Tiny fish, excessive dietary worth: A present from the rivers of the West
Anchovy, also called anchovy, has a small physique, solely about 3 centimeters lengthy, silvery white colour, clear meat. The excellent options of this fish are its white stomach like rice grains, massive black eyes, serving to the fish observe properly when swimming.

In Vietnam, anchovies are present in abundance within the Vam Nao River, Tien River, Hau River, and many others. Any such fish is exploited from the 4th to the eighth lunar month yearly. Photograph: Nhu Y
Anchovies have small heads, protruding mouths, skinny spherical scales that fall off simply, and dwell primarily in massive colleges in rivers and canals within the Mekong Delta.
In Vietnam, anchovies are present in abundance within the Vam Nao River, Tien River, Hau River, and many others. and are exploited from April to August of the lunar calendar yearly. Any such fish is well caught with thick and lengthy nets, typically dwelling in massive colleges of as much as 1000’s of people, making a vibrant scene on the riverbed.
Anchovies could be processed into many scrumptious dishes, appropriate for many individuals’s tastes akin to:
Candy and bitter braised fish: Fish is braised with fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar, making a scrumptious candy and bitter taste, served with white rice.
Braised with scallion oil: A easy however flavorful dish with braised anchovies and scallion oil, making a wealthy, aromatic taste that appeals to each adults and kids.

Anchovies are processed into many eye-catching dishes that go properly with rice. Photograph: Hue Presents.
Crispy fried: Crispy fried anchovies, served with candy and bitter fish sauce or chili sauce. When consuming, you possibly can really feel the crispy, candy style of the fish, very appropriate for mild events or as a snack.
Mango salad: Anchovy mixed with inexperienced mango, herbs, roasted peanuts, creates a crunchy, bitter, candy mango salad, a pretty appetizer.
Bitter soup: Anchovies cooked in bitter soup with tomatoes, pineapple, bean sprouts, and herbs, making a refreshing, candy and bitter soup, very appropriate for decent summer time days.
Anchovy – From standard dish to export specialty
Anchovies aren’t solely scrumptious but additionally wealthy in dietary worth. In response to specialists, such a fish comprises excessive ranges of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and joints, making it appropriate for youngsters and the aged. Anchovies are additionally wealthy in protein, omega-3, nutritional vitamins and minerals, which assist enhance cardiovascular well being, help mind operate, and strengthen the immune system. The fish meat is comfortable, has no onerous bones, is simple to digest and could be pureed, making it appropriate for younger kids.

Anchovies have excessive calcium content material, excellent for the aged and kids. Photograph: Nghe An Seafood.
Anchovies comprise excessive ranges of calcium, which helps enhance bone and tooth well being, stop osteoporosis, and is particularly good for rising kids and the aged.
Doctor Vu Quoc Trung, a member of the Vietnam Oriental Drugs Affiliation, stated that anchovies are one of many fish with excessive calcium content material, surpassing many different kinds of fish. “With ample calcium, anchovies are excellent for bone growth, particularly appropriate for rising kids and the aged who want calcium dietary supplements to forestall osteoporosis,” doctor Trung shared.
Anchovies are wealthy in omega-3 fatty acids, which assist cut back unhealthy ldl cholesterol within the blood, shield the center, and cut back the chance of cardiovascular ailments.
Because of its vitamin A and eye-healthy vitamins, consuming anchovies will help enhance eyesight and shield eyes from age-related ailments.
Doctor Bui Hong Minh, Chairman of the Ba Dinh Oriental Drugs Affiliation, additionally extremely appreciated the function of anchovies in defending the eyes. He shared: “The nutritional vitamins and vitamins in anchovies, particularly vitamin A, are excellent for the eyes, serving to to scale back the chance of macular degeneration and enhance eyesight.”

Anchovies not solely convey financial worth to folks dwelling in river areas but additionally contribute to enriching the nation’s delicacies.
Anchovies are wealthy in protein, vitamin B12 and minerals akin to iron and zinc, which assist strengthen the immune system and help the physique in combating infections.
// With its comfortable, simply digestible meat texture, anchovies are a good selection for folks with delicate digestive programs, the aged, and kids. The excessive omega-3 content material in anchovies can also be useful for mind well being, serving to to enhance reminiscence, enhance focus, and cut back the chance of ailments associated to cognitive decline.
A seafood dealer in An Giang shared: “Anchovy is at the moment highly regarded, particularly amongst vacationers and export markets akin to Taiwan and South Korea. The value of anchovy ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/kg, a lot larger than different kinds of fish.”

With its scrumptious style and excessive dietary worth, anchovies are more and more asserting their place on the eating desk not solely domestically but additionally in worldwide markets. Photograph: Khanh Hoa specialties
Immediately, anchovies have surpassed the boundaries of a typical dish to turn out to be a sought-after specialty. Not solely is it a well-recognized dish within the every day meals of individuals within the West, anchovies are additionally used as significant presents, displaying respect for the hometown specialty. With its scrumptious style and excessive dietary worth, anchovies are more and more asserting their place on the eating desk not solely domestically but additionally in worldwide markets.