EDITOR'S NOTE

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

VietNamNet newspaper presents a series of articles titled "Foreign Tourists Try Vietnamese Food in Hanoi," about the experiences of international tourists when enjoying Vietnamese cuisine 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 in each place.

In Hanoi, Rhea and Sam decided to book a guided tour of the Old Quarter with a local guide for a fun and fulfilling culinary experience.

The couple also hoped to learn more about Northern Vietnamese culinary culture through the dishes, with one dish in particular that impressed them the most: dried beef salad.

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Sam (left) and Rhea (right) had a culinary experience in Hanoi in early 2024.

The place where the two Western tourists experienced this dish was a famous family-run dried beef salad restaurant located on Ho Hoan Kiem Street. This is also the shortest street in Hanoi, only 52 meters long, connecting Cau Go Street to Dinh Tien Hoang Street.

Upon entering the restaurant, the couple seemed delighted with the rustic decor, featuring plastic tables and chairs for customers to sit and eat.

Rhea said that, despite having rather long legs, he really enjoys sitting on low plastic chairs. This is a typical Vietnamese street food style.

Sam also said that what they loved most about coming to Vietnam was visiting the small, unpretentious eateries.

"The roadside stalls are where you can buy and enjoy really delicious street food," said the British tourist.

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The dried beef salad that the two Western tourists enjoyed on Hoan Kiem Lake Street.

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

Rhea and Sam listened attentively and were surprised by how the Vietnamese prepared the delicious salad.

This dish consists of shredded green papaya, shredded dried beef, char siu pork, roasted peanuts, and herbs (perilla), served with a sweet and sour dressing.

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The couple were surprised by the ingredients in the dish.

After enjoying the meal, the British couple expressed their satisfaction with the taste of the food. They also honed their skills in using chopsticks like locals.

"We both agree that it was the best meal we've had so far," the two Western tourists commented.

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The British couple praised the dried beef salad.

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

"We will definitely eat that dish again," she expressed.

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The dried beef salad stall on Ho Hoan Kiem street, owned by Ms. Dinh Thi Hanh's family, is a popular eatery in the capital city.

Speaking to a VietNamNet reporter, Van Anh, an employee who has worked at the restaurant for over 15 years, said that the ingredients for the family's traditional salad are simple and easy to find, but require a meticulous selection and preparation process.

The papaya must be just the right shade of green, neither too ripe nor too unripe. When grating it into shreds, it must be soaked in water to maintain its crispness and mild sweetness. The beef is cleaned and marinated according to a special recipe. The meat used for char siu is selected from lean, tender cuts with some tendons attached...

Dried beef salad is appealing both in appearance and taste.

The sweet and sour dressing is considered the "soul" of dried beef salad. The dressing is made from familiar ingredients like soy sauce, chili, lime, and sugar, according to a secret recipe and proportions, and absolutely no fish sauce is used.

Photo: Rhea & Sam

An American chef, a fan of Hue-style beef noodle soup, ordered a special portion and praised it as tastier than pho . While acknowledging pho as a perfect dish worthy of global introduction, the American chef stated that, in his personal opinion, Hue-style beef noodle soup is superior.