Out of nowhere, Con Nuốc (a type of jellyfish), previously popular only in central provinces, has become a highly sought-after specialty throughout the country. Many diners now call it 'Hue Sashimi.'**
Like other types of jellyfish, Con Nuốc is transparent, has long tentacles similar to squids, and is roughly the size of a lime. Nuốc is most commonly found in the brackish water bodies around Hue city. It is safe to eat, causing little irritation or food allergies, which may be the case with other jellyfish; it also has a minimal fishy smell.
People mostly enjoy Nuốc for its crunchy texture, as there is not a very distinct flavor beyond the typical saltiness. The most popular way of serving Nuốc is fresh, caught within the day, as its signature texture would be compromised by leaving it overnight. Due to its inherent saltiness, people typically enjoy Nuốc with an assortment of fresh herbs and sliced figs.
Nuốc, wrapped in fresh herbs and dipped in Mắm Ruốc Huế (a special type of fermented shrimp paste from Hue), leaves a long-lasting impression on diners lucky enough to try this Hue delicacy.
Nuốc has become popular nationwide, not only because of its taste, but also due to its vibrant blue color, which sparks the curiosity of young people in search of new culinary adventures. It has also become trendy thanks to viral videos on social media, which has played a vital role in the promotion of several other local delicacies in recent years.
** The city of Hue was the former capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty.