Hue was the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries. Therefore, Hue not only has many gorgeous scenes but also possesses the sophisticated and attractive cuisine. Any visitors coming to Hue city will remember the special dishes of this city. Com Hen (rice with mussels) is one of favorite dishes of many locals as well as visitors.
History
About 200 years ago, under Gia Long’s reign, because of the poverty, a Huynh woman had to go to the river bank to collect mussels her husband went fishing from day til night. Every morning, before catching shrimp and fish, she and her husband ate cold rice with mussels. This rustic dish was later spread throughout Hen dunes and popularized among the poor in Hue.
By the time of the Thieu Tri dynasty, mussels were sold in the markets of Hue city and became a favorite food of many people. During the reign of King Thanh Thai, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thep offered mussels to the king. Next, she was rewarded by the king and established Hen’s ward. Since then, Com Hen has become a royal product every Tet holiday.
Ingredients of Com Hen
Com Hen is available in many places, but it is still the best in Hue. To make Com Hen, we need the following ingredients:
– Fresh mussels
– Delicious sticky rice (An Cuu rice)
– Pigskin
– Peanut
– Starfruit sour, Indian taro
– Fresh vegetables: banana flower, young banana core, water spinach, lettuce, cilantro.
– Spices: salt, fish sauce, cooking oil, seasoning, pepper, Hue fish sauce
– Dried onions, lemon, chili, and ginger.
– White rice cooked with coolness, starfruit, herbs, Indian taro, fish sauce, pepper, fried onion, sesame salt, chili sauce, fried pork skin, fried shrimp, roasted peanuts, and mussels sauteed with spices.
Com Hen will be displayed on a large plate. All things are cool. Only mussel water must be kept hot. The mussel rice bowl is mixed from all the above ingredients. Com Hen is often eaten with really hot chili to taste. And Com Hen is served only with mussel water.
Recommend place to eat Com hen (rice with mussels):
- Com Hen Hoa Dong: 64 Kiet 7 Ung Binh, Hue City
- Com Hen Ba Cam: 02 Truong Dinh, Hue City
- Com Hen Ti Hon: 28 Pham Hong Thai, Hue City
- Com Hen Ba Lanh: 38 Ngo Gia Tu, Hue City
Cơm hến is a popular dish in Huế and is often eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a relatively inexpensive dish, but it is packed with flavor. The hến(mussels) are a good source of protein and iron, and the dipping sauce is a good source of vitamin C and capsaicin.
No matter where you choose to eat Com hen (rice with mussels) in Vietnam, you are sure to enjoy this delicious and iconic dish. So why dont you book the trip to Vietnam to enjoy the authentic Com hen as well as many delicious Vietnamese food.
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*This above information is for reference purpose only
Source: bestpricetravel.com