What many assumed was a TikToker's stunt for attention turned out to be a beloved culinary tradition in Huong Son, Ha Tinh province: eating cam bu (a local orange variety) with shrimp paste.

A unique local specialty

Cam bu is a distinctive orange variety grown extensively in Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province, and harvested in the lead-up to Tet (Lunar New Year). This fruit, cultivated for hundreds of years, has become a valuable agricultural product for local farmers.

When unripe, cam bu has a thin, sour-tasting peel. As it ripens, the peel becomes spongy and easy to remove, revealing fibrous segments inside. The ripe fruit offers a unique balance of sweetness with a lingering sour note, appealing to those who prefer a slightly tart orange flavor.

The name cam bu (meaning "compensating orange") refers to the uneven sizes of its segments, which appear to "compensate" for each other. Some fruits can weigh up to half a kilogram, making them larger than most other orange varieties.

Beyond its flavor, cam bu is considered a remedy for colds, sore throats, coughs, and even hangovers. Its harvest season lasts from early December in the lunar calendar through the end of January.

The pairing of bu orange and shrimp paste

In Huong Son, locals have found an unexpected pairing for cam bu: shrimp paste (mam tom). This combination is unique to the area, as even other parts of Ha Tinh that grow cam bu don’t share the same culinary tradition.

Bui Khuyen, a Ha Tinh native living in Hanoi, explained the process: the orange segments are dipped into shrimp paste mixed with lime juice and chili. The salty, umami flavor of the paste balances the orange’s sourness, creating a distinctive taste.

Although some might find the combination unconventional, it is beloved by those familiar with it. Khuyen admitted that first-timers might need stomach medicine on hand, but for seasoned fans like herself, it is both delicious and safe. “Whenever I think about cam bu with shrimp paste, I get cravings,” she said.

Cultural pride and online misunderstanding

Phan Tuan Anh, a TikToker from Huong Son, frequently eats cam bu with shrimp paste, a tradition he grew up with. According to him, it’s not just a remedy for colds or hangovers - it’s enjoyed simply for its taste.

Tuan Anh once posted a video of himself eating cam bu with shrimp paste, only to be met with comments accusing him of attention-seeking. Many viewers didn’t realize this was a genuine local tradition in Huong Son.

“Cam bu has a lot of juice and a slightly sour flavor, which goes well with shrimp paste. Even if people aren’t sick or hungover, they eat it just because it’s good,” he shared.

Tuan Anh also noted that cam bu is an essential part of Huong Son households during Tet, used both for eating and as an offering on ancestral altars.

Nguyen Thao