Food & Receipts

The Delicious Delicacies of Thanh Hoa: Unique Names, Unforgettable Flavors

The province of Thanh Hoa is renowned for its unique and diverse specialties, and today we delve into one such delicacy with a peculiar name. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we uncover the secrets behind this renowned dish, famed for its exquisite flavor, aroma, and nutritional benefits.

Administrator

24 July, 2024

Have you ever heard of the unique delicacy called “Con Bà Chằn”? This intriguing dish originates from Thanh Hoa province and offers a range of delicious and nutritious culinary options. Join us as we explore this fascinating specialty in the article below.

1What is Con Lư (Con Bà Chằn)?

Con Lư, also known as Con Bà Chằn, may sound intimidating, but it is actually a soft-bodied mollusk without a hard shell. Its appearance resembles that of a small turtle.

The back of a Con Bà Chằn has a muddy brown color, while its underside boasts a vibrant yellow hue, and its skin is rough and textured, earning it the nickname “Con Xù Xì.”

What is Con Bà Chằn?

These creatures vary in size, with smaller ones being about the size of an adult’s thumb, and larger ones reaching up to three to four centimeters in length.

On hot days, Con Lư tend to seek shade under grass or hide in mudflats, reed beds, mangrove swamps, and even hoofprints of cattle or human footprints. They only venture out at night to forage for food.

Uncleaned Con Lư typically costs around 40,000 VND per kilogram, while cleaned ones can reach up to 160,000 VND per kilogram.

Con Lư hiding in the grass and mudflats

2How to Prepare and Cook Con Lư (Con Bà Chằn)

Preparing Con Lư for cooking requires a special process. First, place the Con Lư in a basket and cover them with leaves, sand, ash, and quicklime. Scrub vigorously to remove the slippery coating on their bodies. Once their color turns yellowish, similar to chicken fat, rinse them in salted water and drain. Make a slit along their bellies and remove the intestines. Finally, give them a final rinse, and they’re ready for cooking!

Preparing Con Lư for cooking

Con Lư can be prepared in a variety of ways, but one of the most popular dishes is “Lư Nấu Ám.” For this recipe, marinate the Con Lư with a mixture of fish sauce, garlic, chili, galangal, and lemongrass for about 15 minutes.

Next, cook the marinated Con Lư with sliced green bananas or unripe jackfruit until almost done. Then, add fried tofu and turn off the heat. Finally, garnish with sliced herbs, and your mouthwatering dish is ready to be served!

Con Lư is also delicious when stir-fried with wood ear mushrooms and cabbage, or prepared with a sweet and sour sauce, or even with lemongrass and chili.

Con Lư stir-fried with vegetables

We hope you enjoyed learning about this unique specialty from Thanh Hoa. Feel free to experiment with the recipes and discover the delicious flavors of Con Bà Chằn for yourself!

Frequently asked questions

Thanh Hoa, a province in central Vietnam, boasts a diverse range of delicious and unique culinary specialties. Some of the most renowned dishes include ‘Nem Chua’, a fermented pork sausage with a tangy flavor, and ‘Com Chén’, a flavorful rice dish served with a variety of local herbs and meats. The province is also known for its fresh seafood, including crab and shrimp, often prepared with a unique local twist. The dishes of Thanh Hoa are known for their balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, and the use of fresh, local ingredients gives them an unforgettable taste.

Nem Chua is an iconic dish of Thanh Hoa and a must-try for any visitor. It’s a type of sour sausage made from lean pork and pork skin, and it has a distinctive tangy flavor. Another signature dish is ‘Banh Cong’, a crispy rice pancake filled with shrimp and mung beans, often served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. For a heartier meal, try ‘Canh Chua Ca’, a sour and spicy fish soup that’s packed with flavor. And don’t forget to indulge in the local seafood, especially the crab and shrimp dishes, which are prepared with unique regional recipes.

The cuisine of Thanh Hoa is known for its bold and balanced flavors, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The region has a diverse culinary culture that blends mountain and sea specialties, resulting in a wide range of unique dishes. The local herbs and spices used in Thanh Hoa’s cuisine also set it apart, adding complex flavors to many dishes. Additionally, the province has a strong tradition of fermentation, which is evident in dishes like Nem Chua, giving them a tangy, umami-rich taste.

Yes, one famous dish that originated in Thanh Hoa and is now popular nationwide is ‘Banh Bot Loc’. These are delicate, translucent dumplings made from tapioca flour and filled with minced shrimp and pork, then steamed or boiled. They’re often served with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce and are a popular snack or appetizer. Another well-known dish is ‘Bun Thun’, a rice noodle soup with a unique combination of seafood and pork, topped with local herbs.

Fresh seafood is a staple in Thanh Hoa’s cuisine, with crab, shrimp, and various types of fish featuring prominently. Local herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, basil, and chili, are also essential, adding flavor and aroma to many dishes. Fermented ingredients, like the pork used in Nem Chua, play a significant role in the region’s culinary traditions. Additionally, Thanh Hoa is known for its high-quality rice, which is used in a variety of dishes, including the popular Com Chén.