VietNamNet Bridge – Bat (doi) meat is often made into gourmet dishes since it is rare. In Soc Trang, down in the Mekong Delta, bats have become a local identity as they can be found in great numbers. Around the Doi Pagoda, the tall ancient trees are a natural habitat of thousands of bats.

Bat meat fried in fish sauce.

On the gastronomic side, their meat makes local cuisine distinctive. Many food connoisseurs who have been captivated by the now famous bat porridge should not miss a new bat delicacy in Bac Lieu Province, 60km from Soc Trang. That is bat meat fried in fish sauce.

It is quick and simple to prepare the dish. The little fruit bat, as small as a sparrow, is processed and cut into four pieces. After a quick fry in hot oil, the pieces are dipped into ngao, a sauce made of fish sauce with sugar, fried and fresh onion, and spices. The marinated meat is finally fried in hot oil once again and then served with sliced tomato and cucumber.

The crispy bat meat is fully flavored with layers of Vietnamese spices. Adding salt and pepper is also recommended to make the bite more tasteful. The fried pieces of bat meat are small and crunchy so the bones are chewable.

Bat meat fried in fish sauce is delicious and exotic, so it is a must-try for food enthusiasts travelling to Bac Lieu. A plate for two persons goes for VND80,000.

Source: SGT