Anh thích Ốc Hút
When my friend Nickie Tran txts me đi ăn I never say no. It’s a trifecta win, đi chơi with Nickie, eating ngon mon ăn Vietnamese and learning about what I’m stuffing in my Mỹ mouth. We’re off to Bà Hoa market in search of Ốc Hút (screw snails). We slowly make our way to the rear of the market when Nickie spots what he wants me to eat, a dish called Ốc Đinh. It’s a regional variation of the dish Ốc Len that I’ve had before. The Chef is from central Vietnam and it reflects in her style of cooking. This variation of Oc Dinh can only be found here at the Bà Hoa (Chợ Miền Trung) market. Nickie speaks with the lady and then a bowl of Ốc Đinh is placed in front of me. Nickie reaches down, grabs a snail and says “Hút” as he slowly walks away leaving me to literally suck down my meal.
The Ốc Đinh broth is super fragrant with notes of coconut milk, lime leaves and Lemon grass. The snails are bathing in the broth while surrounded by floating fresh greens and tiny chunks of coconut. Visually it’s full of colors like burnt oranges, greens, whites and hues of golden browns from the glistening spiral shells. I bring a snail up to my mouth, pucker my lips and declare “Anh thích Ốc Hút “ ! The snail shoots from its shell in to my mouth as my throat is blasted with the broth. The Ốc Đinh broth is flavorful and refreshing where I remember the Ốc Len being slightly sweeter with a lot less texture and body. The snails have the mouth feel of a mushroom with a mix of flavors that come off as earthy, meaty and umami funky. It’s an interesting contrast the players well off the broth for sure. I nibble on a coconut shard as I realize how all the flavors come together at once like a tiny explosion when you inhale the snail from its shell.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SUCK!
Bà Hoa market (Chợ Miền Trung) ~ Price 50k
#saigonum #vietnamfood #jordycomesalive #ỐcHút #Anhthích #saigon #Vietnam #snails
Cre: @Jordy
