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Vietnam’s Top 5 Most Unusual Dishes: Challenge Your Taste Buds
Explore Vietnam’s most bizarre and exotic dishes with Vietnam Discovery Travel. From fermented pork rolls to coconut beetle larvae, these unique delicacies will challenge your palate. Dare to try these five must-try Vietnamese dishes that take you on a journey beyond the usual culinary experiences.
1. Nem Chua (Vietnamese Fermented Pork Rolls)
Nem Chua, a fermented pork delicacy, might seem unusual to foreign visitors, but it’s a beloved specialty across Vietnam. The dish is made from raw pork that undergoes a fermentation process with salt, sugar, garlic, and chili, giving it a unique combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Each region in Vietnam offers a slightly different take on this dish, but the core taste remains the same.
Locations to Try Nem Chua:
Thanh Hóa – Known as the birthplace of Nem Chua, Thanh Hóa offers some of the best Nem Chua in Vietnam.
- Location: Nem Thính Thanh Hóa, 25 Tran Phu Street, Thanh Hóa
- Price: Approximately 50,000 – 80,000 VND per portion
Hanoi – You can also find various street vendors and small shops across the Old Quarter offering Nem Chua.
- Location: Bún Nem Thịnh Hạnh, 33 Hàng Than Street, Hanoi
- Price: 60,000 VND per portion
Pricing:
Typically, a portion of Nem Chua costs between 40,000 – 80,000 VND, depending on the region and type (raw or fried).
2. Chân Gà Sả Ớt (Chicken Feet with Lemongrass and Chili)
Chicken feet marinated with lemongrass and chili is an all-time favorite snack among young people in Vietnam. This dish is popular not just for its flavors but also for how it’s served – a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer. The feet are boiled and then marinated with ingredients like kumquat, sugar, and chili, creating a tangy, spicy flavor that’s hard to resist.
Where to Find Chicken Feet in Vietnam:
Ho Chi Minh City – Famous for its street food culture, you can find this dish everywhere from casual eateries to upscale dining venues.
- Location: Chân Gà Sả Ớt Sài Gòn, 54 Nguyễn Huệ Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per portion
- Da Nang – Popular among tourists and locals alike, many street vendors in Da Nang offer this dish at affordable prices.
- Location: Gà Chân Quán, 105 Nguyễn Tri Phương Street, Da Nang
- Price: 40,000 VND per portion
Pricing:
You can enjoy a plate of chicken feet with lemongrass and chili for around 30,000 – 50,000 VND.
3. Tiết Canh (Blood Pudding)
A truly unique Vietnamese dish, Tiết Canh is made primarily from animal blood – typically pig or duck. The blood is mixed with saltwater to prevent coagulation, then garnished with organs like duck liver and intestines, along with roasted peanuts and fresh herbs. Served raw, it’s an acquired taste that can be hard to find outside of Vietnam.
Best Places to Try Blood Pudding:
Hanoi – You can find Tiết Canh in many traditional Vietnamese restaurants, though it’s not as widely available due to modern health regulations.
- Location: Nhà Hàng Tiết Canh, 22 Hang Bong Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Price: 100,000 VND per serving
Countryside Villages – Blood pudding is often more common in rural areas where the dish remains a cultural staple.
Price: 50,000 – 80,000 VND per portion
Pricing:
Expect to pay between 50,000 – 100,000 VND for a serving of Tiết Canh, depending on the location.
4. Sứa Đỏ (Red Jellyfish with Shrimp Paste)
Sứa Đỏ is a seasonal specialty found primarily in Hanoi during late spring and early summer. The dish consists of red jellyfish served with “mắm tôm” – fermented shrimp paste. While eating jellyfish may sound daunting, especially raw, it’s widely enjoyed by locals for its chewy texture and the strong, savory flavor of the shrimp paste.
Seasonal Availability & Locations:
Hanoi – Red jellyfish is typically available in street markets and small eateries from March to July.
- Location: Chợ Hàng Bè, Old Quarter, Hanoi
- Price: 60,000 – 100,000 VND per portion
Pricing:
A portion of Sứa Đỏ typically costs between 60,000 – 100,000 VND.
5. Đuông Dừa (Coconut Beetle Larva)
Đuông Dừa, also known as coconut beetle larva, is a daring delicacy from the Mekong Delta. The larvae are found in the trunks of coconut trees, and they’re eaten alive, often dipped in fish sauce. For many travelers, this is a “fear factor” dish, but for locals, it’s a delightful snack with a sweet, buttery taste.
Regions Where to Eat Coconut Beetle Larva:
Ben Tre Province – The heart of coconut farming, Ben Tre is where you’ll find the freshest coconut beetle larvae.
- Location: Nhà Hàng Đặc Sản Bến Tre, 45 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street, Ben Tre City
- Price: 150,000 – 200,000 VND per portion
Pricing:
Đuông Dừa is one of the pricier delicacies, with a portion costing around 150,000 – 200,000 VND.
6. Conclusion
If you’re ready to step out of your culinary comfort zone, Vietnam Discovery Tours can guide you through these strange yet fascinating dishes. Whether you’re daring enough to try live coconut beetle larvae or curious about blood pudding, our tours offer unforgettable food adventures across Vietnam. Contact us on WhatsApp to book your personalized Vietnam food tour and experience these extraordinary dishes firsthand.
