The dish, not only a delicious regional specialty but also believed to bring good fortune and prosperity for the new year, has attracted huge demand.

Fried giant snakehead fish – A lucky dish for the New Year

Not only considered a famous specialty of southern Vietnam with its irresistible flavor, this dish also attracts customers because it is believed to bring good luck and wealth for the New Year.

According to popular belief, fish dishes are thought to bring luck in the coming year. In Chinese, the word for fish sounds similar to the word for "abundance." Therefore, many people believe that eating fish at the start of the year will bring prosperity and abundance.

Even during the Tet holiday, fish dishes served whole are even more popular, symbolizing the wish for a year of smooth sailing, from beginning to end.

Among them, fried giant snakehead fish is the most popular and sought-after dish due to its firm, slightly chewy texture and naturally sweet and fragrant taste.

This dish is one of the best-loved specialties of the Mekong Delta, not only attracting local food lovers but also drawing food enthusiasts from Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Pham Tam, the owner of a restaurant specializing in local delicacies in Bac Lieu, shared that to achieve the best quality, one must choose fresh, healthy giant snakehead fish weighing 1.2 to 1.5 kg each.

The fish is then processed, cleaned, and its scales are left intact. After washing, the fish is dried and deep-fried. "This dish is not complicated to prepare but requires the chef to have experience and skill."

The fish must be fried in a large pot with enough oil, and the oil must be hot before the fish is added. During frying, it's important not to stir or flip the fish too often to avoid peeling off the scales or breaking the fish," Mr. Tam explained.

Mr. Tam also revealed that the chef needs to gauge the oil temperature and adjust the heat to ensure the fish becomes crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without absorbing too much oil, avoiding a greasy taste.

The timing is crucial as well to ensure the fish is evenly cooked. If fried too long, the meat will become dry. The perfectly fried giant snakehead fish should have a golden-brown color, crispy skin, and fragrant meat.

Once fried, the fish is served with some scallion oil and roasted peanuts.

Mr. Tam shared that fried giant snakehead fish is highly favored by customers, especially during Tet. His restaurant is always busy during this time, with both dine-in and take-out orders.

"Near Tet, we serve around 70-80 servings of fried giant snakehead fish. As soon as the fish is fried, it’s sold out immediately," said the restaurant owner.

"For customers dining in, the chef starts frying the fish only when the order is placed, ensuring it’s served hot to maintain the best flavor," he added.

Ms. Minh Ly (from Vinh Long) commented that the fried giant snakehead fish is particularly appealing because of the fish's natural flavor, without the need for extra seasoning. The crispy scales, tender meat, and moisture make it easy to eat, suitable for both the elderly and children.

"The fried giant snakehead fish, served with fresh herbs, has a refreshing taste, and even after eating a lot, it doesn’t feel greasy. Because it helps with digestion and provides relief from heat, this dish is especially loved during the New Year. Every Tet, whenever I have guests from far away, I always buy this dish to serve and share with everyone," she expressed.

Thao Trinh