After taking a bite, one local villager in Angola described the raw Paederia leaf as slightly bitter - but said that when cooked into a Vietnamese-style omelet, it was absolutely delicious.
Son Thach, a Vietnamese man from Nghe An, has lived in Angola for several years. Beyond supporting local communities in agriculture, he often introduces traditional Vietnamese dishes to the people around him. His culinary repertoire includes stir-fried green beans with chicken gizzards, pig ear salad, roast pork, chicken rice, grilled pork noodles, and beef stew banh mi.
In a recently shared video, Thach visits a farm in Malipi village, where he prepares a rustic yet beloved Vietnamese dish: trứng rán lá mơ - an omelet made with Paederia foetida, a medicinal herb known in Vietnam as lá mơ.
A healing leaf from Vietnam
Thach introduces the Paederia leaf omelet to local villagers in Angola, explaining its preparation and health benefits.
Due to limited access to clean food and water, digestive issues are common among villagers in the area. In Vietnamese traditional medicine, Paederia foetida is widely used to help with symptoms like diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating thanks to its antibacterial and cooling properties.
When Thach learned that a Vietnamese family living in the city had successfully grown the herb, he gathered a bundle to cook and share with locals.
He introduced the leaf and its benefits to Sambaio, a young Angolan man who frequently assists him on the farm. “This leaf is widely used in Vietnam, especially for stomach issues,” Thach explained.
He then demonstrated how to prepare the dish: rinse the leaves, chop them finely, whisk them into beaten eggs, season with a pinch of salt, and fry until golden.
Cooking with care - and community
As he cooked, Thach carefully explained each step, encouraging the locals to try making it themselves when they have the right ingredients. “It’s a good way to change up the meals, add nutrition, and even support digestion,” he said.
Once the omelet was ready, he placed it on a tray and served it to the workers at the farm. He also left a small portion of fresh Paederia leaves for everyone to sample raw and become familiar with its taste and aroma.
“This is both a vegetable and a kind of traditional medicine,” Thach said. “It’s very good for your health.”
Taste of surprise
Fresh Paederia leaves - known in Vietnam as “lá mơ” - are washed and finely chopped before mixing with eggs.The finished dish: a rustic Vietnamese omelet made with Paederia leaves, popular for its digestive benefits.
Sambaio takes his first bite and reacts with delight, giving a thumbs-up: “Truly delicious!”
Sambaio tasted a raw leaf and found it slightly bitter. But after trying the cooked version, he was surprised by how tasty and pleasant the dish was. He smiled, nodded, and gave a big thumbs-up.
“This is really delicious,” he said.
He then introduced the dish to the others, explaining its ingredients, how to cook it, and its health benefits. The villagers were curious and excited, waiting eagerly to try it for themselves.
When they finally took their first bites, many exclaimed “chapepa” - a local word for “wonderful” - and praised the flavorful, nutritious, and unique Vietnamese dish.
For Thach, the joy wasn’t just in sharing a meal - it was in sharing a piece of home and health with his new community.
Thao Trinh Photos and video: Son Thach – Life in Africa
Vietnamnet.vn
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