Hue mussel rice is one of the famous specialties of the ancient capital, imbued with rustic and rustic features but no less sophisticated. This dish combines rich stir-fried mussels, cold rice, herbs and shrimp paste, creating a unique flavor that conquers anyone who has ever enjoyed it. Mussel rice is not only a delicious dish but also a symbol of Hue cuisine, representing the creativity and ingenuity of the people here.
Main Ingredients of Mussel Rice
Mussel rice is made from simple ingredients but requires a harmonious combination to create the unique flavor of this dish.
Stir-fried Mussels
Mussels are the main and typical ingredient of mussel rice dish. After being cleaned, fresh mussels are stir-fried with onions, garlic, and fish sauce to create a rich flavor. The mussels are small, have sweet meat, and when combined with shrimp paste, create a unique flavor for the dish.
Cold Rice
An interesting thing about mussel rice is using cold rice to keep the rice grains dry and chewy. Cold rice helps balance flavors and create softness, combining perfectly with stir-fried mussels and other ingredients.
Raw Vegetables And Spices
Mussel rice cannot lack raw vegetables such as herbs, pennywort, sliced banana flowers, and mint. These vegetables add freshness and add rich flavor to the dish. In addition, shrimp paste, dried chili, and fried onions are also important ingredients, highlighting the spicy, aromatic taste of mussel rice.
How to Make Mussel Rice at Home
Below are simple steps for you to make your own Hue mussel rice dish at home and enjoy the unique flavors of the ancient capital.
Ingredients Need to Prepare
- Fresh mussels: 300g
- Cold rice: 2 bowls
- Raw vegetables: herbs, pennywort, banana flowers, mint
- Hue shrimp paste: 2 teaspoons
- Chili powder, fried onions, garlic, pepper, salt
- Crush roasted peanuts
Implementation Steps
Step 1: Prepare mussels
After purchasing, soak mussels in diluted salt water to remove sand. Then wash and boil until cooked. When the mussels open their shells, take them out and separate the mussel meat.
Step 2: Stir-fry mussels
Stir-fry onion and garlic, then quickly stir-fry mussels with a little fish sauce and chili powder. Stir-fry the mussels for about 3-5 minutes until the mussels absorb the spices, then turn off the stove.
Step 3: Prepare raw vegetables
Wash raw vegetables such as herbs, banana flowers, mint and pennywort, drain and chop finely. Crush roasted peanuts to sprinkle on the final dish.
Step 4: Perfect the dish
Place cold rice in a bowl, arrange raw vegetables on top, add stir-fried mussels, sprinkle with roasted peanuts, fried onions and a little chili powder. Can be served with shrimp paste and mussel broth to add rich flavor to the mussel rice dish.
Mussel Rice – Hue's Unique Delicious Food
Mussel rice is not only a simple dish but also a characteristic of Hue's culinary culture. This dish demonstrates creativity in combining rustic ingredients, from stir-fried mussels, cold rice to raw vegetables and spices, creating a delicate flavor. Mussel rice gives diners a rustic but no less attractive feeling, a dish that when mentioning Hue, people cannot forget.
Hue specialties
Hue mussel rice is a unique dish, bearing the mark of the ancient capital. With its rich flavor, harmonious combination of ingredients and delicate preparation, mussel rice has become an indispensable part of Hue cuisine. Try making your own mussel rice at home to experience and discover the wonderful flavor of this dish, connecting with the typical culinary culture of Vietnam.
