Binh Chau has braised shrimp dish.

Shrimp paste is a familiar ingredient in Quang Ngai cuisine, especially the fragrant braised shrimp paste dish, rich in the flavor of home.

Braised pork floss dish with unique flavor

In early spring, Binh Chau beach (Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province) is busier than ever when the bumper shrimp season returns.

The boats cut through the waves and after just a few hours returned with their holds full of fresh pink sea shrimp.

Bumper shrimp season on Binh Chau beach

Each boat set sail in the brilliant dawn light, returning after just a few hours with its hold full of sea shrimp.

Each trip out to sea, fishermen can collect from 500 kg to more than 1 ton of shrimp, bringing in a significant income of up to 20 - 30 million VND per day. Batches of fresh pink shrimp, jumping in the net, become the joy and hope of many fishing families.

Shrimp (also known as shrimp) is a small crustacean, similar in shape to shrimp but only 4 - 10mm long.

Shrimp live in coastal waters, most concentrated about 4 - 5 nautical miles from shore.

Shrimp fishing takes place during the day, helping fishermen exploit effectively while ensuring the freshness of the product.

With this year’s bumper shrimp season, Binh Chau boats are even busier, carrying full holds of shrimp, glowing with the characteristic pink color. The price of shrimp here is about 20,000 VND/kg.

Hometown flavor from braised pork floss

Sea shrimp is not only a precious product but also an endless source of inspiration for Quang Ngai cuisine. People here have countless ways to process shrimp into delicious rustic dishes but full of the flavor of the sea.

Among them, braised pork floss with rice paper is an unforgettable specialty. Fresh pork floss, after being cleaned, is marinated with salt, crushed ginger, and a little MSG to absorb the spices.

My mother usually sautés the shallots in a pan of oil, then adds the shrimp and stir-fries evenly. When the shrimp is firm, she adds a little Cua Dai fish sauce and a little sugar to balance the salty and sweet flavors. The braised shrimp is perfect when it is pink-orange, firm, and fragrant.

Seasoned shrimp to make braised shrimp dish

To enjoy braised pork floss properly, it must be served with crispy grilled rice paper and fresh vegetables such as lettuce, basil, fish mint, sour star fruit, cucumber...

In particular, the spicy lemon, garlic and chili fish sauce will round out the flavor, making the dish irresistibly rich. Each piece of rice paper rolled with shredded pork and dipped in fish sauce is a wonderful blend of the taste of the ocean and the scent of the countryside, simple yet sophisticated.

Only about 40,000 VND is enough to buy ingredients to prepare this dish for 2 people to eat "full", both economical and ensuring to provide enough necessary nutrients for the body, "neutralizing" the fat from the abundant fish and meat during the "Tet" days.

Speaking of braised shrimp dish, my hometown still echoes the song: "Binh Chau has braised shrimp dish / Attracting thousands of visitors to come here / Spring comes with the gentle sea breeze / Mixed with the "fragrance of shrimp", captivating many people!".

Braised pork floss rolled in rice paper with raw vegetables is very delicious.

Childhood memories by the Ve River

Thinking back to my childhood, I see myself and my friends, carrying baskets in their hands, wading barefoot along the banks of the Ve River to catch shrimp. At that time, the simple joy was just diving into the cool water, laughing and bringing home fresh shrimp for the family meal.

My mother, with her diligent hands, skillfully processed sea shrimp into delicious dishes, both familiar and full of the flavor of the countryside. Shrimp stir-fried with star fruit, shrimp stir-fried with green squash or shrimp cooked in tomato soup… each dish is associated with sweet memories of a carefree time.

Green vegetable gardens along the canal in Binh Chau commune

Now, when I return to my hometown, standing on the banks of the Ve River, I suddenly feel my heart sink. The water still flows tirelessly, but those innocent days are long gone.

Only the scent of dried shrimp, the taste of home-cooked meals, always reminds me of my roots, of love, of the most simple and precious things in life.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/binh-chau-co-mon-ruoc-um-20250220113937861.htm