CHA CA LA WONG
Up a flight of rickety stairs in Hanoi is a 100-year-old restaurant that is often a must-not-miss in guidebooks. It serves one iconic, delicious dish, called cha ca la Vong, which also happens to be the name of the restaurant. In the bright, noisy dining room, packed with communal tables set with little charcoal burners, a skillet of fish and other components arrives, and you submit to a brusque ceremony of tabletop cooking and do-it-yourself assembly. This version, from the chef Simpson Wong, omits shrimp paste and utilizes fresh turmeric.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Place the fresh turmeric, ground turmeric, ginger and galangal in a food processor or mini-chopper. Process until very fine, almost a paste. Transfer to a stainless-steel dish. Wash food processor immediately to prevent staining. Place the fish in a bowl. Rub mixture all over fish, remembering to wear gloves or plastic bags on your hands to avoid turmeric stains. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Combine fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of the garlic, half the chile flakes, the lime juice, sugar and 1/2 cup cold water in a small bowl. Stir well. Refrigerate. Place noodles in another bowl, cover with warm water and set aside 10 minutes until softened.
- Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil, drain noodles and add to boiling water. Cook 1 minute, then drain.
- Spread lettuce on a serving platter. Spread noodles over lettuce. Cover lightly with a sheet of foil or plastic wrap.
- Place oil in a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet and heat to a high temperature. Add fish pieces. When seared on one side, 1 minute or so, turn to sear other side, sprinkle with salt and remaining chile flakes and cook through, another minute or two. Remove to another platter. Add onions to pan and reduce heat to medium. When onions start to brown, add remaining garlic, stir, and add scallions. Stir again. Tuck fish pieces back into the pan and add the dill. Cook about 1 minute, just enough to warm fish. Remove pan from heat.
- Spread contents of the pan, including all the oil, on noodles. Scatter herbs on top, then toss on peanuts and fried shallots. Serve with sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 551, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 39 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1647 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams
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Milica Kamilica
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and the results were amazing! The chicken was so tender and the sauce was so flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.
jahleeah simpson
[email protected]I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe because I'm not a big fan of sweet and sour dishes. But I'm so glad I did! The sauce was surprisingly delicious and the chicken was cooked to perfection.
Tadas Petraitis
[email protected]This is one of my favorite recipes! I've made it several times and it always turns out great. The sauce is so flavorful and the chicken is always cooked perfectly.
Patrick Niyokwizera
[email protected]I made this dish for my family last night and they loved it! The sauce was so good and the chicken was cooked to perfection.
Dad Jimmy
[email protected]This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and the results are delicious. The chicken is tender and the sauce is flavorful.
Elaine Mendoza
[email protected]I've made this dish several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The sauce is so delicious and the chicken is always cooked perfectly.
Luckyna Basson
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and the results were amazing! The chicken was so tender and the sauce was so flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.
Valentine Kenechukwu
[email protected]I was a bit hesitant to try this recipe because I'm not a big fan of sweet and sour dishes. But I'm so glad I did! The sauce was surprisingly delicious and the chicken was cooked to perfection.
Melina Davis
[email protected]This is one of my favorite recipes! I've made it several times and it always turns out great. The sauce is so flavorful and the chicken is always cooked perfectly.
Shabbir Zarkoon
[email protected]I made this dish last night and it was a hit with my family! Everyone loved the sweet and sour sauce and the chicken was so tender.
Elsa DeJesus
[email protected]This dish was absolutely delicious! The flavors were so well-balanced and the chicken was cooked to perfection. I will definitely be making this again.