Trying Vietnam’s so-called “blushing” dish for the first time, two Korean guests were amazed by its rich flavor and lack of any strong odor - calling it the best meat they’ve ever tasted.

Korean reality show stars explore Vietnam’s goat meat delicacies

Battle Trip, a popular South Korean travel reality show, takes celebrities on food and culture adventures across Asia, including Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam.

In a recent episode filmed in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh, actor Park Jun Gyu and Sandeul, a member of the K-pop group B1A4, visited a restaurant specializing in goat meat dishes.

"People say goat meat in Vietnam is delicious, so let’s try it today," Park Jun Gyu suggested to Sandeul.

The duo visited a well-known goat restaurant on Kenh Liem Street, Ha Long City, where they tried two dishes:

Rare goat with lime (VND 125,000 per serving, $5)
Grilled goat udder (VND 105,000 per serving, $4.20)

A surprising new taste experience

As soon as they tasted the rare goat with lime, both celebrities were surprised.

"I’ve never had anything like this in Korea," Sandeul said, impressed by its unique flavor.

Next, they moved on to grilled goat udder - the highlight of the meal.

When the raw goat udder was brought to the table, the two were surprised by its light pink color and delicate texture.

"It smells like beef heart, which means it’ll be soft, not tough," Park Jun Gyu predicted.

After grilling the dish to perfection, he dipped a piece into salt, pepper, and lime juice before taking a bite.

"This is delicious!" he exclaimed. "I’ve had goat stew in Korea, but this tastes completely different - like a premium cut of meat."

A texture like no other

Sandeul wrapped his grilled goat udder in rice paper with fresh vermicelli and dipped it in sauce.

"It’s soft but still crispy. I thought it would be dry, but it’s incredibly juicy!" he said.

Encouraged by Jun Gyu, he tried a plain bite with salt and lime juice to experience the dish’s full flavor.

"This is incredible!" Sandeul said in amazement.

Better than any meat they’ve ever eaten

The two stars agreed that grilled goat udder was the best meat they had ever tasted.

"In Korea, goat meat is often heavily seasoned to remove any gamey odor," Park Jun Gyu explained. "But here, it doesn’t have any unpleasant smell."

He described the taste as "richer than beef brisket and more flavorful than pork collar", with a slightly chewy but juicy texture.

Sandeul nodded in agreement: "This is the most delicious meat I’ve ever eaten."

The secret behind Vietnam’s grilled goat udder

According to Nguyen Dung, owner of a famous goat restaurant in Ninh Binh, goat udder - also known as be sua (goat breast) or vu de (goat teats - is a sought-after delicacy.

Unlike regular goat meat, goat udder is sourced from female goats, making it rare and highly valued.

"Since female goats are mainly kept for breeding, their meat is less commonly used for cooking," Dung explained.

To remove any strong odor, chefs use ginger, lemongrass, or chili paste for marination, but only lightly - ensuring the meat retains its natural crispiness and juicy texture when grilled.

"Grilled goat udder is best enjoyed with fermented tofu sauce (chao) or salt, pepper, and lime," Dung added.

The dish is a specialty not only in Ninh Binh, where goat meat is famous, but also in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Quang Ninh, where it has become a favorite among food lovers.

Thao Trinh