Bustling grilled fish in Quynh beach

From the fresh caught fish, people in Quynh Luu coastal village have many ways of preliminary processing to preserve and increase value, including grilling fish.

Around the time from February to October of the lunar calendar, Quynh Luu fish grilling households work continuously because this time the fish is in season. Every time the ship docks, people buy tons of fish of all kinds to freeze and then bake to sell gradually throughout the year. These markets are located close to the marina, the gathering point for boats returning from each trip to the sea. Returned fish are preliminarily processed to remove the intestines, scrape off the scales, cut off the tail ends and unnecessary parts. Then rinse several times with water to remove dirt. People got up early to catch the boat and choose the freshest fish. For small fish such as grouper, herring, catfish, etc., leave whole. As for large fish such as birds, mackerel, scad, … are often slit on one side of the body or cut into thin pieces to cook faster. Fish are arranged on the iron grid to prepare for grilling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan from Tien Thuy commune said: “Fresh grilled fish will be delicious and preserved for a long time when transported, but the price is often twice as high as when it has not been processed. A batch of fish is grilled on a charcoal grill for a period of 10-15 minutes. Besides, the charcoal must be continuously red, so that the grilled fish still retains its freshness, aroma and sweetness. If the coal is simmered, the ashes of many fish will take longer to cook and do not retain their inherent sweetness. Experience in order to have a catch of freshly cooked fish that still retains its fresh and delicious taste. Among grilled fish, mackerel is the most valuable specialty today (250,000 – 270,000 VND/kg). Grilled fish is put on a tray for traders to import fish to the market to sell, the rest will be packed and transported to the southern provinces for consumption, with a volume of tons of fish per day. Currently, grilled orange fish is priced at 70,000 – 80,000 VND/kg; Spotted fish, tilapia are priced at 60,000 VND/kg; Grilled herring costs 35,000 VND/kg. Quynh Luu currently has nearly 50 households doing grilled fish, with more than 100 workers concentrated in the communes of Quynh Nghia, Tien Thuy, Quynh Tho, Son Hai… From baking fish, each household has an income of about 3 – 4 million VND/day, of which hired workers are paid 150,000 – 200.000 VND/person/day. On average, people earn tens of millions of dong per month.