These days, along the beaches of Da Nang City, ceremonial snails (also known as ruoc snails, rice snails), are starting to appear in abundance, signaling the familiar snail season of coastal fishermen.
Although they are small snails, each snail season brings a significant income to many people making a living along the coast.
According to local fishermen, the snail festival season usually lasts from about January to March of the lunar calendar. At this time, when the water is favorable, many people are busy going to the beach from early morning to rake snails. The work usually starts when the sky is still foggy and lasts until near noon, depending on the water level.
Mr. Tran Thanh Hai (Son Tra ward, Da Nang city), a fisherman with many years of snail digging on My Khe beach, said that the snail digging profession is simple but requires endurance and perseverance.
Snagglers use a pole made of bamboo, wood or stainless steel, with iron rakes attached underneath and a net to collect snails. When raking, fishermen often go backwards, pulling poles on the sand underwater. When they feel their hands are heavy, they stop to shake sand and trash to keep the tiny snails.
“The ceremonial snails are small, so they have to be raked continuously, working for many hours to get a little. But in season, it is enough to cover daily living expenses. Raw snails usually cost about 30,000 VND/can, while boiled or stir-fried snails with spices can cost from 40,000 - 50,000 VND/can,” Mr. Hai shared.
And at markets in Da Nang such as Con market, Hoa Cuong market, Hoa Khanh market, trays of worshiping snails are sold at many different prices. The price of stir-fried worshiping snails ranges from about 30,000 to 70,000 VND per can depending on the type.
According to the seller, ceremonial snails are caught in two main ways: ground grazing and boat grazing. Ground grazing is usually done near the shore, fishermen use their hands to pull poles directly on the sandy beach. Meanwhile, boat grazing uses motorboats to fish in deeper water areas.
Mr. Tran Van Huong, a snail seller on Han Mac Tu street (Da Nang City), said that the difference in how to catch snails greatly affects the quality of snails. According to Mr. Huong, ground snails are often preferred by buyers.
Snails from boats often go on long trips, boats run strongly, so sand easily gets into the snail shell, and the snail's strength is also weaker. Therefore, when boiled, it is easy to get sandy, and the meat is blander than with ground snails," Mr. Huong said.
Although enjoying ceremonial snails requires patience when carefully picking each small snail, this dish still has its own appeal. For many people, eating ceremonial snails is not only enjoying the flavor but also a leisurely enjoyment, both picking snails and chatting animatedly with friends.
It is this simplicity and characteristic experience that makes ốc lễ a familiar dish for many people and tourists when coming to Da Nang.
