Each year, a season follows the tide
Every year, when water from the upper Mekong River flows in, the fields in the upstream areas of An Giang and Dong Thap welcome the flood season. This is also when linh fish appear densely, creating a special fishing and culinary season. Interestingly, the linh fish season does not last all year round.
The life cycle of this fish species is closely linked to the tide: Appearing massively when the tide rises and gradually thinning when the tide recedes. This short appearance has made linh fish a unique seasonal specialty, only found in the upstream Mekong River region.
Not only is it a familiar food on the family meal tray, linh fish is also associated with the fishing rhythm of the delta residents. From the night fishing rhythm, the bustling scene of trading at upstream fish markets to the way fire is lit in the small kitchen, this fish has gone deep into the riverine cultural life.
From rustic products to the culinary soul
Adult linh fish are only as big as an adult's finger but can be processed into many delicious dishes. At the beginning of the season, young linh fish with sweet and fatty meat and soft bones are the most sought-after ingredient. In the middle and late season when the fish is larger, people flexibly switch to making thinly braised linh fish, fried crispy, fermented with fish sauce or cooked in sour soup. Especially served with braised fish sauce, considered a unique specialty.
The combination of linh fish with flood season field vegetables such as dien dien flowers, water lily flowers, water mimosa... creates a rustic culinary style. The most famous must be the sour soup of linh fish and dien dien flowers with smoke billowing, blending the sweet and refreshing taste of fish and the bitter taste of dien dien flowers - fully expressing the philosophy of living in harmony with nature of Southern people.
Flavors that keep tourists
The flood season is becoming a typical tourism product of the Southwest region. Besides the river scenery, flood experience trips, tourists also have the opportunity to explore the life of fishing and enjoy dishes that only appear at special times of the year. In that picture, linh fish is one of the flavors that is hard to ignore, considered a culinary messenger.
From a small fish species following the Mekong River to the fields, through the culinary creation of upstream people, linh fish has become a specialty reminiscent of the flood season and the unique culinary culture of the Mekong Delta.
On the occasion of National Day September 2nd, coming to An Giang, Dong Thap, enjoying linh fish and field vegetables not only helps tourists discover another delicious dish, but also is an opportunity to deeply feel the beauty of the Southern land - where the water season was once considered a natural disaster, now becoming a part of natural resources and a unique tourism experience.
