The first time they tasted this popular snack in Hanoi, two Western tourists were surprised by its unique flavor and admitted that this was the best dish they had ever eaten during their trip to the capital.
Many foreign tourists to Hanoi are not only impressed by dishes imbued with traditional Vietnamese culture, but are also attracted by dishes that are considered "strange, strange, and not everyone dares to try".
VietNamNet newspaper introduces a series of articles "Foreign visitors try Vietnamese food in Hanoi" about the experiences of international tourists when enjoying Vietnamese dishes in this city.
Rhea and Sam are a couple from England who traveled to Vietnam a few months ago. They visited many destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An (Quang Nam), Ninh Binh, Ha Giang ... and spent time experiencing the cuisine of each place.
In Hanoi, Rhea and Sam decided to book a tour of the Old Quarter with a local guide for an interesting and complete culinary discovery.
The couple also hopes to learn more about the culinary culture of the North through the dishes, including one that impressed them the most: dried beef salad.
The place where the two Western guests experienced this dish was a famous traditional dried beef salad restaurant located on Ho Hoan Kiem Street. This is also the shortest street in Hanoi, only 52m long, connecting Cau Go Street to Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
When entering the restaurant, the couple seemed delighted with the rustically decorated space, including plastic tables and chairs for customers to sit.
Rhea said that despite his long legs, he enjoys sitting on low plastic chairs. This is a typical Vietnamese street eating style.
Sam also said that what they loved most when coming to Vietnam was visiting small, affordable eateries.
“Roadside stalls are where you can buy and enjoy delicious street food,” said the British tourist.
At the restaurant, the tour guide ordered two portions of dried beef salad and then carefully introduced the Western group to the ingredients and how to enjoy them.
Rhea and Sam listened attentively and were surprised at how Vietnamese people prepared this attractive salad.
This dish includes shredded green papaya, shredded dried beef, char siu, roasted peanuts and herbs, served with sweet and sour dressing.
After enjoying the food, the British couple expressed their satisfaction with the taste of the dish. They also gained more experience in using chopsticks like a native.
“We both agreed that it was the best meal we had so far,” said the two Western guests.
Sam commented that the dried beef salad was very fresh and delicious. The char siu was thinly sliced and mixed with dried beef, green papaya and herbs.
“We would definitely have it again,” she said.
Sharing with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Van Anh - an employee who has worked at the restaurant for more than 15 years said that the ingredients to make the traditional salad are simple and easy to find, but require a meticulous selection and preparation process.
The papaya must be just green enough, not too old or too young. When shredded, it must be soaked in water to keep its crispness and sweetness. The beef is cleaned and marinated according to a special recipe. The meat used to make char siu is selected from the lean, supple part, with tendons...
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The spicy and sour dressing is also considered the "soul" of the dried beef salad. The dressing is made from familiar spices such as soy sauce, chili, lemon, sugar,... in a special ratio and recipe, and does not use fish sauce at all.
Photo: Rhea & Sam
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/khach-tay-thu-mon-la-o-con-pho-ngan-nhat-ha-noi-khen-ngon-nhat-tung-an-2345486.html
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