The Worst Vietnamese Dishes to Try According to a Foodie

As someone who delves into the rich and diverse cuisine of Vietnam, I have had the pleasure of trying a vast array of dishes. However, some of these dishes hold a special place in my memory for all the wrong reasons. In this article, I will share my personal experiences with two notable dishes that, to me, fall into the category of 'worst Vietnamese food to try.'

Cá Kèò: A Grilled Fish with a Distinctly Unpleasant TASTE

Let me start with something that, to me, represents the pinnacle of icky in Vietnamese cuisine: Cá kèò. This fish is often served whole, grilled, and with its innards intact, which are actually prized by some. While it can be enjoyable when prepared in other ways, it's a different story when grilled.

Grilled cá kèò is a notorious offender when it comes to taste. It's not just that it’s poorly prepared; the grilled flavor is a direct hit of bile, a decidedly unappetizing sensation. It's a flavor that is, to put it mildly, not one that I relish. Every bite is a reminder of the strong, bitter taste, and it leaves a lingering, unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. I have yet to find a way to make this dish palatable for me, despite attempts to cook it differently.

Fish Mint or Dippers Cá: A Taste of Rotten Catfish

Second on my list of culinary nightmares is fish mint, or dippers cá. This dish is particularly challenging for me because it combines the taste of rotten catfish with the bitterness of green vegetables. The combination is so repulsive that I have to actively pick out pieces of this dish whenever I see it in a plate of herbs, ensuring that it doesn't make its way into my food.

To me, fish mint encapsulates the worst of what Vietnamese cuisine can offer without being able to find any redeeming qualities. Unlike cá kèò, which can be prepared in a way that is slightly more palatable, there seems to be no way to make fish mint enjoyable in any way. The scent and texture alone are enough to make me want to avoid it entirely.

Chè Khoai Lang (Sweet Potato Sweet Soup): A Sugary Nightmare

Now let's talk about another dish that is a bit of a sugar overload: Chè khoai lang (sweet potato sweet soup). While some might enjoy the sweetness and the variety of textures, to me, it’s a dessert that is drowning in sugar. This dish is essentially sweet potatoes that are already quite sweet, combined with coconut cream and a massive amount of sugar – at least 100 grams per small bowl.

This conundrum presents a challenge for those with diabetes, as the amount of sugar in each portion is astronomical. Even those without diabetes might find it overwhelming and too sweet, which is precisely why it doesn’t sit well with me. For me, it's a dessert that seems to be tailor-made for a sugar fanatic and not for someone like me, who prefers a more balanced approach to sweetness.

Some Admittedly Sweet Potatoes and Some Sugar

It's worth noting that not all chè is created equal. Some varieties I can still enjoy, albeit with a hesitant approach. The key is finding the right balance of flavors that don’t overload the palate with too much sweetness. However, when it comes to chè khoai lang, it’s a dessert that goes too far in the sweet direction, making it difficult for me to get a taste without feeling the need to distance myself from it.

Conclusion

While these dishes may not be universally reviled, they certainly represent the worst of what Vietnam has to offer as far as my personal taste is concerned. If you're new to Vietnamese cuisine, you might want to skip these dishes and opt for something more universally loved. But remember, everyone has different tastes, and what one person might find repulsive, another might enjoy immensely. That's the beauty of food – it’s a journey of discovery and sometimes, it involves a few detours through some truly unpleasant dishes.