When traveling to Ha Giang at the beginning of the year, specialties such as buckwheat cakes, congee au tu, vu ngan, pho trang kim, vu ngan... are delicious dishes that are difficult to miss for tourists. Of which, congee au tai is the most special dish.
Porridge made from watermelon is often used in Chinese medicine as a tofu to relieve numbness, pain, and fatigue. But watermelon also contains aconitin, a very toxic substance that can be life-threatening if processed incorrectly. Because of this characteristic, watermelon congee is also known as "unique congee".
Sausage is abundant in the highlands of Ha Giang, also known as saffron, deer, herring, etc. Fresh vegetables contain dangerous toxins, but through the processing of the H'Mong people, they have become many delicious dishes as well as valuable remedies to treat many diseases such as sedation, tendon dilation, and good sleep.
Initially, congee au tai was known as a refreshing dish of the H'Mong people. Gradually, this rustic congee has become a specialty that makes many diners from far away curious. Today, watermelon congee has been widely sold from the highland villages to the shops in Ha Giang city, attracting both local people and tourists from other regions.
Broth is cooked frombroth, rice, pork, eggs, vegetables, pigs... The process of cooking congee takes a lot of time, effort and the cook must also have experience and patience.
The cucumber must be cleaned by removing the skin and soaking the rice water overnight to soften. When cooked, the hot pot is simmered at high temperatures long enough to detoxify and smooth the canopy. Next, add the rice and bone broth to the hot pot to cook for another 2 - 3 hours, until the steamer is cooked, the congee can be scooped out to eat.
In addition to the ingredients that must be rice, hot pot and bone broth, today, diners can choose to eat more with eggs, minced pork, chicken breast, onions...
The cooked porridge will be thick and golden brown, when eaten, many people often add chicken eggs, add green onions, mixed with perilla and enjoy. The porridge has a rich and slightly bitter taste, similar to the taste of the buckwheat.
Another special feature of watermelon congee is that congee shops often sell congee all night until the next morning. Because congee will increase the effect, helping diners sleep better when eating at night. People who love to eat congee au Tau are often middle-aged, people from all over the world, tourists traveling long distances, night drivers...
A bowl of congee with hot pot at night will bring a warm belly and as well as a boost to replenish bones, helping to relieve fatigue.
Some places to eat watermelon congee in Ha Giang are Thanh Hoa (Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Tran Phu ward, Ha Giang city), Huong restaurant (QL2, Ha Giang city), Thuy Linh restaurant (Nguyen Viet Xuan street, Tran Phu ward, Ha Giang city); Thuy Linh restaurant Hoa The restaurant (QL4C, Meo Vac town) ...
