A popular street-side dish in Hanoi has become the unexpected star of a viral food video by Thai content creator Ming, whose YouTube channel has over 800,000 followers. In his latest travel series exploring Vietnamese cuisine, Ming introduces 25 must-try dishes in Hanoi - many of which go beyond the usual phở and bánh mì.

Among the standouts? A humble but flavorful dish of trứng rán ngải cứu - Vietnamese wormwood omelet - served piping hot at a roadside vendor outside Dong Xuan Market.

Street food with healing roots

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Thai YouTuber Ming and friends trying wormwood omelet at a roadside stall near Dong Xuan Market. Photo: @mhingkualok

Though made with only eggs and fresh wormwood leaves, the dish left a strong impression on Ming and his group of Thai friends. The slightly bitter, earthy scent of the herb combined with the richness of the egg created a savory blend that, to their surprise, reminded them of seafood.

"This flavor and the dipping sauce… it feels like eating seafood," Ming remarked while savoring his portion. His friend added, “It’s delicious even without sauce, but with sweet and sour chili dip, it’s even better.”

The dish, which costs only 10,000–15,000 VND (less than USD 1), is typically enjoyed as a light breakfast or afternoon snack. Despite being fried in oil, it’s not overly greasy and is suitable to eat in any season.

In his video, Ming was struck not just by the taste, but by the color and aroma of the dish. The deep green of the wormwood leaves, softened into the golden yellow of fried egg and crisp brown edges from the pan, made for a visually and aromatically appealing plate of food.

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Fried egg with wormwood: A humble Hanoi snack bursting with flavor and healing qualities. Photo: @mhingkualok

“I didn’t even know what leaves they used,” he said, “but it smells amazing and the flavor is balanced. It’s really, really good.”

Wormwood, known in Vietnamese as ngải cứu, has long been valued in Eastern medicine for its therapeutic properties. According to the book Medicinal Plants and Remedies of Vietnam by Dr. Do Tat Loi, the herb is considered warm and pungent, used to regulate blood flow, relieve cold-related pains, treat menstrual issues, and even stop internal bleeding.

Its distinct scent and slightly bitter taste can be off-putting to the unfamiliar, but when paired with egg and fried to golden perfection, it becomes comforting and even addictive.

This street food staple has become increasingly popular with both locals and tourists not only for its flavor but for its perceived health benefits. For travelers like Ming, it’s also a window into the subtle richness of Vietnam’s culinary heritage - where even the simplest ingredients can leave a lasting impression.

Thao Trinh