‘Can’ fish is a type of freshwater fish usually living in schools in small ditches in the countryside. The most abundant fish are in September and October of the lunar calendar, when the last rains of the season appear, and the fish follow the water currents into the fields or small ditches along the banks of the Ha Sau and Co Co rivers.

After being seasoned with fresh turmeric leaves, onions, garlic, spices and of course, shallots, the fish is usually left for half an hour to an hour to absorb the spices and then placed on the stove to cook. Photo: D.D

This type of fish is only as big as a little finger, the biggest one is only as big as a big toe, not fat, not much meat. However, it is the best dish during the cold, rainy days.

The fish is seasoned with fresh turmeric leaves, onions, garlic, spices and of course, shallots after being rinsed the slime off by water. After that, it is usually left for half an hour to an hour to absorb the spices and then placed on the stove.

On the charcoal stove, the smell of the fish mixed with the smell of shallots and turmeric leaves fill the kitchen. When the water had just drained, add a few spoons of pure peanut oil and some crushed peppercorns on top. For a winter meal, opening the lid of the fish makes the whole house warm and fragrant. Each small fish was golden yellow with the colour of turmeric leaves and the strong aroma of shallots is very appealing. The fish with honey tasted a bit bitter, but then had a very delicious light sweetness.

The fish with turmeric leaves is simple and plain, but the delicious flavour permeated every memory, so that when I was far away from home living in the city, on cold winter afternoons, I felt nostalgic for the aroma of the dish in my poor hometown not so long ago.

Although it was a dish of poor families at that time, a pot of braised ‘can’ fish with turmeric leaves had a special appeal to the people of my hometown. The unique flavour of braised fish with turmeric leaves not only stimulates the taste buds of a cold winter dinner but also revives warm memories, so that each piece of fish becomes an important piece of the story of the family and culture of Quang Nam.

In Da Nang, to enjoy this special dish, you can visit the Tay Bac Restaurant located on Au Co Street, Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District.

Reporting by DUNG HONG - Translating by M.DUNG