Mark Wiens is a well-known American food reviewer who has a Facebook page with six million viewers and a YouTube channel with 10 million followers.

With a passion for travel and culinary discoveries, Wiens has been to all continents, experiencing unique local dishes. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Thailand are the two countries that Mark has visited the most. He is especially impressed with the rich cuisine in Vietnam.

During his latest visit to Vietnam, Mark was in Hanoi. He visited a restaurant on Giang Vo street in Ba Dinh district to enjoy a famous specialty of the capital city – Cha ca La Vong (grilled fish, cooked with noodles and scallions in a charcoal brazier).

This is one of the Vietnamese dishes Mark likes the most, and he never forgets to enjoy it every time he comes to Hanoi. On previous trips, he always visited the same restaurant to eat grilled fish, but he recently decided to experience this dish at an unfamiliar restaurant.

As suggested by the waiter, the man ordered two servings of Cha ca La Vong, fish intestines and a plate of crispy fried fish spring rolls, enough for three diners. Served with the grilled fish were vermicelli, roasted peanuts, fennel and shrimp paste.

When customers placed orders, waiters brought the fish to the customers’ tables and then stir-fried the fish on a small pan put on a prepared mini cooker. This keeps the fish hot and tasty. 

Shrimp paste is one of the spices that many diners don't like because of the smell. But Mark favors the sauce.

The fish was tender, firm and rich in flavor, well blended with herbs, including dill and green onions, while the fish intestines were fresh and crispy. Throughout the meal, the Youtuber repeatedly uttered ‘so delicious’, ‘amazing’.

Impressed by the dish, Mark ordered one more serving with raw vegetables. He said though the grilled fish was oily, it did not reduce his appetite thanks to the fresh ingredients.

Mark also had spring rolls made of fish. He said the dish was delicious with a crispy crust and rich filling that was a mixture of tender fish and herbs. The spring rolls were served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Mark paid VND520,000 for the three servings and drinks.

Phan Dau