World Flavors Cookbook

Chả Cá Lã Vọng

Hanoi's most famous dish — turmeric-marinated fish sizzled in oil with fresh dill and spring onion, eaten with rice noodles and roasted peanuts.

Cuisine: Vietnam

Ingredients

• 600g firm white fish (snakehead or catfish), cubed
• 1 tbsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp galangal paste
• 1 tbsp shrimp paste
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• Large bunch dill, chopped
• 4 spring onions, cut
• 200g rice vermicelli, cooked
• Roasted peanuts, shrimp paste sauce (mắm tôm)

Instructions

1. Marinate fish in turmeric, galangal, shrimp paste, and fish sauce for 1 hour.
2. Heat oil in a skillet until very hot.
3. Add fish and fry until golden.
4. Add dill and spring onions. Toss briefly.
5. Serve at the table over noodles with peanuts and shrimp paste.