Forest shrimp is a type of insect that looks quite similar to shrimp, small in size, about the size of an adult's little finger. They are found in deep forest areas in some provinces such as Bac Giang, Nghe An, ... but are most abundant and common in Lang Son.

Wild shrimp have long legs like grasshoppers, small heads and fewer whiskers than regular shrimp, and a transparent gray body.

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Wild shrimp live in large tree holes, wide caves, where the trees are dense and humid. They often gather in groups, looking like beehives from afar. Photo: Forester

In addition to its strange appearance, this type of insect also prefers to live in humid climates, dense vegetation and mainly resides in caves and large tree holes in deep forests, so people also jokingly call it flying shrimp or tree-climbing shrimp.

According to locals, wild shrimp was originally a rustic dish of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Lang Son, but gradually became known and sought after by diners because of its unique, delicious, and unmistakable flavor.

Ms. Nong Hoa - a supplier of mountain specialties in Cao Loc district (Lang Son province) said that wild shrimp are available all year round, but the time when they appear in large numbers and are of the best quality is during the rainy season, around the 6th and 7th lunar months.

At this time, local people travel long distances to deep forests to catch wild shrimp, bring them back to sell to restaurants, pubs or transport them to Hanoi to serve gourmets.

“Only skilled and experienced foresters can catch wild shrimp. This species is very sensitive and intelligent, and has no wings, so when it sees people or hears a slight noise, it jumps up and scatters,” said Ms. Hoa.

Catching wild shrimp is labor-intensive, so they are quite expensive, but still attract customers. Photo: Lam Tinh

To catch wild shrimp, people must use a specialized net and handle it quickly and skillfully by inserting tree branches or long sticks into where the wild shrimp live and then gently herding them out.

One person stands and herds the shrimp, while the other person has to keep their eyes open and focus, catching the shrimps as soon as they appear. “If you’re not careful, you won’t be able to catch the entire nest, and they might even jump all over the place.

Because of the elaborate hunting, wild shrimp are sold at a fairly high price, around 300,000-400,000 VND/kg. At peak times, the price of this type of insect can reach up to half a million VND per kilo,” Ms. Hoa added.

Dishes made from wild shrimp attract diners. Photo: Bao An

In Lang Son, wild shrimp can be processed into many dishes, but the most popular and preferred dish is fried with ginger leaves (or mac mat leaves, lemon leaves).

Before cooking, wild shrimp must be carefully prepared. Then, people cut off the lower part of their legs because this part only has bones, not meat.

Clean the wild shrimp, drain, then stir-fry with a little lard or cooking oil, season with fish sauce and salt to taste. When the shrimp is almost cooked, the chef adds chopped ginger leaves and stirs well.

To make the dish more delicious, locals often fry wild shrimp with lard, using a cast iron pan and cooking on a wood stove with medium heat. When the wild shrimp turns golden brown and smells fragrant, the dish is cooked and can be enjoyed.

Those who are allergic should be careful and consider carefully before enjoying dishes made from wild shrimp. Photo: Lam Thi Tinh

Ms. Hong Hanh (Hanoi) had the opportunity to experience the dish of wild shrimp fried with ginger leaves in Lang Son. She commented that at first glance and hearing the introduction of the ingredients, she was a bit hesitant, but when she tasted it, she was surprised by the strange and delicious taste of the dish.

“After trying it twice, I liked this specialty and waited until it was in season to order some to treat my family. The wild shrimp has quite firm meat, especially the thighs. When I ate it, I found it chewier and tastier than hill chicken or frog meat,” she said.

Although wild shrimp is considered a popular specialty and a favorite snack of many gourmets, not everyone can enjoy it, especially those with allergies.

To ensure safety, first-time diners should only try a small piece of wild shrimp. If they feel stable and show no signs of an allergic reaction, they can continue eating.

Korean tourist spends 9 million to book a 4-star hotel in Vung Tau, loves a specialty dish . Arriving in Vung Tau, the Korean tourist booked a room at a hotel with a sea view for 9 million VND/2 nights. This destination is also near the local banh khot restaurant that he loves.