EDITORIAL NOTE

Many foreign tourists coming to Hanoi are not only impressed by the dishes imbued with traditional Vietnamese culture, but are also attracted by dishes that are considered "strange, strange, and not everyone dares to try".

VietNamNet introduces a series of articles "Foreign visitors try Vietnamese food in Hanoi" about the experiences of international visitors when enjoying Vietnamese food 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 exciting and fulfilling 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.

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Sam (left) and Rhea (right) have a culinary experience in Hanoi, early 2024

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 loves sitting on low plastic chairs. This is a typical Vietnamese street food style.

Sam also said that their favorite thing when coming to Vietnam is visiting small, affordable eateries.

“Roadside stalls are where you can buy and enjoy delicious street food,” said the British tourist.

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Dried beef salad that 2 Western guests enjoyed on Hoan Kiem Lake Street

At the restaurant, the tour guide ordered two servings of dried beef salad and then carefully introduced the Western group to the ingredients and how to enjoy it.

Rhea and Sam listened attentively and were surprised by the way Vietnamese people prepare attractive salads.

This dish includes shredded green papaya, shredded dried beef, char siu, roasted peanuts and herbs, served with sweet and sour dressing.

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Couple surprised with ingredients in the dish

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.

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British couple praises beef jerky salad

Sam commented that the dried beef salad was very fresh and delicious. The char siu was thinly sliced, mixed with dried beef, green papaya and herbs.

“We would definitely have it again,” she said.

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The dried beef salad restaurant on Hoan Kiem Lake Street owned by Ms. Dinh Thi Hanh's family is a popular dining spot in the capital.

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...

Dried beef salad is attractive from appearance to taste

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,... according to a special ratio and recipe and absolutely no fish sauce is used.

Photo: Rhea & Sam

American chef loves Hue beef noodle soup, orders special portion, praises it as more delicious than pho . Admitting that pho is a perfect dish, worthy of being introduced globally, the American chef said that, in his personal opinion, he finds Hue beef noodle soup more delicious.