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From the Edicts of a Wise Ruler...
In the chronicles of the Nguyen Dynasty, there were summers with scorching, unbearable heat, but these were also a blessing from heaven, creating a bountiful harvest of "white gold." Before the large, pure white salt crystals with their clean, salty taste of the East Sea, Emperor Minh Mang once issued a decree:
"This year's salt harvest is bountiful, a blessing for our land. Let us use this precious resource to create a feast befitting its place on the royal table!"
Upon receiving the imperial decree, the Imperial Kitchen was enveloped in a tense silence. This was no ordinary cooking session, but a "battle of wits with nothingness." The chefs pondered: How to honor something that was originally just a backdrop? How to prevent the salty taste of the sea from overwhelming the diners, instead transforming it into a delicate caress? They silently observed the glistening salt crystals under the night lights, empathizing with the harshness of the sun and wind, seeking a way to "tame" them through the art of "fire transformation."
When the meal was served, Emperor Minh Mạng was speechless at the sight of the bowl of pristine white rice, as delicate as lotus petals, surrounded by plates of brightly colored salt.
Originating from Emperor Minh Mạng's decree honoring the "white gold" of the East Sea, Hue's royal salted rice has become a culinary masterpiece thanks to its sophisticated "fire-transforming" technique and refined philosophy of the five elements.
Salt is "nurtured" in earthenware pots over a low charcoal fire, refined to become gentle and elegant. Each patient pounding with a pestle transforms the salt into a fine powder, dissolving instantly upon contact with the tongue. Then, when the meal was served, Emperor Minh Mạng was speechless before the bowl of pristine white rice, like a lotus bud, surrounded by plates of brightly colored salt. The Emperor nodded and said, "This year's salt harvest is bountiful, but through your thoughtful care, it has become a masterpiece. This is truly a lotus flower of peace!"
A close-up view of a salted meal with a bowl of five-colored porridge made from Hẻo rằn rice, millet, sesame seeds, pandan leaves, and gac fruit rice, shimmering amidst plates of brightly colored salt.
...To the Hands of the Keepers of the Heritage Fire
Hundreds of years later, in a kitchen filled with the aroma of lemongrass and roasted salt, the story of that "peaceful lotus" continues to be written by artisan Ho Dac Thieu Anh – known as the guardian of the soul of "white gold." For her, the secret of this royal salted rice dish lies not in extravagance, but in respecting national produce. The artisan shared:"The ancients recounted that King Minh Mang, during a tour, was captivated by the taste of traditional salt. He elevated salt from a mere condiment to a delicacy. I continue that spirit, using mineral-rich salt to showcase the invaluable cultural value of something often considered inexpensive to diners from around the world."
Artisan Ho Dac Thieu Anh has poured all his heart and soul into inheriting the philosophy of the five elements from his ancestors.
To truly transform the salt grains, artisan Ho Dac Thieu Anh poured her heart and soul into the meticulous processing process. She preserved the "Nine Divine Salts" (shrimp salt, sesame salt, lemongrass salt, etc.) according to the philosophy of the five elements, while also creating additional types of herbal salts for health and wellness in the modern era. She selected Heo Ran rice from Hue, cooked in earthenware pots, and combined it with pure sea salt to create a balance of yin and yang, and hot and cold elements.
"Eating a grain of salt is a way of showing compassion for a lifetime of hard work."
The Philosophy Behind a Grain of Salt
For artisan Ho Dac Thieu Anh, each bowl of salted rice is more than just a meal to satisfy hunger. When she stops pounding the pestle, her eyes sparkle with unwavering faith: "Eating a grain of salt is to cherish the life of a hardworking and patient laborer. Through this five-colored rice dish, I want diners to touch the joy of a bountiful harvest for salt farmers, the artistry of our ancestors, and the depth of culture of the ancient capital."
The secret of the royal salted rice dish lies not in its extravagance, but in its reverence for national produce.
The Salt of Peace – the Salt of Peace and Prosperity – is now more than just a food item. It is a symbol of appreciation: appreciation for nature, appreciation for human effort, and appreciation for the enduring values of the Vietnamese people. From the royal court to the common people, the grain of salt has fulfilled its mission, becoming a thread connecting the past and the present, between local identity and international stature.
