Frenchman surprised: Pig offal is better than gold!”

Frenchman surprised: Pig offal is better than gold!”

A video from TikTok user Will Courageux from France is currently causing a stir on social media. The user under the name @willinvietnam is active, recently documented his culinary adventure in Vietnam. In his video titled "Foreigners Don't Dare Eat 2 Meters of Cigarette Butts," he presents a portion of offal that is highly prized in Vietnamese cuisine. The dish he enjoys is described not as pork belly, but as pork offal. This mix-up caused amusement among his spectators, although many admired his spirit of discovery.

In his clip, Will shows how he makes the popular Vietnamese dip by squeezing fresh lemons and adding spicy chili. His appearance is accompanied by his humorous remark that for many foreigners it is a challenge to taste offal and shrimp paste. Despite the difficulties, he appreciates Vietnamese hospitality and the culinary diversity the country has to offer.

Tradition and taste: Thịt Kho Tàu

Another dish that defines Vietnamese culture is Thịt Kho Tàu, a traditional braised dish. It is considered an absolute delicacy and is often served on special occasions, such as the Lunar New Year (Tết). The main ingredients are caramelized pork belly, hard-boiled eggs and a sweet and spicy sauce consisting of coconut water, fish sauce, soy sauce and various spices. The dish symbolizes prosperity and family harmony.

The preparation of Thịt Kho Tàu involves several steps: the pork belly is cut into pieces, the shallots are steamed until translucent and the sugar is caramelized. The meat is then seared and the aromatic liquids and hard-boiled eggs are added. This dish is not only extremely tasty, but also a classic example of Vietnamese food culture, which often carries significant symbolic values.

The meaning of Tết

Tết Nguyên Đán, also known as Tết, is the largest festival in Vietnam and marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. During this time, families come together to reflect on the past year and welcome the new year. Before the celebrations, the house is thoroughly cleaned to invite good luck and prosperity. In addition to Thịt Kho Tàu, the traditional dishes served during Tết include Bánh Chưng, Nem Rán/Chả giò and Nem/Gỏi Cuốn. These dishes symbolize solidarity and abundance.

In Vietnam, Will tried not only Thịt Kho Tàu, but also other delicate dishes such as pork brain, snails and balut. In his culinary discoveries, he rates Vietnamese bread a remarkable “10 points for mixed bread”. Overall, he describes the Vietnamese people as friendly and positive, which reinforced his decision to live in the country.