Unlike a conventional market, Chiều Phú Túc is a spontaneous bazaar that springs to life on the sidewalks along Hai Bà Trưng and Nguyễn Văn Trỗi streets and their neighboring alleys. Every day, as the sun begins to set, around 3 pm, the market comes alive. Over thirty simple stalls are set up without any particular order, yet each stall showcases the essence of the land and the Ba River. The market buzzes with activity until darkness falls, when the streetlights and motorcycle headlights replace natural light, and the vendors return to their farms, carrying with them the small yet meaningful earnings of the day.
The vendors at Chiều Phú Túc are humble farmers. They bring to the market the freshest produce that nature has to offer. One of the highlights of this season is tiang liang, a local delicacy. After the rains, the tiang liang trees in the forest sprout tender young shoots. During their lunch break, women from the buôn Kết village go into the forest to pluck these shoots, carefully tying them into bundles with grass stems. Each bundle of tiang liang is sold for just five thousand dong, a modest price that belies the unique and memorable flavor it brings to the table.
Tiang liang leaves are not only used as a side dish with grilled dishes but also pounded into a dipping sauce or mixed with dried fish, creating a rustic yet flavorful dish. Many people also buy tiang liang to send to their loved ones far away, as a way of sharing the tastes of home. When the tiang liang season ends, the vendors turn to gathering lá giang leaves, wild grass, or even catching insects to sell at the market, showcasing the diversity and deep connection to nature that defines this place.
Another unique feature of Chiều Phú Túc market is the ready-to-cook bag of stir-fried lá mì with bitter melon. Inside each small plastic bag is a combination of crushed lá mì leaves, wild bitter melon, chili, bamboo shoots, and male đu đủ flowers. At just ten thousand dong per bag, it’s enough to cook a meal for three to four people. Buyers only need to add some fish sauce or, for a more indulgent dish, steamed fish or pork belly. This convenient dish is a favorite among busy individuals who love the taste of lá mì but don’t have the time to prepare it themselves, as the process of crushing the leaves is quite time-consuming. The creation of this ready-to-cook dish is a testament to the practicality and thoughtfulness of the Krông Pa farmers.
Located by the serene Ba River, Chiều Phú Túc market naturally offers an abundance of fresh river produce. Lively shrimp, cá chốt, cá bống, and cá trắng, among other fish, testify to the richness of nature here. Every morning, couples cast their nets, sell a portion at the morning market, and then reset their nets for the afternoon, ensuring the freshest catch for their customers. Indeed, the fresh shrimp and fish, still lively from the river, are often sold out within an hour of being displayed, attracting buyers with their irresistible freshness.
In addition to these signature products, the market also offers a variety of other local specialties that are sure to tantalize the taste buds of any visitor. These include fresh ants and ant eggs, termite mushrooms, bitter melon, dưa gang, chili, and male đu đủ flowers, to name a few. Each dish and produce carries a unique flavor, born from the harmonious blend of the land, water, and sky. No one remembers exactly when Chiều Phú Túc market first began, but it has woven itself into the memories of countless generations, especially those who have moved away from their hometown.
Even those who have left Krông Pa to seek opportunities elsewhere always carry with them the memories of the simple, rustic flavors of the local cuisine. So, whenever they return, they make their way to Chiều Phú Túc market to relive those tastes—flavors that are unique to this place. Even visitors who are not from Krông Pa are captivated by the market. They are drawn to the freshness and authenticity of each item, wanting to buy and try everything. Chiều Phú Túc market is more than just a place of commerce; it is a cultural space that preserves and spreads the honest and humble values of the land, a space that resonates with the memories and hearts of many.
