Ocean Tuna & Hòa Đa Rice Paper: Traditional Phú Yên Specialty

"A delicate fusion of fresh ocean tuna from Phú Yên's seas and the chewy, smooth Hòa Đa rice paper from the famous village – an irresistible roll representing the local Nẫu cuisine."

Hòa Đa Rice Paper Village in Phú Yên is renowned for its meticulous handmade production process, creating the perfect wrapper especially when paired with fresh ocean tuna. From local rice ingredients to skillful sun-drying techniques, this specialty embodies Vietnamese culinary culture and is beloved by tourists and overseas Vietnamese.

The Hòa Đa Rice Paper Village is located in Hòa Đa hamlet, An Mỹ commune, Tuy An district, Phú Yên province, about 15km north of Tuy Hòa town. With over 200 households engaged in traditional production, the village supplies both domestic and international markets. This is the birthplace of the famous rice paper, ideal for wrapping with fresh ocean tuna – the signature seafood of Phú Yên's coastal waters, making it an essential specialty in any local culinary journey.

The core ingredient of Hòa Đa rice paper is fresh rice from Tuy An district. This rice cooks a bit dry as rice but yields excellent chewiness for rice paper. Artisans carefully select unspoiled grains, sieve out pests, soak for 3-4 hours, grind into flour, and knead to remove sour water while enhancing stickiness. When mixing the batter, each workshop adds its unique spices like sugar or salt, creating a distinctive flavor unmatched elsewhere.

The production process requires great skill and seamless coordination. The batter is spread on a boiling water pot with stretched cloth mold, scooped evenly with a ladle to make thin, round sheets. Young men in the village stoke the fire and prepare bamboo trays. The most challenging step is lifting the wet sheets onto the trays, demanding experience to prevent tearing or folding.

After spreading, the rice papers are carefully sun-dried outdoors to achieve perfect dryness while retaining smoothness, softness, and chewiness. Not over-dried to avoid shrinking or breaking, the sheets will naturally release from the trays. The result is opaque white, chewy, delicious rice papers that are not sour, easy to roll without sticking or tearing – the secret behind Hòa Đa's renowned specialty.

Hòa Đa rice paper truly shines when wrapped with steamed or boiled ocean tuna served hot, accompanied by fresh herbs and dipped in rich fish sauce or fermented shrimp paste. The chewy crispness of the paper blends perfectly with the firm, sweet, and refreshing tuna meat, creating a 'perfect match' roll. Visitors can grill the paper to enjoy with tuna salad or any seafood, offering a rich and unforgettable Phú Yên culinary experience.

Beyond a cooking ingredient, Hòa Đa rice paper is a meaningful rustic gift, carefully packaged and given to loved ones or sent to children studying far away to ease homesickness. Tourists should visit the village in Tuy An directly for the freshest products or check specialty stores in Phú Yên. It's the perfect way to bring home the flavors of the sea and traditional village craftsmanship.