When discussing the coastal city of Da Nang, one must pay attention to its delicious and affordable seafood dishes.
SEAFOOD DELICACIES IN DA NANG
The coastal region of central Vietnam is a treasure trove of seafood, offering a wide variety including shrimp, crabs, squid, clams, and snails. The local chefs’ use of various cooking methods and rich spices creates a diverse range of irresistible dishes, each infused with the essence of the sea. The freshness of Da Nang’s seafood ensures that even simple preparation methods, such as steaming with lemongrass, bring out the natural sweetness of these oceanic gifts.
INGREDIENTS AND PREPARATION
Here are some of the most popular seafood items in Da Nang: crabs, sea snails, scallops, tiger prawns, and clams. They are often served with green or red chili salt and made with the following ingredients: Green bird’s eye chili, mustard greens, lime/ lemon leaves, basil, lemongrass, ginger, lime juice, sugar, salt, condensed milk, and wasabi.
Preparing crabs: Place the crabs in ice water to put them to sleep for about 10 minutes. Scrub off any mud from their shells. Cleaning shellfish: Soak clams, snails, and scallops in clean water with a few chili slices for 2–3 hours to remove any sand or dirt.
Steaming:
- Lay crushed lemongrass, sliced ginger, and a few lime leaves at the bottom of the pot.
- Place shrimp, crabs, and clams on top, and add sliced chili and lemongrass. Add 200ml of water, cover the pot, and steam for 20 minutes.
- For clams and snails, steam them separately until they open. Then, add basil leaves for extra flavor.
*Chili Salt Sauce Recipes
Green Chili Salt: 50g green bird’s eye chilies; Mustard greens; 04 tbsp lime juice; ½ tsp wasabi; 01 tbsp salt; 03 tbsp condensed milk; 04 tbsp sugar.
Red Chili Salt: 50g red chilies; 07 lime leaves; 04 tbsp sugar; 03 tbsp condensed milk; 02 tbsp salt; 05 tbsp lime juice.
ENJOYING
Da Nang-style steamed seafood offers a unique balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors when paired with green and red chili salt sauces. Each bite is a burst of flavor that will leave you craving more. This seafood experience is a must-try for anyone visiting Da Nang and promises to be unforgettable!
DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
