how Vietnamese cut fish

Experience watching Vietnamese fish preparation at Chok Trang Market

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I'll take you to experiencefish cutting in Vietnamthat I saw with my own eyes atChok Trang Market (Soc Trang Market)in a southern province of Vietnam. This is a lively morning market full of vibrant local people selling fresh seafood energetically, especially a wide variety of freshwater fish and seafood that are very interesting.

The market is not far from the Hao River in the heart of Soc Trang city. I arrived early morning as the market began to bustle with sellers, buyers, and locals preparing ingredients for daily meals. The scent of the sea and fish filled the air. I walked past zones selling freshwater fish, eels, and turtles swimming actively in plastic tanks. This place is a rare source of fresh seafood not commonly found in big cities.

Fish filleting techniques I observed from Vietnamese locals

One thing that impressed me greatly was the methodof Vietnamese fish filletingat this market, which is very different from what I've seen in my country. Locals here use large, very sharp knives skillfully to cut fish, especially big fish that require strength and precision to quickly and neatly slice into large pieces.

I stood watching the fish filleting several times and noticed they focus on speed and neatness, ensuring each piece is not overly broken. They also carefully separate fish by type and size so customers can choose according to their needs. This is the art and expertise accumulated over time by the Vietnamese people in this area.

Additionally, I observed sellers showcasing the freshness of fish by lifting them up to show customers the firmness of the flesh and freshness, which is very important in a fresh market like this because Vietnamese customers are very particular about fresh seafood.

Market atmosphere and travel

Getting to Chok Trang Market is not difficult. I traveled from my stop in Lang Son city, which I mentioned in an articleLang Son Province, VietnamThis city has a warm border town atmosphere with many local markets to stroll through. Visiting Chok Trang Market is a great experience to deepen understanding of southern Vietnamese lifestyle.

The morning market clearly separates dry goods and fresh food zones. In front of the market, there are shops selling sticky rice with roasted duck and snacks that I tried and really liked. The fragrant hot steamed sticky rice combined with spicy side dishes makes you want to enjoy Vietnamese food even more.

Choosing fresh fish and ingredients for cooking enthusiasts

For tourists or those who love cooking, this market is very suitable because it offers many types of fish, both freshwater and sea fish, including eels and turtles that are hard to find in big cities. I saw locals selecting fish still swimming in plastic tanks to ensure quality.

There is also Vietnamese fermented fish sauce (pla ra), an essential ingredient in many Vietnamese dishes. I have tried buying it for cooking; its strong and distinctive flavor is truly a unique charm of Vietnamese cuisine.

Summary of experience and additional recommendations

Seeing and experiencing fish preparation in Vietnam at Chok Trang Market helped me understand the mindset and care locals put into household ingredients. Vietnam is not only a country with beautiful nature and diverse culture but also has deep and fascinating culinary stories.

If anyone is interested in exploring Vietnamese food in depth, I recommend visiting a morning market like this. You will see the real local lifestyle and learn traditional fish preparation techniques not found in books or typical reviews.

For those interested in other tourist spots in Vietnam, I, mr.hotsia, recommend reading articles aboutNha Trang Seawhich has beautiful beaches perfect for relaxation, or if you like temples, try visitingBuddhist Temples in Da Latwhich offer a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views.

Finally, I would like to share a video I recorded while watching fish filleting at Chok Trang Market.how Vietnamese cut fishto show the real scenes and atmosphere I encountered on this trip.

Thank you for following my stories, mr.hotsia. See you again in the next Vietnam travel article!