BÚN ĐẬU MẮM TÔM - RICE NOODLE WITH SHRIMP PASTE SAUCE, FRIED TOFU AND PORK

Shrimp paste or “mắm tôm” is popular in many parts of Asia including Vietnam. As a matter of fact, “mắm tôm” or shrimp paste has long been in the list of “worst smelling foods in the world”.

Basically, “mắm tôm” is made from shrimps and salt. The typical aroma comes from an enzyme which is available in the intestine of shrimps. Actually, “mắm tôm” smells exactly like the smell of the mustard-colored stuff in shrimp heads.

The fermentation may take from six months to one year before mắm tôm can be served, normally with “nộm” sweet and sour grated “rau muống” water morning glory, “cà pháo” egg-plants, “thịt chó” dog meat and of course, “bún đậu mắm tôm”. You can surely guess, “bún đậu mắm tôm” includes noodles “bún”, tofu “đậu”, shrimp paste “mắm tôm” and, last but not least, odoriferous herbs “rau thơm”, which is optional but they will make the difference. “Rau thơm” can be basil “rau húng” or cockscomb mint “kinh giới”.