Nha Trang is a tourist city with many famous attractions and boasts a rich and flavorful culinary culture. You might have heard or tasted many of its specialties such as Bánh căn, Bún cá, Nem nướng, Bánh xèo… but it would be a missed opportunity if you were here and didn’t try a bowl of Nha Trang Bún mực.
Bún mực is a must-try dish when visiting Nha Trang
In Khanh Hoa, people often call it Nha Trang Bún mực, but in fact, this dish originated from Van Ninh district, and currently, this region is the “headquarters” of this dish.
Despite its popularity, the method of preparing this dish is extremely simple. Almost anyone can make it.
Nha Trang Bún mực captivates diners with its simplicity and authenticity, from the ingredients to the preparation, yet it remains utterly irresistible
The main ingredient is fresh squid, with the most critical requirement. Because from the broth to the main topping of the dish, everything is squid. If an off-tasting squid sneaks into the mix, the bowl is considered ruined due to its strong, unpleasant fishy taste. Therefore, Bún mực is primarily popular in the coastal area of Van Ninh and a few places very close to the sea.
The most suitable type of squid for this dish is the tube squid, not too large, about the size of 2-3 fingers. Additionally, you can choose cuttlefish.
Thus, the unique feature of Bún mực compared to other noodle dishes we usually eat is the squid itself. The squid determines the clear sweetness of the broth and the chewy, fresh sweetness of each bite.
What flavor does Van Ninh Nha Trang Bún mực have?
The sweetness of the squid blended with the slightly tangy taste of pineapple and tomato creates a captivating flavor that’s hard to describe. When eating Bún mực, it’s typically accompanied by fresh herbs and garlic chili fish sauce.
Van Ninh Bún mực carries a pure sweetness solely from the fresh squid
The method of cooking Bún mực is surprisingly simple
The preparation of this dish is swift and straightforward, and you can easily make it yourself.
The necessary ingredients for Bún mực include fresh squid, tomatoes, pineapple, green onions, and chili peppers
Step 1: Preparing the squid
Gently remove the squid’s ink sac and internal organs. If the ink sac bursts, make sure to rinse it thoroughly. For larger squids, cut out the eyes and the squid’s beak, wash them thoroughly, let them drain, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Preparing the tomatoes and pineapple
Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges. Remove the eyes from the pineapple and slice it thinly.
Thinly slice the onions for sautéing until fragrant, cut the tomatoes into wedges, thinly slice the pineapple, and finely chop the green onions
Step 3: Prepare the broth
Thinly slice the purple onions and sauté until fragrant. Add tomatoes and pineapple and stir-fry for a few minutes. Then pour in the water, season with spices, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the squid. Place noodles in a bowl, top with green onions, and cilantro cut into sections. Lastly, ladle the squid and broth into the bowl and enjoy.
The simplest way to cook Bún mực involves 4 basic steps: sauté the onions, stir-fry the tomatoes, pour the broth, and add the squid
The above is a guide to making Bún mực. Generally, the methods of cooking Bún mực in Central Vietnam and Van Ninh are quite similar and relatively easy to execute. The key to the dish is that the squid must be genuinely fresh and of an appropriate size.
The method of cooking Van Ninh Bún mực is straightforward, and its captivating flavor is worth savoring or trying your hand at making it at home
To enhance the sweetness of the broth, you can add bone stock, but the original flavor of the fresh squid will be diminished.
Alternatively, you can add other toppings like squid cakes, fish cakes, or tiny shrimp.
What herbs should be paired with Bún mực?
Bún mực is typically served with garlic chili fish sauce and various fresh herbs like lettuce, cabbage, bean sprouts,…
Bún mực can be paired with a variety of fresh herbs such as lettuce, shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, basil, and mint
Where to enjoy Van Ninh Bún mực when in Nha Trang?
You can find Van Ninh Bún mực in many eateries throughout Nha Trang, even in upscale restaurants.
However, to taste the most traditionally authentic flavor of Bún mực, you should visit Van Ninh. Van Ninh is a district located in the north of Khanh Hoa province, 60km away from Nha Trang.
Bún mực is available everywhere in Van Ninh, Nha Trang; you can walk into any eatery and confidently order this dish to savor
When you arrive in Van Ninh, just enter any restaurant and confidently order this dish, it will surely not disappoint you.
The above article discusses Bún mực and Van Ninh Bún mực, a humble dish that has contributed to the renowned culinary culture of this region and the tourist city of Nha Trang. If you have the opportunity to visit, don’t forget to enjoy this savory dish that carries the flavor of the sea.