Some of them are blood soup, coconut worms, frogs or tortoiseshell... However, once they overcome the initial fear and decide to try them, many foreign tourists quickly understand why these dishes are so loved by Vietnamese.

These dishes "at first glance are very scary, but you must try them when you come to Vietnam," South African food and travel writer Nikhita Rathod told Atlys.

Sharing about the dish sauteed frog thighs with garlic butter, she wrote: “In some places, you can’t go out for a late-night drink without having sautéed frog legs in garlic butter to sip on beer. Locals say that frog legs taste like chicken wings, or fish. You’ll see this if you try it”.

She also said that this is a dish that goes well with beer. In addition, she encourages international visitors when visiting Vietnam to try other dishes made from frogs such as curry, braised, soup or hot pot.

Talking about coconut worms, the South African writer said: “Putting a worm in the mouth is really not for the faint of heart. But this is a delicious dish and a specialty of Tra Vinh”.

Coconut worm is a famous dish in Vietnam, but in the eyes of foreigners, it is terrifying. The round, greasy coconut worms are crawling around in a bowl of chilli sauce, making those who taste it for the first time get goosebumps, not only for foreign tourists but even Vietnamese people.

Nikhita Rathod also mentioned "cha ruoi" (sand worm pancake). Worms are mollusks, shaped like earthworms, often living in salt or brackish water environments. It has a slightly “scary” appearance, but it is classified as a precious food with high nutritional content and delicious taste. 

In addition to giving a list of unique dishes in Vietnam, Rathod also gives comments on how the locals eat. “In Vietnam, eating is not eating fast, eating in a hurry. Eating meals from locals is really a comprehensive experience. They enjoy food and drink while chatting with friends.” Rathod also found that the locals’ casual gathering of friends is like a party and they won’t stop until they’re drunk. The best place to experience this is not in high-end restaurants but in street stalls.

Do An