Strangely, the specialty of “ocean headlights” looks terrible and can be enjoyed in Phu Yen
After processing the meat for export, the tuna eyes were sold to restaurants, from which the “ocean
Although the appearance is somewhat scary, many diners are not brave enough to taste it, but the tuna eyes (also known as “ocean headlights”) are a “unique” specialty in Phu Yen.
Phu Yen is known as a tourist paradise because of its pristine natural landscape, with clear blue beaches and smooth white sand.
In particular, food in Phu Yen is also a plus point for remote tourists. It is considered as the “capital” of tuna in Vietnam with an output of over 5,500 tons of tuna exported per year.
Therefore, when coming to Phu Yen, visitors will enjoy a series of “famous” delicacies from this fish. In particular, it is impossible not to mention the specialty of tuna’s eyes with traditional Chinese medicine (also known as “ocean headlights”).
Phu Yen fishermen often catch tuna in January every year, of which April is the highest season. This time, the fishermen’s offshore fishing boats return to return carrying the freshest tuna series.
Being a type of seafood with high nutritional value, tuna has become a nutritious food source and processed into a variety of dishes. In addition to the exported meat, the local people have created a fish-eye stew with traditional Chinese medicine.
To get the fisheye to process the dish, people often get it from tuna with a large weight of about 40-50kg. Each part of the eye removed is quite large, weighing about 1-3 ounces, equivalent to a tennis ball.
Tuna eyes can process many dishes such as cooking sour soup, porridge, … but the best taste is still the fish eye with traditional herbs. Initially, the fisheye removed will be preserved with stone to keep it fresh.
After that, people prepared and deodorized fish eyes by blanching with boiled salt water, then washed, blood veins and steamed with pandan leaves, lemongrass, ginger to reduce fishy and increase flavor.
Next, the fisheye is marinated with spices and placed in a typical bowl with some traditional herbs. The bowl used must have a wide mouth and be made of ground to retain the heat and flavor of the dish.
To make the stewed tuna eye dish more delicious and richer, the processor also added meat and tuna breast. Finally, a steam bath for about 30 minutes. Fish eye stew is best when enjoyed hot with spices pepper, chili, purple onion, chopped fresh ginger.
The tuna eye dish is stewed with Chinese herbs, so it is often eaten with mustard greens, shredded perilla, crispy grilled rice cakes and a cup of spicy soy sauce.
Despite being a famous specialty in Phu Yen, the somewhat eccentric appearance of large-weight fisheye makes many visitors not brave enough to overcome fear to enjoy this dish.
It is known that each serving of tuna eyes with traditional Chinese medicine costs about 40,000 VND. The rich sweet and fatty taste melts in the mouth of the ankle, combined with the spices that make diners who enjoy it once will remember forever.
From the idyllic dish of the locals, tuna eyes with traditional Chinese medicine become a “famous” dish that is welcomed by gourmet guests. Coming to Phu Yen, it is not too difficult to find a unique tuna eye dish. Diners can enjoy it at luxury restaurants or in small street vendors. Follow Dan trí
