Vietnam has a long history of being a foodie’s paradise, offering a wide range of cuisines and delicacies. Nevertheless, some of the dishes sound terrifying and would be risky for any tourists to try. In this article, we will share with you the list of the ten craziest Vietnamese foods, which leave a lasting impression on travelers from all over the world.
1. The blood pudding (Tiet Canh)
In Vietnam, tiet soup is a well-known appetizer. There are many different forms of blood, but pig blood and duck blood are the most prevalent.
The gathering of animal blood is the first step in the creation of blood pudding. They then combine fresh blood with offal, chopped beef, and seasoning in a bowl, allow it to set into a jelly-like consistency, and serve. The eater will sprinkle some herbs and roasted peanuts on top of the frozen blood.
Rarely is this dish served anywhere else in the globe. The blood pudding is undoubtedly among the world’s scariest foods due to its peculiar preparation method and horrific appearance.
2. Balut (Duck embryo)
Eating a half formed duck may sound weird, but in many countries, including Vietnam, this meal is prized. Fertilized duck eggs are a favorite beer dish, appetizer, and snack. The interior contains a partially formed duck fetus and is significantly tougher than a typical boiled egg. Feathers may be visible, but they disappear in the mouth.
After being boiled for around 25 minutes, the fertilized egg is consumed while it is still warm. Juices are slurped when the top is cracked, and the insides are subsequently consumed with a spoon. Lemon and black pepper, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, raw garlic, and green chilies are all common condiments.
This strange Vietnamese dish’s yolk is characterized as being thick and creamy with a mild flavor.
3. Sá Sùng (peanut worms)
Peanut worms are among the spookiest foods in Vietnam. It has a similar appearance to other worms, but it is much larger and has a sand-dominated interior. Most often, they occupy large underground caverns.
These worms can be eaten in Vietnam. They can either be salted with chili peppers before grilling and then seasoned with lime juice and chili salt. This meal is frequently used as a snack in restaurants and occasionally beer is also offered with it. Sa Sung has a unique, mouthwatering flavor and is crunchy, soft but somewhat chewy.
Even if this dish is described as exquisite, it is nevertheless difficult for any tourists to try it.
4. The coconut beetle-larva
This is a West Vietnam specialty. These larvae are extremely clean and nutrient-rich since they inhabit and consume the trunks of coconut palms. Many people are terrified when they first encounter the coconut worm because of its velvety, white body.
Live coconut worms are added to a bowl of fish sauce before eating this dish. The sight of the thumb-sized worms crawling in the dish is the most terrifying part. It must be interesting to feel like one has fat, wriggling coconut weevils in one’s mouth and throat.
5. Fried white cricket
Vietnamese people enjoy eating white crickets that have been deep-fried, accompanied with beer or wine in family meetings.
The flavor of the cricket is comparable to that of shrimp and crab. Additionally, it is thought that white crickets can treat rheumatism, obesity, and discomfort. The legs of the white cricket are white and much more delectable than those of other kinds. Along with chopped pork and lemon leaves, this meal is also presented.
6. Dog Meat
Vietnamese people enjoy eating meals with dog meat. They provide foods like grilled dog meat, dog sausage, and boiled dog flesh, to name a few. Many tourists, especially those who keep dogs as devoted pets at home, find this frightening food in Vietnam. “What is meat to one man is poison to another.” The aforementioned foods may seem spooky and unsettling to strangers, but they are considered delicacies in the area.
7. Ocean tuna eyes
Even though tuna might appear pointless, it is a Phu Yen specialty that every traveler desires to try once. Since tunas often weigh between 40 and 50 kg, their eyeballs are the size of a tennis ball. For many people, it would be a “nightmare” to have a huge eyeball looking at them.
Fisheye stew with herbs is the finest way to enjoy it. The dish will taste less fishy thanks to the unique aroma of the herbs. Additionally, this meal is rich in DHA and omega 3, both of which are beneficial for the brain and vision.
8. Tadpoles braised (nòng nọc om măng)
This meal is typical of the province of Thanh Hoa. Tadpoles, which are around the size of a thumb, are the dish’s main component.
When you first try this food, you might feel a little repulsed. However, if you dare to try it, you’ll find the flavor to be really alluring. Tadpoles and soft, sweet, and slightly bitter bamboo shoots will produce a unique flavor when paired with “1-0-2.”
9. Snake Dish
Vietnam boasts a great variety of reptiles, notably snakes, due to its tropical climate. However, only the Chinese cobra, Banded krait, and Chinese snake are snakes consumed in Vietnam.
Many Westerners find it rather terrifying to imagine the chief slaying the snake with a knife. Additionally, the wine’s flavor and the snake’s blood stench put off many foreigners who would otherwise be interested in trying this dish.
10. Nam Pia
Tourists find this dish to be rather frightful in the Northwest region of Vietnam. Nam Pia is a viscous liquid found in a herbivore’s small intestine.
Because it originates from the Northwest, “macadamia” (mắc khén) is an indispensable spice. This spice will help eliminate the odor of the pịa. In addition, other types of intestines such as liver, stomach, lungs … of goats, cows are also added to this dish. In addition, the gallbladder used will give this dish a slight bitterness.
This article has so far covered the most bizarre meals found in Vietnam, a nation known for its wide variety of cuisine. Let’s test the limits of your courage by trying one of the above dishes; perhaps you’ll discover the hidden savory.
