Cua Tung Herring Salad – A Delicious Dish Carrying the Soul of Quang Tri's Sea

Cua Tung, located in Vinh Linh district (Quang Tri), about 30 km from the center of Dong Ha, has long been famous as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Central region. With fine white sand, crystal-clear blue water, and a peaceful landscape, it was once affectionately called “Queen of Beaches” by the French. Not only attractive due to its natural beauty, Cua Tung is also a sea rich in seafood resources, closely tied to the livelihood of local fishermen for generations.

Right on the beach is Cua Tung fish market – a place that comes alive every morning with returning boats and fresh catches brought up from the depths of the sea. Among them, herring is a favorite among diners thanks to its firm flesh, natural sweetness, and absolute freshness. During the herring season, especially around February to March in the lunar calendar, the sea of Cua Tung becomes livelier than ever as fishing boats continuously bring back an abundant catch.

From those fresh ingredients, the local people created the Cua Tung herring salad with its very own distinct flavor. Without complex preparation, the dish retains the full sweetness of the sea fish, blending harmoniously with fresh herbs, local aromatic greens, and a rich dipping sauce. Unlike many herring salad versions in other coastal regions, Cua Tung herring salad bears the signature traits of Quang Tri cuisine: refreshing, harmonious in sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, and deeply infused with the breath of the hometown sea.

What makes Cua Tung herring salad so appealing lies not only in the freshness of the sea fish, but also in the harmony of combining ingredients and the skillful preparation technique of the coastal people. From the freshly landed herring to the rich bowl of dipping sauce, everything contributes to creating a dish deeply imbued with Quang Tri cuisine.

Main ingredients (for 4 people):

• 500g fresh herring (preferably freshly caught).
• 3 – 4 limes or kumquats for juice.
• 1 – 2 thinly sliced onions.
• Aromatic herbs such as Vietnamese coriander, Thai basil, saw-tooth coriander, fish mint...
• Crushed roasted peanuts, fried shallots, grated coconut (to taste).
• Seasonings including garlic, chili, ginger, quality fish sauce, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• Served with rice paper, sour starfruit, green banana, and fresh vegetables.

Preparation method:

Step 1: Preparing the fish
The herring is cleaned, descaled, eviscerated, and then filleted or thinly sliced along the bone grain. Next, soak the fish in lime juice with a little salt or minced ginger for about 5 – 10 minutes to remove fishy odors and lightly cure the fish naturally. When ready, the fish meat will turn opaque white and slightly firm.

Step 2: Mixing the salad
Drain the fish well, then toss with onions that have been soaked in cold water to reduce pungency. Next, add herbs, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and minced garlic and chili to the mixture. Season with fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice to taste, creating a balanced flavor of sweet fish, refreshing sourness, and a characteristic mild spiciness.

Step 3: Making the dipping sauce
The dipping sauce is the soul of the dish. Pure fish sauce is mixed with sour tamarind or lime, combined with sugar, minced garlic, and chili. The final sauce should achieve a perfect balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors with a light consistency.

When completed, the plate of herring salad impresses with its harmonious and appetizing colors: the white of the fish meat, the fresh green of the herbs, the nutty yellow of roasted peanuts, and red accents of chili slices.

For the best flavor, the top essential factor is the freshness of the fish. Avoid soaking the fish in lime juice for too long, as it will make the meat tough. The salad should be enjoyed immediately after mixing to retain its crispness, natural sweetness, and signature freshness.

Enjoying Cua Tung herring salad properly is an unmissable experience when exploring Quang Tri's coastal cuisine. The most popular way to eat it is wrapped in rice paper. Diners place the fish salad on rice paper, add fresh greens, sour starfruit, or green banana, roll it neatly, and dip it into the rich dipping sauce. The natural sweetness of fresh herring blends with the mild sourness of starfruit, the subtle astringency of green banana, the aroma of fresh herbs, and the crunchy nuttiness of roasted peanuts, creating a harmonious, mouth-watering, and unforgettable dish.

Herring salad is often served as an appetizer or main dish in seafood feasts. To fully experience the flavor of the sea, diners can pair it with local specialties such as sun-dried squid, grilled lobster, grouper porridge, or fresh sea snail dishes prepared in various styles.

If you are planning a trip to Quang Tri and want to taste authentic Cua Tung herring salad, here are some famous addresses you should not miss:

Quang Cuu Seafood

• Address: Cua Tung Beach, Vinh Linh, Quang Tri
• Highlights: Located right by the sea with an open space, serving delicious fresh fish salad made with same-day catches.
• Price reference: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/portion.

Sky Garden Cua Tung Restaurant

• Address: An Hoa, Vinh Linh
• Highlights: Specializes in seafood dishes, where Cua Tung fish salad is elaborately prepared and beautifully presented.
• Price reference: 150,000 – 250,000 VND/portion.

Nguoc Nang Restaurant 

• Address: Vinh Quang, Vinh Linh
• Highlights: Small but cozy restaurant, famous for fresh herring salad and traditional family-recipe dipping sauce.
• Price reference: 80,000 – 150,000 VND/portion.

Note: Cua Tung fish salad is best enjoyed on the spot with fresh ingredients. If you wish to buy it as a gift, some eateries can pack the salad along with dipping sauce for a few hours of preservation.

Compared to other famous fish salads like Phu Quoc herring salad or Phan Thiet deepbody herring salad, Cua Tung fish salad stands out for its simplicity yet rich flavor. While Phu Quoc herring salad is known for shredded coconut and rose myrtle wine, Cua Tung herring salad impresses with the fiery kick of chili and the extreme freshness of freshly caught fish. This is what creates the dish's allure, making it unforgettable for visitors even after just one bite.

Cua Tung fish salad is not just a dish, but a journey taking you closer to the culture and people of Quang Tri. From fresh fish caught directly from the sea to the skillful hands of the chef, this salad stands as proof of nature's bounty and the warm hospitality of the locals. If you have the chance to visit Quang Tri, don't forget to drop by Cua Tung beach, sit along the shore, enjoy a delicious plate of fish salad, and let the flavors of the ocean blend into every single bite.