Choi Jongrak, a South Korean content creator, has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for over five years. Together with his brother Sungrak and their friend Dongrin, they run a YouTube channel featuring cultural insights and everyday life in both Vietnam and South Korea. The channel boasts over one million subscribers, with each video receiving tens of thousands to millions of views.  

In a recent video, Jongrak introduced Sarah, a new acquaintance from Barcelona, Spain, to a local eatery on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1. Their chosen dish: pork offal with fermented shrimp paste - a familiar delicacy for Vietnamese diners but often challenging for foreigners.  

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Jongrak (right) introduces Sarah to pork offal with fermented shrimp paste at a local eatery in Ho Chi Minh City.

Jongrak revealed that Sarah, a boxer with a bold personality, was the perfect candidate to take on a culinary challenge involving Vietnam's unique delicacies. He explained that while fermented shrimp paste is a beloved traditional sauce among locals, it often intimidates international visitors.  

When Sarah first heard about the dish, she appeared surprised and unsure. Jongrak reassured her that it was a regular dish and not difficult to eat. However, Sarah’s initial sniff of the shrimp paste left her visibly startled.  

Jongrak explained that the sauce is made from fermented shrimp, jokingly calling the smell "a bit scary, but it tastes great." He also showed Sarah how locals prepare it - mixing lime juice and sugar before whisking it until foamy.  

Sarah bravely took a piece of pork offal, dipped it into the prepared shrimp paste, and tasted it. After a few moments of chewing and reflection, she expressed surprise, giving a thumbs-up to show her approval.
Jongrak demonstrates how to prepare shrimp paste with lime juice and sugar for an authentic Vietnamese flavor.

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Sarah hesitates before her first taste of shrimp paste, a dish known for its strong aroma.

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The Spanish visitor gives a thumbs-up after discovering the unexpectedly delightful taste of fermented shrimp paste.
Photos by HanQuocBros  

“It doesn’t taste bad at all,” Sarah remarked.  

“See? I told you! Shrimp paste only smells strong - it’s not bad to eat,” Jongrak responded with a grin.  

The young traveler described the shrimp paste as having an intense, fishy aroma that was challenging to handle, but the taste was surprisingly pleasant.  

“The flavor isn’t as bad as the smell,” she admitted.  

Encouraged, Jongrak suggested Sarah try doi (blood sausage). Despite her initial hesitation, Sarah boldly took another bite, even adding more shrimp paste. While she found the doi challenging to enjoy, she concluded that the shrimp paste was “not as bad as expected.”  

“It smells awful, but it actually tastes really good,” she told Jongrak when he asked her thoughts on the dish.  

Jongrak expressed admiration for Sarah’s willingness to explore a dish that many foreigners might shy away from.  

Thao Trinh