Mussels - a gift from the brackish water of the Central region
When it comes to Central cuisine, people often think of simple but rich dishes, of which mussel rice and mussel dishes are typical representatives. The main ingredient of this dish – mussels – grows in the brackish water area between the river and the sea, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to create a sweet taste, light aroma and rich nutritional value.
Clam meat contains a lot of protein, iron, calcium and B vitamins, which not only help to cool down the body but also support health improvement. Thanks to its refreshing properties, clam dishes, especially clam rice, are favored by people in the Central region on hot sunny days - like a gift from nature that is both delicious and healthy.
Mussel dish is not only delicious but also a symbol of Central cuisine, loved and sought after by many people.
Variety of dishes from mussels
Mussels are not limited to one dish, but are an ingredient that can be skillfully transformed through many different ways of preparation. Each dish has its own flavor, recalling a corner of memories from home:
- Clam soup with star fruit – the sour taste of star fruit blends with the natural sweetness of clams, creating a light, refreshing bowl of soup.
- Stir-fried mussels with rice paper – a rustic yet attractive snack, when mussels are stir-fried with onions, garlic, shrimp paste, then served with crispy rice paper.
- Clam porridge - a popular breakfast dish in the Central region, hot, smooth, with the natural sweetness of clam water.
- And most special – mussel rice, a dish that crystallizes the creativity of Hue people, has now become a culinary symbol of Central Vietnam.
Among them, mussel rice is not only a delicious dish but also a culinary “cultural feature”. The combination of cold rice, stir-fried mussels, raw vegetables, peanuts, pork rinds and hot mussel broth creates a unique symphony of flavors, making it unforgettable for anyone who has tried it once.
How to make mussel rice at home - simple but full of flavor
If you want to make mussel rice yourself, the secret lies in the meticulousness in each step.
- Mussel preparation: Fresh mussels are soaked in rice water to remove all the sand, then boiled and the meat is separated.
- Stir-fry mussels: Saute onions and garlic, add mussels and stir-fry quickly with Hue shrimp paste, pepper and chili so that the mussels absorb the flavor but still retain their sweetness.
- Prepare the rice: Cold loose rice is mixed with raw vegetables including banana flower, bean sprouts, basil, herbs; sprinkle with roasted peanuts, crispy pork rinds and fried onions.
- Finishing the dish: When eating, pour hot mussel broth over the rice bowl, mix well to feel the harmony of spicy, salty, fatty and sweet flavors - the soul of mussel rice.
With just a little ingenuity, you can bring the full flavor of Hue right into your kitchen.
Hen rice in the heart of Saigon – find the soul of the countryside at Hoi An Sense
In the midst of bustling Saigon, it is rare to find a place that can recreate the authentic taste of mussel rice like Hoi An Sense. The restaurant brings the Hoi An spirit into each dish, preserving the rusticity of mussels but elevating it with sophisticated cooking techniques and luxurious presentation.
At Hoi An Sense, fresh mussels are selected from the clean waters of the Central region, carefully processed to preserve their sweetness. The sticky white rice is cooked with new rice, lightly drizzled with clear mussel broth, topped with roasted peanuts, fried onions, herbs and crispy pork rinds. Each bowl of mussel rice is not only delicious in taste but also beautiful in presentation – a combination of culinary art and emotion.
What is special is that the mussel rice at Hoi An Sense still retains the spirit of a rustic dish - simple but full of love. Each spoonful of rice tells a story about the beloved Central region, about summer afternoons listening to the sound of waves, smelling the smell of blue smoke, and enjoying a hot bowl of mussel rice full of the aroma of the countryside.
The journey of mussels – from rustic dish to fine dining experience
Nowadays, when cuisine is not only about delicious food but also about enjoyment and feeling, the dish of rice with mussels still retains its appeal. From the rustic place to the space Luxurious, this dish proves that the value of cuisine lies in the emotions and memories it evokes.
Hoi An Sense is the place to extend that journey – where rustic dishes such as mussel rice, mussel soup, or stir-fried mussels with rice paper are given a new soul, both sophisticated and imbued with the identity of the Central region. Diners can find in each dish not only the flavor, but also the story of the people, the land, and the culture.
Invitation to experience the taste of the countryside in the heart of the city
If you are looking for a place to experience the flavors of Central Vietnam in the heart of Saigon, let Hoi An Sense guide your taste journey.
A meal with mussel rice here is not simply about enjoying delicious food, but also about returning – to memories, to the soul of the countryside in every grain of rice, drop of mussel water, and the rich, spicy taste of the Central region. menu full of diversity of Hoi An Sense.
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