(Bun Ca by Vietnamese). The taste of a bowl of noodles with blended fish in Quy Nhon is quite different from that in Nha Trang. Despite of the difference, both are very delicious. In the culinary diversity of the Vietnamese, noodles with blended fish is not as dominant as Pho, beef noodle..., but it is very suitable with the modest character of people living near the sea. Hidden behind the quietness and modesty are all characters of the sea, characters of those who cook each bowl of noodles.

Noodles with blended fish originated from central Vietnam, but anyone can cook this kind of dish as it is very simple to cook noodles with blended fish. Each region has its own processing version as the raw materials and taste are not the same in each place. However, the dish is best if properly processed with the raw materials and recipes in Binh dinh.

A delicious bowl of noodles with blended fish is the harmonious combination of fried fish, noodles, broth and sauce. The cook must have know-how in each stage of cooking if he wants to make a delicious one.

First is the step of making fish ball. Several fish can be used to make fish ball, but the most delicious one is made from mackerel. The fresh mackerel is cleaned, scraped white, then mixed with garlic, sugar, pepper, salt, to have a flavored mixture.

The pepper is very important in making the good mixture because with the spicy taste of pepper, visitors can enjoy the hot feeling in the tongue. The secret of making delicious fish ball is to mix into the meat mixture some onion leaf to bring a fragrance to the mixture.

In the restaurants, or in some shops serving noodles with blended fish, the cook often use machine to grind, but the most delicious pieces of fish ball are grinded in stone mortars.

After thoroughly grinded, the mixture is shaped into a circle or cylinder length, depending on the habits of the eaters. A little cooking oil is absorbed into the palm and the cook starts to shape the mixture. The mixture is then fried or steamed depending on the taste of guests. Some people like to eat fried fish to enjoy the crispy crunchy taste of the skin and the sweet toughness of the meat inside. Others like to eat steamed fish with less oil and a thin film of golden omelets on the surface. But it is best to have both types in a bowl of noodles.

More important is the water use for cooking. It must be cooked with mackerel’s bones and head, creating a natural sweetness. To have clear water, the cook has to wait till the water is hot, then drop fish bones into it, adding some baked includes salt and a little sugar to have sweet taste.

Served with fried fish are a lot of sauces, but the most common one is sweet and sour fish sauce. Fish sauce is mixed with sugar and fresh chili puree, then added squeeze lemon juice to feel all the harmony between nature, earth and sky.

Coming to Quynhon Sea City, it is really wonderful to enjoy cool sea breeze with a bowl of hot noodles, served with sprouts, green onion slices, young ginger, herbs, lettuce, a little chili sauce  and squeezed lemon. You will never forget the harmony of sweet broth, the taste of blended fish combined with sweet and sour sauce and pepper.

WHERE TO EAT: 

1. Bun ca Phuong teo

Opening: 6.00Am - 23.00 Am

Address: 415 Nguyen Hue street - Quy Nhon city

Tell: (+ 84) 56. 6259863

2. Bun ca Ngoc Lien

Opening: 6.00 Am - 23.00 PM

Address: 379A Nguyen Hue street - Quy Nhon city

Tell: (+ 84) 056. 3818279

price:  Bun ca:      20.000 VND - 25.000 VND

             Bun sua:    25.000 VND - 30.000 VND

             Bun Rieu:  20.000 VND -  25.000 VND

             Pho Bo:     25.000 VND - 30.000 VND