Buzz
While many complain about the high cost of dining in Hanoi, Liên has discovered budget-friendly and delicious spots – it's just a matter of exploration...
Recently, at a gathering, Liên's group headed to Hanoi Corner for a snail feast, a refreshing choice from the usual hotpot. With 6 girls in the group, they initially ordered just one snail platter, thinking they could add more later if needed. Surprisingly, the platter included 4 snail dishes and a pot of crab noodle soup, and they were already satisfied with just a plate of vermicelli!
Liên's group of 6 girls polished off a 700k snail platter like this
Liên has noticed many people complaining about the high dining costs in Hanoi, but there are hidden gems that are both affordable and delicious, waiting to be discovered. Take this snail platter, each person in Liên's group spent only about 120k and left completely satisfied.
If you're a group of guys, this platter is perfect for 4 hearty eaters or 5 with moderate appetites, priced at just 140 – 175k per person. It includes hotpot, sticky rice, and snacks for a great deal!
Get a close-up view of the tempting snail platter
To help you decide if the snail feast should be the highlight of your next gathering, Liên will provide a detailed review of a 700k platter her group ordered recently. Stay tuned for the mouth-watering details!
Appetizer Delight: Snail Salad
I've tried various snail dishes – stir-fried, boiled, steamed, grilled – but snail salad was a new experience. The succulent, thinly sliced snails paired perfectly with tangy and fragrant julienned vegetables.
This is the extraordinary snail salad, served with black sesame rice crackers for a unique crunch
A unique feature is the black sesame rice crackers on the side. Scoop a spoonful of the snail salad onto these crackers and savor the harmonious blend of the crispy, sweet crackers, the tender snails, and the tangy, herb-infused veggies. Gentlemen, be prepared to open your wallets for this one – it's worth every penny and pairs exceptionally well with a glass of wine!
Traditional Flavors of Hanoi Corner: Snail Spring Rolls and Snail Sausage
Right after the appetizer, dive into the snail spring rolls immediately. This dish is at its prime when served hot – crispy, fragrant, and utterly delicious!
This dish comes with 3 dipping sauces: traditional sweet and tangy fish sauce, spicy chili sauce, and creamy mayonnaise. I tried all three. The fish sauce brings out the crispy freshness, the chili sauce adds a stimulating kick, and the mayonnaise offers a rich, indulgent option – it's your choice!
Snail spring rolls must be savored piping hot!
Roll the fresh vegetables with this, or enjoy it with the prepared vermicelli from Hanoi Corner. The nem filling combines the rich flavor of pork belly, the aromatic touch of betel leaves, the earthy taste of river snails, and the tender bite of pig trotters. The nem casing is delightfully crispy!
Snail sausage is grilled in silver paper, filled with pork belly, betel leaves, wood ear mushrooms, spring onions, and finely minced snail meat. The dipping sauce for this dish has a unique sweet and tangy taste, and when paired with fresh greens, it's a delightful treat.
Due to the silver paper grilling, this dish is both fragrant and tender!
Delicious but a bit scarce: Steamed Lemongrass-Stuffed Snails
The snails are notably large, devoid of any fishy taste or muddy odor, indicating thorough soaking. Each snail is generously stuffed with minced meat and a long, fragrant lemongrass leaf.
This dish is a delight to the taste buds, with a perfect blend of savory meat, aromatic lemongrass, crunchy snail texture, and a hint of spicy pepper. Unfortunately, the serving size is modest – just 6 snails per plate, each one a treat. If you hesitate, they're gone in a flash, leaving you longing for more like the Monkey King craving ginseng!
Steamed Lemongrass-Stuffed Snails are delicious but a bit scarce, leaving you craving for more.
Party Conclusion: Snail and Crab Paste Hotpot
I've had a lot of crab noodle soup and snail noodle soup, but crab and snail paste hotpot is a culinary territory I've only explored with beef and crab paste, not the snail version.
The hotpot broth carries the delightful aroma of crab paste and a subtle tanginess from vinegar. Dipping fresh vegetables, especially julienned banana flowers, and swirling the vermicelli in the broth create a harmonious combination.
This snail and crab paste hotpot will make you rethink your noodle-to-broth ratio!
The dipping items for this dish include fried tofu, stuffed snails, and snail clusters—equivalent in richness to a bowl of 30k snail vermicelli I often enjoy for breakfast.
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