Top 10 most nutritious and expensive foods in Vietnam

It is said that the Golden Tortoise is an extremely rare species, living deep in the mountains and absorbing the spiritual energy of the earth, resulting in pure and nourishing meat. Consuming it is believed to enhance vitality, particularly for those with heart problems, as drinking tortoise blood mixed with wine is rumored to cure heart conditions. Despite its high price, wealthy individuals still buy it to showcase their 'elite status.'

The Golden Tortoise is also thought to have a long lifespan, even rumored to live longer due to its absorption of celestial energy, making it a highly nutritious food for the sick looking to regain strength. The price of a Golden Tortoise can reach up to 50,000,000 VND each. As a result, at lavish banquets, many wealthy individuals spare no expense to indulge in what are considered 'luxurious delicacies.'

Canadian Geoduck, also known as Tu Hài Canada, is a type of bivalve mollusk imported from Canada. It lives in salty waters or estuarine mud flats. Once found only in the wild, it was considered a rare delicacy. The shell of this unique clam resembles that of an oyster, off-white with a slightly open gap. Protruding between the two shell halves is a long, cylindrical siphon that resembles a small elephant's trunk. With its superior quality, Canadian Geoduck is often eaten raw, either as sushi or sashimi, to preserve its freshest taste.

Imported Tu Hài from Canada is a favorite among wealthy individuals in Vietnam. Despite its high price, many still choose this imported variety to demonstrate their sophistication and status. Furthermore, rumors about its miraculous abilities to enhance vitality have led many to seek it out. Currently, it is priced between 1.9 to 2.5 million VND per kilogram.

The Đông Tảo Chicken is a large, robust bird with a majestic appearance, characterized by its large body, red skin, and imposing head. The male chickens have two main feather colors: a mix of purple and black, and the color of a plum. They also have rough legs, with large, unkempt scales on the front of their legs, and their remaining skin (covering about 3/4 of their legs) has a texture resembling mulberry fruit. The chicken’s four toes spread wide and have clear separation, giving a stable and sturdy gait. The comb of the male is short, purple-red, while the wattles and earlobes are also red and slightly underdeveloped, giving a neat and healthy appearance. The female has three main feather colors: light yellow, light brown, and off-white, with a mix of yellow, white, red, and black feathers around the neck and wings. The female’s comb is smaller, about one-third the size of the male’s. The exposed skin of the chicken (for both male and female) is red.

Newly hatched chickens have white, dull feathers and weigh between 38-40 grams. They grow slowly, with males reaching 5.5-6 kg and females about 4 kg. The meat is delicious and tender, with firm breast meat and thighs that have tightly woven muscle fibers without any tendons, making it very tender. The price of this Đông Tảo Chicken is quite expensive, around 1 to 1.5 million VND per kg. Given the high price, it remains a dream for people with low or average incomes.

Anh Vũ Fish, also known as Tiến Vua, is one of the most famous fish species in Vietnam due to its rarity and delicious taste. Historically, this fish has been dubbed 'The Best Fish of Văn Lang' and was once considered a tribute to the royalty, which explains its high price.

Anh Vũ Fish is priced based on its weight. Specifically, fish under 2kg costs about 1.4 million VND, while those over 5kg can reach up to 1.6 million VND. While the value of Đông Tảo chicken is mainly in its legs, the mouth of the Anh Vũ, often referred to as the 'pig’s snout,' is considered the most valuable and labor-intensive part, driving up its cost.

This type of fish is very selective in its diet, feeding only on algae and living in clear waters, unlike other fish that eat a variety of foods. This has led many to consider it a symbol of luxury. The fish is known for its white, firm, and fragrant meat, considered superior to any river fish. However, for ordinary people, it may seem unremarkable, resembling a common carp, and its price makes it inaccessible. For the wealthy, however, million VND per kilogram is a small price to pay for the prized cartilage of the fish’s mouth.

Chìa Vôi Fish, also known as Hải Long or the ‘Lancefish,’ has a long, eel-like body with a round shape and bright red skin, but unlike an eel, it is not slimy. When fully grown, it can reach up to a meter in length and weigh about a kilogram. The origins of this fish remain unclear, but it is known to inhabit the Nhà Bè River, where the water conditions are ideal for its growth. A prized delicacy of Central Vietnam’s coastal waters, Chìa Vôi is in high demand and can cost between 1 and 1.3 million VND. Due to overfishing, it has become increasingly rare, which only drives up its price. Despite the high cost, more and more people are eager to pay for a taste of this rare fish.

The flesh of the Chìa Vôi Fish is tender, delicious, and packed with protein, low in fat, and rich in essential vitamins such as niacin and B6, along with minerals like calcium and iron, which help in the production of red blood cells and immune system function. This fish is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. In traditional medicine, it is used by healers in Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea for its sweet taste and warming properties. It is believed to benefit the kidneys, enhance sexual vitality, and treat conditions such as back pain and impotence. Additionally, it is often cooked with jujube fruits and shiitake mushrooms to treat goiters, swollen lymph nodes, and other ailments, and is suitable for both children and the elderly.

Sâm Cầm is a bird with a distinctive black head and neck, brown-red eyes, a long sharp beak, and a white horn-like structure at the base of its beak. It typically weighs between 400-500 grams, although some can reach up to 700 grams. This migratory bird from the North is among the rare delicacies once reserved as royal tribute, making it highly prized and expensive.

Historically, these birds migrated to Vietnam, particularly around Hanoi's West Lake, where they were considered a regional specialty. Today, a farm-raised Sâm Cầm weighing around 500 grams is priced at approximately 900,000 VND. Wild-caught birds, however, fetch an even higher price. The meat of Sâm Cầm is highly nutritious, known for boosting health and vitality, making it a sought-after delicacy among Vietnam’s elite for its reputed health benefits and aphrodisiac properties.

Lobster is commonly found beneath coral reefs and has long been hailed as the king of seafood due to its firm and sweet flesh. Catching these creatures requires fishermen with both strength and extensive experience, as only the most skilled can capture large quantities.

Lobsters stand out due to their large, strong claws, with the sweetest and most flavorful meat found in these very claws. Since lobsters primarily consume fish, crabs, and shellfish, they are a great source of calcium and protein, which helps improve health and physical strength. Lobster can be prepared in a variety of ways, including grilled with cheese, garlic butter, or tomato butter sauce. Priced at approximately 3 million VND per kilogram, lobster remains highly coveted by gourmet diners. When eating, you can savor the sweet, firm meat alongside the crunchy, chewy texture from the cartilage and tendon fibers.

Bird's Nest is an incredibly valuable nutrient source that nature has bestowed upon humanity. In ancient times, bird's nest was reserved for royal banquets due to its rarity and powerful health benefits. According to historical records, bird's nest is sweet in taste, neutral in properties, and beneficial for the lungs, enhancing health, mental clarity, and memory.

Recent studies indicate that this rare food is rich in protein (53-65%), other essential nutrients (around 10%), carbohydrates (38.7%, including sialic acid, hexosamine, hexose, deoxyhexose), amino acids (around 6%), and essential minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, along with natural glucosamine (necessary for cartilage formation) and fiber. Given its extraordinary composition, it's no surprise that premium bird's nest is sold for 2,500 USD per kilogram (roughly 50 million VND).

Shark fin is one of the most expensive delicacies in Vietnam today. In ancient times, only royalty could indulge in this dish. Although it has become more accessible in modern restaurants, it remains a luxury food, with a staggering price of around 1,600,000 VND per 100 grams.

Shark cartilage offers numerous health benefits, such as providing essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is vital for bones and teeth, and is beneficial for cardiovascular health, while phosphorus aids in mineral absorption and is crucial for kidney function.

Studies have shown that consuming shark cartilage can help reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, making it especially effective for those suffering from arthritis. Regular and proper consumption of shark cartilage is beneficial for long-term joint health, as it not only prolongs the lifespan of joints but also acts as a remedy for conditions like rheumatism, osteoporosis, and other ailments related to muscles, bones, joints, and even the eyes.

Emperor Crab, also known as Huynh De Crab, is a specialty found along the coast from Quang Ngai to Phu Yen. In the past, this crab was often offered as tribute to Vietnamese kings due to its reputation for being delicious and good for health. Emperor crab can be prepared in various ways, such as stir-fried with tamarind, salt, or grilled, but the simplest and most delightful way to enjoy it is steamed with salt, pepper, and green chili, or boiled, then sautéed with onions and spices to make a savory crab porridge. When compared to other seafood, Emperor crab is regarded as top-tier in terms of quality, often likened to black cod or red salmon.

The Emperor Crab is a rare species that thrives in cold, deep waters. Known for its high nutritional value, this crab is a luxury item, typically reserved for discerning, wealthy diners. Its price can be eye-watering, with a single crab weighing around 2 kg fetching as much as 5,000,000 VND, though finding one is no easy feat.