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Re: Vietnam - HCM
Mollusk buffet
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They may look and smell funny and, to some, they’re unpleasant. But cooked and eaten the right way, they taste great.
It takes little effort to spot fans of mollusk– snail, clam, shellfish and the kind – in Vietnam.
Little street stalls selling the delicacy, many of them mobile on tricycles, can be seen in the evenings.
Snails are, however, not all that exotic. The French call them escargots. But while they prefer land snails, the Vietnamese like their mollusks caught in the water.
There is a dizzying variety of snails the Vietnamese eat – oc buou, oc mo, oc len, oc dua, oc nhay, oc hut, oc gao. Women like to eat them as a snack while men love to chomp on them between shots of booze.
The most popular dish, also the easiest to cook, is boiled mollusk.
But there are plenty of others on offer – stir-fried with garlic, coconut water or just salt, steamed with citronella, grilled with green onion.
Each needs a dipping sauce, usually a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, ground ginger and chili.
Some mollusks go well with just a mixture of salt, pepper and lemon juice. A sauce made from tamarind is another popular variety.
Also indispensable is a herb called rau ram, or Vietnamese coriander, the general appearance and odor of which are reminiscent of mint.
Not only does it add to the taste and flavor but also ensures the yin-yang balance in the food and thus eaters’ health: Snails are “cold” and yang, rau ram is “warm” and yin.
Eating the creatures needs a certain skill. A straightened safety pin is often the only cutlery available.
Others provide a small fork though many simply prefer to suck the flesh from the shell.
In the case of oysters or large snails, diners use their own shells like a spoon.
Of course, those with a weak stomach or allergic to seafood should stay away from this food.
Many restaurants have added this delicacy to their menu but with some changes to suit the Western palate. Many use butter, cheese or milk to cook it.
Thanh Nien Daily’s recommendations
Muoi Tieu Chanh,
155B Su Van Hanh St., Dist. 10, HCMC
Price: VND45,000-80,000 (US$3-5)
Oc Bo,
450/1 Le Van Sy St., Dist. 3, HCMC
Price: VND30,000-40,000
Reported by The Vinh
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