" It's not just a fish ball. It's a masterpiece of texture. The perfect 'Chả Cá' must be bouncy enough to fight back when you bite it. "
📸 A bowl of ocean treasures: Fried fish cakes, jelly fish (optional), and fresh herbs.
1 The "Bounciness" Factor
If you've only had frozen fish balls from a supermarket, you haven't lived. Vietnamese Fish Cake (Chả Cá) is made fresh daily from mackerel or barracuda.
Fresh Fish
We scrape the meat from fresh fish. No fillers, no flour. Just pure protein.
The Slap
The meat is physically "slapped" or pounded until it becomes a sticky paste. This creates the springy texture.
Fried or Steamed
Fried for a golden, savory skin. Steamed for a pure, sweet taste. A good bowl has both.
2 Broth Secret: Fruits?
The Base
- Fish Bones: Simmered for hours to get that natural sweetness.
- Pineapple (Thơm): The secret weapon. It cuts the fishiness and adds a tropical tartness.
- Tomatoes: Adds color and a gentle umami flavor.
The Toppings
- Vermicelli Noodles: Small, soft white noodles (Bún).
- Chả Cá: Sliced into bite-sized diamonds.
- Fresh Herbs: Lettuce, basil, and shredded banana blossom.
Prefer something fried?
Soup too hot for today? Try our Wok-tossed Rice.
Dry, smoky, and equally delicious.
3 Cooking the Ocean
Simmer the Bones
Don't throw away fish heads or spines! Boil them with ginger and onions. Skim the foam religiously to keep the broth clear.
The Sweetness Hack
Add chunks of ripe pineapple and tomato wedges into the broth. This is what differentiates it from regular fish soup.
Prep the Cake
Mold your fish paste into patties. Deep fry until golden brown. Slice them into strips.
Assemble
Noodles first. Then fish cake. Pour boiling broth over it. Top with chopped scallions and cilantro.
Spice it Up! 🌶️
This broth is naturally sweet and light. To balance it, you must add a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of homemade chili satay (Sate). The contrast between the sweet broth and spicy oil is heaven.
RequiredBurning Questions
👃 Does it smell fishy?
🐟 Can I use canned tuna?
Back to Basics?
Fish is healthy, but sometimes you just want some carb-loaded comfort food with a smoky wok flavor.
🦀 Get the Fried Rice
