Trying the dish for the first time, a Korean tourist found joy in both the taste and the experience of eating snails on Hanoi’s busy sidewalks.
What started as a curious stop turned into a delightful culinary surprise for Jeon Heesu, a Korean tourist visiting Hanoi. Initially skeptical about finishing the dish, she found herself not only enjoying it thoroughly but also amazed at how light and refreshing it was, even after finishing the entire bowl.
Heesu enjoys boiled snails at a sidewalk stall in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
During her recent trip to Hanoi, Heesu made the most of her visit by sampling various local street foods. While strolling along Dinh Liet Street in Hoan Kiem Ward, she spotted a bustling sidewalk snail stall and decided to try it out.
After scanning the short menu, she ordered the vendor’s bestseller - boiled mit snails, a snack loved by many Hanoians.
The hot bowl arrived on a plastic tray, accompanied by a dipping sauce and two small bowls of condiments including lemongrass, chili, ginger, and finely sliced lime leaves.
“I didn’t think I could finish this bowl,” Heesu admitted.
As it was her first time trying boiled snails, she fumbled a bit at first. Seeing her struggle, a fellow male tourist sitting nearby kindly showed her how to eat them. Carefully following his steps, she managed to scoop out a whole piece of plump snail meat and excitedly exclaimed how satisfying the process was. She dipped it in the savory fish sauce and took a bite, immediately praising the flavor.
The bowl of snails Heesu tried cost around $3.50.
She beams with joy after successfully scooping out the entire snail.
To Heesu, the boiled snail had a uniquely enjoyable taste. The head was firm and crunchy, while the tail was juicy and soft. She said the dish paired nicely with beer, as it helped mask the fishy scent that some newcomers might find off-putting.
Heesu noted that although the snails themselves were lightly flavored, dipping them into the well-balanced sweet, sour, salty, and spicy sauce brought everything to life. She also appreciated the way the cold-natured snails were complemented by warming ingredients like ginger and chili, which helped maintain digestive balance. The dish’s pleasant aroma, thanks to lime leaves and lemongrass, was another highlight.
“They’re so good, I’m going to finish this whole bowl,” Heesu beamed. “Even after eating it all, I don’t feel full.”
She also found joy in the setting, saying that sitting on the sidewalk, enjoying the bustling atmosphere and watching traffic go by, made the experience even more special.
The portion Heesu enjoyed cost 90,000 VND, about $3.50.
The tourist praises the chewy texture of the dish.
Boiled snails are a popular street snack among Hanoi locals. Photo: Pham Linh
The snail stall Heesu visited is one of the most well-known and long-standing eateries in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Despite its modest size - with only a few indoor tables and a small sidewalk section - the shop has remained popular for more than two decades.
Its menu is simple, offering just a few dishes like boiled mit snails, boiled screw snails, steamed clams, and common street food sides such as fried potatoes and fermented pork rolls.
Though prices are considered high compared to other street vendors in Hanoi, the quality and freshness of the food keep customers coming back. The restaurant takes pride in selecting and thoroughly cleaning their snails, resulting in clear, fragrant cooking water with no residue.
Each bowl is served generously and humorously described as “overflowing.” The dipping sauce is made with premium fish sauce, just the right amount of calamansi juice, a touch of sugar, warm ginger, spicy chili, and the distinct aroma of lime leaves and lemongrass.
The snail picks are kept clean and hygienic, neatly tucked into slices of calamansi for customers. The shop operates daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Vietnamnet.vn
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