Are you a fan of sushi? If so, you should try raw red jellyfish salad
Raw fish is often associated with Japan but it's also a very popular street food in Vietnam. Only in summer, raw red jellyfish salad is one of the most terrifying dishes of Vietnam.
| Recipe: Vietnamese salad rolls with peanut dipping sauce (Goi cuon) | |
| Rice paper salad: A popular and attractive street food in Vietnam | |
| Rice paper salad – A popular street snack in Vietnam |
 |
| Raw jellyfish in natural red dye do not have a very long shelf-life, so, if you want to give it a try, only use it when it is in season, from March to July. The dish originated in Hai Phong but quickly won the hearts of Hanoians. |
 |
| This Hanoian street foods makes you a little bit nervous to eat? Actually this dish is a great mixture of crispy jellyfish, smooth tofu, sweet and buttery copra, fresh herbs and salty strong flavor shrimp paste (mam tom). |
 |
| Restaurants or food stands get their supply from the nearby coastal city of Hai Phong, where people catch and clean jellyfish before soaking them in water together with the bark of bruguiera, a kind of mangrove tree, to give them the red color. |
 |
| The jellyfish is transported to the capital in closed baskets, and they can stay for months without going bad. |
 |
| To make it edible, the red jellyfish has to undergo a complex preparation process. |
 |
| First, it must be soaked in water together with the roots and bark of the bruguiera, a kind of mangrove tree, until it turns a deep red and the flesh becomes translucent and soft. |
 |
| Then the jellyfish needs be steeped in clean water with lemons and cumquats to add aroma and flavor. |
 |
| To complete the dish, you add some herbs, tofu, copra and jellyfish on large perilla leaves (la tia to), roll it, and dip it in fermented shrimp paste (mam tom). |
 |
| The taste is light and cool, and when it is combined with the strong flavor of shrimp paste and the herbs and copra, it is truly a taste sensation. |
| Where to eat this special dish: Food stores around Dong Xuan Market, Lo Duc, Hang Chieu (Cu Gai food store) and Thanh Ha. Or No.1 Le Van Huu street. The family has served it since generations. A serving costs between VND 25,000 (USD 1) and VND 30,000 (USD 1.30). |
 | Recipe: Vietnamese sweet and sour catfish soup (canh chua ca) Canh chua, also known as Vietnamese sweet & sour soup, comes from the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. Like with many Vietnamese dishes, there are ... |
 | Suong sam jelly - cold treat for summer days This jiggly cold treat is perfect on a hot summer day. Cut the Grass Jelly into cubes and serve over crushed ice for a simple ... |
 | Vietnamese snapping up traditional by jelly mooncake Jelly mooncakes have been becoming quite a popular Mid-Autumn Festival treat as they are less calorie-dense yet still absolutely delicious. |
Related Stories
National
Vietnam News Today (Jun. 11): Vietnam's Growing Influence Highlighted at ASEAN Future Forum
Vietnam News Today (Jun. 11): Vietnam regards Japan as one of its most important partners; Vietnam, Cambodia seek deeper parliamentary cooperation; Vietnam's growing influence highlighted at ASEAN Future Forum; Repositioning Vietnam in global technology value chain.
June 11, 2026 | 07:00
Travel
Vietnam's New Competitive Advantage in Tourism
In the global tourism landscape, cuisine is becoming a special "language" for countries to define their image and win over tourists. With its rich and distinctive culinary traditions, Vietnam has a great opportunity to transform its culinary culture into a national asset.
March 08, 2026 | 18:10
Recommended
Travel
Ninh Binh: Traditional Festivals as Powerful Tourism Draw
In recent years, Ninh Binh has not only cemented its position on the international tourism map through its magnificent natural landscapes but has also attracted visitors with the vibrant traditional festivals that embody the rich cultural heritage of the ancient capital region.
June 24, 2026 | 14:50
Travel
Vietnam Accelerates Tourism Digitalization with AI and Data Technologies
A newly issued decision, Decision No. 1033/QD-TTg approving the Digital Economy and Digital Society Development Programme for 2026 - 2030, places a strong emphasis on the tourism sector's digital transformation in Vietnam. The program prioritizes the use of digital technologies in the management and operation of tourism businesses, including accommodation providers, travel agencies, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The goal is to enhance operational efficiency while delivering more seamless, personalized, and engaging experiences for travelers.
June 22, 2026 | 10:43
Travel
American Tourist Delighted by Act of Kindness from Boatman in Hoi An
After a foreign tourist accidentally dropped a cellphone into the river while visiting the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Hoi An, Da Nang, a 70-year-old basket boat operator immediately jumped into the water to retrieve it.
June 19, 2026 | 10:12
Travel
Vietnam Accelerates Digital Transformation in Tourism Development
Practical examples have shown that digital transformation is not merely about technology. It is also driving more convenient travel experiences, higher-quality services, and more attractive destinations.
June 19, 2026 | 09:59
Travel
Vietnam Welcomes Record Number of International Tourists
According to tourism industry statistics, Vietnam welcomed 10.6 million international visitors in the first five months of 2026, up 14.9% year-on-year and the highest figure ever recorded for the same period.
June 15, 2026 | 16:17
Travel
Vietnam’s Endless Charm Attracts International Tourists
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in France, the weekend edition of Le Parisien recently published an article introducing Vietnam as one of the most worthwhile countries to explore in Asia. Le Parisien considered Vietnam among the most attractive destinations in the world, with majestic natural landscapes, ancient cultural heritage, and amazing cuisine.
June 15, 2026 | 14:58
Travel
Heritage-Based Tourism Unlocks New Development Resources
Amid the growing trend of combining heritage preservation with the development of cultural and spiritual tourism, Thanh Hoa has emerged as one of Vietnam’s notable destinations thanks to its rich network of temples and shrines associated with the UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Practices Related to the Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms of the Vietnamese People. Efforts to preserve the essence of this heritage while promoting tourism are opening up new development opportunities for the province.
June 05, 2026 | 10:50
Travel
Indonesian Media Praise General Secretary and State President To Lam’s Message
Indonesia’s Antara News Agency and Tempo newspaper on May 30 published articles on the keynote address delivered by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President To Lam at the opening session of the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue.
June 01, 2026 | 09:39