5 dishes that Vietnamese people are very familiar with

1. Dancing Shrimp

Also known as Goong Ten, sold in Northern Thailand. Raw shrimp are mixed with chili, fish sauce, cilantro, onion, lime juice. When you eat them, the shrimps are still... wriggling.

12 món ăn Thái — Thai dish "dancing shrimp" - Photo: brightinternships.com.

2. "Fermented fish sauce"

Thais call this sauce Pla Rah, and it's made by fermenting small fish in jars for up to 12 months, some with the fish still intact. Thaiger says the "strong smell" may put off visitors, but they'll love it once they try it.

It is worth mentioning that fermenting fish to make dipping sauce is the same method that Vietnamese people use to make fish sauce (mam cai), also leaving the whole fish in the jar or not depending on the region. Therefore, Pla Rah is essentially a type of fish sauce.

3. Chicken feet

It may sound surprising, but Thaiger reports that this dish is still unfamiliar to tourists from outside Asia because in their countries the chicken feet are often discarded. However, in Thailand, Vietnam and many other Asian countries, this dish is quite "addictive".

4. Pig brain

Thais have dishes like Tom Samong Moo (pig brain soup) or Ab Ong Or (grilled pig brain in banana leaves), a dish they say requires courage to eat.

However, in Vietnam, pig brain porridge and pig brain soup are probably too familiar to people in many regions.

5. Fried duck bill

The beak is marinated in soy sauce before being fried and grilled to create crispiness, then served with spicy dipping sauce.

6. Red ant egg salad

Popular in Northeastern Thailand and known as Larb Kai Mote Daeng, it is made from red ants, red ant eggs, fish sauce, coriander, green onions, raw herbs and lime juice. The ants and ant eggs can be eaten raw or cooked, and are considered by Thais to be “not for the faint-hearted”.

Although red ants are not familiar to Vietnamese people, they probably won’t make some highlanders shudder. In the Northwest and Northeast, there are sticky rice and cakes made from black ant eggs, while yellow ant salt is a specialty of the Central Highlands.

7. Steamed tadpoles

Known as Hok Huak, it can be found in Northeastern Thailand and is said to taste like boneless chicken. It is often quite strong even when heavily seasoned.

8. "Century Egg"

Actually, this salad called Kai Yeow Maa is not difficult to eat for Vietnamese people, because what makes it "strange" is... century eggs. However, some tourists may frown because of the way it is made, the appearance and the smell of this egg dish.

In addition, in Thai salads, century eggs are also mixed with coriander, fish sauce, lime juice... to make its smell easier to enjoy.

9. Crispy fried frog

Still a familiar dish to Vietnamese people, but Thaiger said it is still a big challenge for tourists because in many countries people do not eat frogs.

10. Rotten beans

This bean called Sataw has a strong smell but is high in amino acids. However, it tastes delicious when cooked properly. Stinky beans are often stir-fried with pork and seafood.

11. Silkworm pupae

Fried silkworms are often sold in Thailand and the Thais themselves consider it a dish that tourists need courage to enjoy. However, it certainly cannot "scare" the Vietnamese, a country where sericulture is popular and silkworm pupae are sold as food in many places.