VN Foods perhaps Least Appealing to the Western Palate (or Psyche)

Hột Vịt Lộn kids and missus love them, I nearly throw up, same with Durian, however I do love crickets, crispy frog, meal worms and most of the shell fish/fish

Hột Vịt Lộn kids and missus love them, I nearly throw up, same with Durian, however I do love crickets, crispy frog, meal worms and most of the shell fish/fish
-@Andybris2020

@Andybris2020 I eat it all ... my system is this ... If the locals are eating, it must be OK

@Andybris2020 I eat it all ... my system is this ... If the locals are eating, it must be OK
-@Friday with Mateo

On an admittedly culturally-biased level, I cannot bring myself to eat thịt chó

(Fido)

@Aidan in HCMC

...or thịt mèo

(Fluffy)

@Aidan

6 really good dog resturants along rail track in Phu Nhuan

@Aidan
6 really good dog resturants along rail track in Phu Nhuan
-@Andybris2020

LOL

I can't. I'm afraid it's on the wrong side of the tracks for my G.I. tract

@Aidan in HCMC when you boil it down to "eat it or die" ... the outcome is decided ... but I get it

The strangest one I ever ate was tuna fish eyes in a sort of stew. I was in Phu Yen with my vietnamese girlfriend and the restaurant specialised in all sorts of unusual fishy things. It was a local delicacy apparently but I wouldn't be in a hurry to order it again.

If the meat industry was actually controlled, Im sure many people wouldnt care as much. There is no licensing, no health checks and stealing of pets is common. The industry will continue to thrive due to old thinking and not through necessity.

To date, the most unusual dish I have been offered is monitor lizard ... taste like chicken

I've actually started asking for mắm tôm when eating chả cá.

Very delicious here in Hà Nội yesterday evening.

I just don't breathe while eating it...

I've actually started asking for mắm tôm when eating chả cá.
Very delicious here in Hà Nội yesterday evening.

I just don't breathe while eating it...
-@OceanBeach92107

I'm constantly pleading with her to please, please bag it before putting it in the fridge.

Would save us a lot on the cost of baking soda deodorizer boxes.

But yeah, I like it too.

I regularly have an ostrich burger at the South African-run burger bar here in Vũng Tàu.

I used to get the crocodile burger, but everyone was afraid to try it, so he took it off the menu. I'd had croc meat when I lived in Thailand so I know it's pretty good.

As for VNese food, I eat some of the normal stuff  but overall it does little for me. Of course, most western food is way too fattening. Fortunately  we can get a lot of fresh fruit and veg here and just live off that and maybe some seafood.

I regularly have an ostrich burger at the South African-run burger bar here in Vũng Tàu.

I used to get the crocodile burger, but everyone was afraid to try it, so he took it off the menu. I'd had croc meat when I lived in Thailand so I know it's pretty good.
As for VNese food, I eat some of the normal stuff but overall it does little for me. Of course, most western food is way too fattening. Fortunately we can get a lot of fresh fruit and veg here and just live off that and maybe some seafood.


-@johnross23

Chicken and pork get a bit boring & most of the bbq places around here have croc, frog, clam, scollops, snail are all a bit different to the usual fair.

We also get a circular from the meat suppliers who have Australia/USA meats along with Emu, Ostrich, Roo, Goat and are a great meat for stews, curries, burgers. 

I love eating com chay. There was a great com chay just north of Ba Ria at the intersection oh AH 17 and Buddha alley road. She made all her food by hand. Great for your health.

@colinoscapee I was raised a vegetarian in the 50's. Vietnam is a chay heaven. I'll try most any eats once. Silk worms remains on the ONCE  list. That having been said, I'll eat fried crickets with both hands.

@Aidan in HCMC  Trứng lộn actually doesn't bother me. They're not my favorite by far but I enjoy eating them with my Vietnamese wife once in a while...and yes, sometimes I do find feathers.

Everything listed above falls under the "no good reason to eat this" list.  To me it seems most come from the background that necessity forces change and that years ago they had to eat what they could find or source, especially if they couldn't afford meat.  I can't imagine any of them being considered delicious.

If one looks at food as "medicine" vice "taste" ... as humans have done for millions of generations ... eating with a medical purpose is a whole different thing. It is only recently that common folks eat for pleasure ... and nowadays, "taste" drives food choices over medicinal value in food choices. Food as Medicine is a new emerging field in the medical world and I personally find it fascinating and very worthy of study. I follow Drs William Li, Eric Berg, and Jason Fung ... all brilliant in my view. There is an explosion of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and hypertension out there these days .... especially here in VN.  Used to be rare to see chubby children in Asia ... but nowadays, there are plenty of fats kids with diabetes or pre diabetes. Fast food, processed food and refined sugar products are the main culprits me thinks. #deliciouspoison

Nhộng. You can get 'em fried. You can get 'em boiled. You can get 'em battered, sauteed, b-b-q'ed.
Yes sirree. Nothing says VN food quite like chrysalis larvae. My first exposure to them was in Saigon. I was complaining about being hungry, when I muttered something like, "I have to get some grub to eat. I'm starving". Well, the young lady who was with me understood perfectly, so off to the market she dashed, only to return with.....grubs!
Oh, yummy!







-@Aidan in HCMC

I had Nhộng once on a trip to Mũi Né with a friend and her boss. The boss said they were good for men, which I interpretated as saying they were good for the libido, considering he was trying to get me hooked up with the friend.

@Aidan in HCMC

I realize cho and meo are still eaten, but how common is it? Is it just the older generation or do young VN continue eating them?

Roger

Everything listed above falls under the "no good reason to eat this" list. To me it seems most come from the background that necessity forces change and that years ago they had to eat what they could find or source, especially if they couldn't afford meat. I can't imagine any of them being considered delicious.
-@SteinNebraska

Being considered delicious is precisely why people continue to eat these dishes. But I agree on the initial necessity to eat them aspect (i.e. starvation). I would imagine the first person to eat some of these foods might have been, to say the least, hesitant , but after that first bite, well they told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on and so on and...

Then there's the medicinal and (supposed) physiological benefits, as mentioned by Mateo and Paulmsn respectively. Though there is certainly a correlation between diet and health, many of the physiological effects proferred by VN people attributed to the eating of these foods I find suspect, and personally consider it to be superstition. I have heard of local doctors prescribing cat meat to women to lessen the chances of scarring after an injury.

In any event, and whatever the reasons, the VN have a wide, varied, and sometimes perplexing bevy of items on their menu.

Edit;

Many of our western foods followed a similar path to our dining tables, all of which I believe were consumed initially by poorer people who could ill afford food being wasted. A couple of examples which spring to mind are;

Stilton/Blue cheese- Can you imagine how hungry the first person to take a bite, and then a second, of off such a pungent slice? Nowadays these and similar cheeses command a hefty price.

Cod tongues- Once discarded during the cleaning/filleting procedure, cod tongues are enjoyed by many N. Atlantic (and elesewhere?) peoples.

Hot Dogs- We eat them even though we know what's in them. Say no more.

Haggis- Authentic haggis (banned in the USA since the early 1970s) was a dish first eaten only by people of lower income. Seeing the offal being discarded for no other reason than the fact that people with money didn't want it led to the creation of an iconic (and tasty!) dish.

Lobster- I have relatives who have told me of their embarrassment when they were school age children, at their families not being able to afford bologna for them to bring to school in sandwiches. They were forced to bring lobster (cheap, or free c. 1930s)

Ox Tail- Thrown away once upon a time, now considered a delicasy. And not cheap.

Chitlin and grits- Yuuuummmmyyy. Poor folks food, and delicious!

@Aidan in HCMC
I realize cho and meo are still eaten, but how common is it? Is it just the older generation or do young VN continue eating them?
Roger
-@RTLisSB

I've been to a couple in Phu Nhuan along the railway near family members live, there are 6 cho resturants and they are usually pretty busy with all age groups, also next door to hotel we stayed in Tuy Hoa there was one as well with at least a dozen under 30's all sat eating and drinking.

Some countries eat horse, some eat cow, some eat seals, some eat decaying rotten fish, the rice mice that live in the rice fields are really nice and sweet meat and worth a try, crickets are a great beer snack, baby duck eggs you can keep, same with durian, but it's all worth a try once.

@Aidan in HCMC
I realize cho and meo are still eaten, but how common is it? Is it just the older generation or do young VN continue eating them?
Roger
-@RTLisSB

As Andy said, it is still a common sight, though much less so in the south than in the north. The banner above these restaurants often show a happy-go-lucky cat and dog in a dance pose with broad smiles.

Also much more common in the north is what Colinoscapee mentioned, ie. theft of peoples pets. In my 2+years there (T.P. Thai Nguyen) I lost 6 cats, and two dogs to poachers using baited traps for cats, and home-made tazers for dogs. Heartbreaking, for me anyway. Now, I said poachers, though they may have been B-B-Q'ers, stew pot cooks, or even grille cooks. (groan).

VN folk are acutely aware of how westerners, generally speaking, view consumption of dogs/cats. You'll find many will be hesitant to discuss the subject with you until they know you better. Conversely, should you bring the subject up before becoming well acquainted with them they may feel you are fishing, and offer only guarded answers. They'll feel uncomfortable.

@Aidan in HCMC Some years ago, when I was new to Vietnam, I was on a guided motorbike tour in Hanoi and we passed a market stall selling dogs as meat. I tried to have conversation about it but the tour leader wouldn't engage at all. Later when we were having lunch, my personal motorbike driver, a young woman in her twenties, snuggled up to me and said, "I don't eat dog, dog is my friend. "

@Malcolmleitrim I ate dog stew in downtown Seoul ... no big whoop .. taste like chicken ... had porcupine in Jomtien and monitor lizard down the street with some VN dudes ... ... and then there is this ... when you are hungry ... you will eat ANYTHING ... #true

@Friday with Mateo I agree, I will try anything once. It wasn't that I objected to the dog meat for sale, simply that the tour guide was not prepared to discuss it, obviously embarrassed and the young woman wanted to assure me that she would not eat dog.

Everything listed above falls under the "no good reason to eat this" list. To me it seems most come from the background that necessity forces change and that years ago they had to eat what they could find or source, especially if they couldn't afford meat. I can't imagine any of them being considered delicious.
-@SteinNebraska

I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread. Worst ever!  Ack!

Majority expats as they have revealed themselves today.

"While in Rome, do as the Romans".  "If it moves, eat it." 

To the few who haven't lost our sensibilities, Salud, Prost, a votre Santé, Kanpai, Cheers!

@Gobot

"I knew I shouldn't have opened this thread."

Did we all miss something?

Having lived and worked in 14+ countries around the globe ... I have had some pretty wild stuff in my mouth ... in Okinawa when I was serving in the US Marine Corps, I used to hang out at this super local yakitori joint ... one of my roomies was a part time chef there (Navy guy) ... anyhow ... they has the menu items on small wooden planks hanging on the wall ... all written in old-school kanji ... so I would just pick random planks and point to it ... without knowing what it was ... but never had anything bad to eat there ... the horse sashimi was amazing!

To the few who haven't lost our sensibilities, Salud, Prost, a votre Santé, Kanpai, Cheers!

-@gobot

Tell me, when drinking wine is it proper etiquette to let the box touch one's lips?

@Aidan in HCMC YES ... but only when both pinky fingers are flared when lifting the box to one's lips.

@Aidan in HCMC YES ... but only when both pinky fingers are flared when lifting the box to one's lips.
-@Friday with Mateo

Kind of like the pinky finger of the maitre d's left hand? Like that? I want to get it right.

And that diner looks incredibly impressed by the way the wine bottle is being strategically held, no? Staring with abject desire. Also, what's he digging for in his lap? A utensil?

From a news report today on VN Express:

" ... Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million. Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets sold to small, unregulated abattoirs, reports say.

Dog theft has become so common that many residents would turn themselves into vigilantes. There have been reports of dog thieves heavily beaten by angry mobs."

Three charged with murder for killing dog thief suspect with car

By Ngoc Oanh   September 10, 2022 | 10:00 pm PT

From a news report today on VN Express:

" ... Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million. Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets sold to small, unregulated abattoirs, reports say.

Dog theft has become so common that many residents would turn themselves into vigilantes. There have been reports of dog thieves heavily beaten by angry mobs."

Three charged with murder for killing dog thief suspect with car
By Ngoc Oanh September 10, 2022 | 10:00 pm PT
-@Friday with Mateo

"Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets ..."

I call BS on that VN Express line. There are no dog farms in VN. It costs money to raise the animal from pup to dog. Much cheaper to simply steal one.

Unlike in Thailand where every single Soi (hem/na'a/side-street) has its very own family/pack of dogs, I have never seen any free-range dogs in VN. The Thai dogs are fed regularly and cared for by the residents of each particular Soi. BTW, Thais do not eat dog, nor cat.

Which begs the question of where, precisely, do these dog/cat restaurants source their product?   Right.

Having lived up north in regions rich in thit cho for more than 2 years, this I can tell you with certitude. Being a dog thief pays well, very well by VN standards. Why is the pay good? For the exact reason you quoted, "...reports of dog thieves heavily beaten by angry mobs". Beaten, and worse, as noted.

Many of the small villages here have but one road running through it. If discovered, the thief is in danger of being trapped. A quick call to your cousin further along the road results in the road now being blocked by he and your other relatives (the cousin's neighbours!). The majority of small villages here are occupied by two or three families, numbering in the hundreds of people. All know each other, and due to family ties and proximity to each other, they have learned very well the art of group cooperation.

And yet the majority of these very same potential victims of dog theft will chow down on dog meat, knowing very well that in all likelihood they are consuming the remains of someone's pet. It is estimated that 80% of the VN population consume dog and cat meat.

Dog thieves are said to have one of the most dangerous jobs in VN. But hey, the pay's good.

From a news report today on VN Express:

" ... Vietnam consumes an estimated five million dogs a year, second only to China's 20 million. Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets sold to small, unregulated abattoirs, reports say.

Dog theft has become so common that many residents would turn themselves into vigilantes. There have been reports of dog thieves heavily beaten by angry mobs."

Three charged with murder for killing dog thief suspect with car
By Ngoc Oanh September 10, 2022 | 10:00 pm PT
-@Friday with Mateo

"Many dogs served at restaurants are stolen pets ..."
I call BS on that VN Express line. There are no dog farms in VN. It costs money to raise the animal from pup to dog. Much cheaper to simply steal one.
Unlike in Thailand where every single Soi (hem/na'a/side-street) has its very own family/pack of dogs, I have never seen any free-range dogs in VN. The Thai dogs are fed regularly and cared for by the residents of each particular Soi. BTW, Thais do not eat dog, nor cat.
Which begs the question of where, precisely, do these dog/cat restaurants source their product? Right.

Having lived up north in regions rich in thit cho for more than 2 years, this I can tell you with certitude. Being a dog thief pays well, very well by VN standards. Why is the pay good? For the exact reason you quoted, "...reports of dog thieves heavily beaten by angry mobs". Beaten, and worse, as noted.
Many of the small villages here have but one road running through it. If discovered, the thief is in danger of being trapped. A quick call to your cousin further along the road results in the road now being blocked by he and your other relatives (the cousin's neighbours!). The majority of small villages here are occupied by two or three families, numbering in the hundreds of people. All know each other, and due to family ties and proximity to each other, they have learned very well the art of group cooperation.

And yet the majority of these very same potential victims of dog theft will chow down on dog meat, knowing very well that in all likelihood they are consuming the remains of someone's pet. It is estimated that 80% of the VN population consume dog and cat meat.

Dog thieves are said to have one of the most dangerous jobs in VN. But hey, the pay's good.
-@Aidan in HCMC

Just wondering where you got the figure of 80%?

I have read numerous articles about this and most only quote around 10% eat dog/cat meat.

"https://vietnamnet.vn/en/most-vietnamese-want-ban-on-trade-of-dog-and-cat-meat-survey-811172.html"