It’s mid-June and if you’re living in Hanoi, you must be driven crazy by its unbearably hot weather over the past few days. But just chill out, sit back and enjoy these special dishes made with a fruit called Sau to refresh yourself.
With a leafy canopy, Sau, known scientifically as Dracontomelon duperreanum, is planted to provide shade and has become one of the summer symbols of the Vietnamese capital city.
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| Photo by internet |
Its edible fruits have long been used as a souring agent or candied treat. Thought it is not a premium food, whenever the season arrives almost all homes in Hanoi stockpile a few kilograms in their fridges to use until next year.
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| Photo by internet |
Duck simmered with Sau is a must-try dish in summer when its unmistakable flavour is always ready to serve those who desire to savour a taste of Hanoi summer.
The easiest way for you to enjoy these Hanoi's local dishes is HANOI CITY TOUR
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| Photo by internet |
Crispy Sau fruit mixed with a variety of seasonings to add saltiness, sweetness and spiciness to the sour taste of sau are highly popular among students and office workers. Just a look can cause your saliva to flow.
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| Photo by internet |
Meanwhile Sau dipped in sugar water is a wonderfully refreshing drink to help you quench your raging thirst during days of searing heat.
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| Photo by internet |
Another must-try dish with the fruit is O Mai Sau, or salted Sau mixed with ginger, which would have been a big mistake if we forgot to mention it here.
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| Photo by internet |
Besides sugary water, fresh sau fruit can be steeped in fish sauce to create a unique food best enjoyed with water morning glory.
In recent years, sau has been added to various dishes to offer new tastes to traditional foods. In this photo, a bowl of duck soup cooked with taro, morning glory and Sau.
