Rau Dớn – A Folk Gift from the Mountains of Xuân Sơn

Those who have visited the Xuân Sơn National Park, in addition to relishing local specialties like multi-spur chicken, wild duck, and mountainous fish, will find it hard to forget the taste of a unique wild vegetable with a distinctive name: rau dơn.

Rau dơn is a gift from the mountainous forests, belonging to the amaranth family. It resembles water spinach but with a thicker stem and broader leaves, vibrant green and luscious. For the Muong and Dao ethnic communities living in the Xuân Sơn National Park, this is a familiar dish on their daily dining tables. Moreover, they use this type of vegetable as a folk remedy for common ailments such as colds, coughs, and sore throats.

After returning from the forest, where they gather firewood and medicinal leaves, the locals do not forget to pick the fresh, tender shoots of rau dơn sprouting along the streambanks. The rich, moist soil of the ancient forest, nourished by clear streams, contributes to the succulence of this vegetable. For the people of the Muong and Dao tribes, this is a staple in their everyday meals. Additionally, they consider it a medicinal herb for treating common illnesses.

After being harvested, the rau dơn is sun-dried to enhance its crispiness. It is then rinsed thoroughly and briefly blanched in boiling water before being lifted out to drain. Adding a few cloves of garlic to a hot wok, the rau dơn is quickly stir-fried for about 5 minutes, then taken out to season with sugar, seasoning powder, finely chopped chili, fresh lime juice, and crushed roasted peanuts. Mixing these ingredients thoroughly, the dish is served, providing a combination of crunchiness, sweetness, sourness, and spiciness – all infused with the faint scent of the forest.

For those who venture to Xuân Sơn National Park, beyond exploring waterfalls, streams, and villages, savoring the local specialties is a way to understand the culinary and cultural life of the ethnic communities. Among these, the wild and flavorful rau dơn has left a lasting impression on many travelers, blending the sweetness of the countryside with the aromas of the forest, creating a harmonious and memorable experience.