Chả cá Lã Vọng

Chả cá Lã Vọng is a traditional dish originating from Hanoi. It consists of grilled fish with turmeric and dill. In order to prepare it, firm white fish such as catfish, cod, or tilapia is usually marinated in shallots, galangal, turmeric, garlic, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and oil. It is then grilled on both sides with dill and spring onions and served with vermicelli noodles, roasted peanuts, and a dipping sauce consisting of lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar. This dish dates back to the French Indochina days of Vietnam, and the resistance fighters used to meet in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Their secret meeting place served grilled fish (chả cá), and outside of the establishment, there was a statue of Lã Vọng, a famous poet and resistance fighter, hence the name of the dish.