Despite costing up to half a million VND per serving, goat testicles remain a sought-after delicacy in Vietnam. Believed to enhance kidney function and boost male vitality, the dish continues to attract eager customers.

A prized ingredient with supposed health benefits

In Vietnam, goat testicles - commonly known as ngọc dương dê - are not only a popular cooking ingredient but also a highly valued specialty. Many diners are willing to pay millions of VND to get their hands on this delicacy, convinced of its nutritional and medicinal properties.

According to traditional medicine, goat testicles are rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, making them a well-known ingredient for improving male stamina and vitality.

Why is it so expensive?

Nguyen Dung, the owner of a long-established goat restaurant in Ninh Binh, shared that not only is goat meat a popular dish, but goat testicles are also a bestseller, often selling out despite their high price.

According to Dung, the delicacy’s steep cost is due to its limited availability  each goat yields only one pair of testicles.

Prices range from $8 to $16 per portion, depending on size and supplier. However, goat testicles sourced from free-range mountain goats in Ninh Binh command even higher prices, sometimes exceeding $40 per portion, depending on the goat’s age.

"Goats raised in the mountainous areas of Ninh Binh are believed to produce the best goat testicles due to their natural diet, which includes a variety of medicinal herbs and leaves. These nutrients accumulate in their bodies, making their meat and organs particularly nutritious," Dung explained.

Versatile cooking methods

Dung also revealed that goat testicles can be prepared in multiple ways, including grilling, stir-frying, steaming, stewing with Chinese herbs, making hot pot, or even infusing them into medicinal liquor.

Among these, steamed goat testicles are the most popular choice, as they are easy to prepare while retaining their natural sweetness and tenderness.

Tung Lam, a Hanoi resident who once tried goat testicles stewed with medicinal herbs in Ninh Binh, described the dish as "chewy and flavorful, with a unique texture."

Impressed by the taste, he now regularly contacts local goat restaurants to place orders.

"Fresh goat testicles are limited in supply, so I often have to place orders weeks or even a month in advance to gather enough for a family or friends' gathering," Lam shared.

For home cooking, Lam usually prepares the dish as an herbal stew or stir-fried with lemongrass and chili.

He notes that cleaning goat testicles is relatively simple - just briefly roasting or flaming them to tighten the outer membrane, then rinsing them with rice wine or ginger water to remove any odor.

Afterward, the testicles are sliced into bite-sized pieces and cooked to preference.

To preserve their texture and flavor, goat testicles should only be cooked until just tender, making them an enjoyable dish for both men and women.

Thao Trinh