Korean visitor overcomes fear to fall in love with Hanoi’s ragworm fritter

For some, Hanoi’s famed cha ruoi, made from seasonal ragworms, might seem daunting, but for Korean visitors Jaeil and Gaemi, a daring bite turned into a flavorful surprise.

During a recent trip to Hanoi, Park Jaeil, a Korean fashion designer and content creator with nearly 750,000 YouTube followers, and his manager Gaemi had the chance to explore local street food, including the daring dish of cha ruoi - Hanoi’s famous ragworm fritter.

Cha ruoi, made from the seasonal ruoi (a type of marine worm with fine bristles), is known for its unique combination of flavors and textures.

The dish blends ruoi with ground pork, eggs, scallions, dill, pepper, and a special ingredient - finely chopped tangerine peel - before being fried to a golden brown in chicken fat or oil, producing a delicious aroma.

Though it’s a celebrated autumn delicacy in Hanoi, many foreign visitors are wary of trying it, intimidated by the appearance of the main ingredient.

When they arrived at a street vendor in Thanh Ha, Hoan Kiem District, Jaeil was eager to introduce Gaemi to the dish. Having tried cha ruoi once before after seeing it on YouTube, Jaeil was undeterred.

Gaemi, however, was nervous and initially hesitant, admitting that he would rather "not eat it even if his life depended on it" and standing far from the food stall. But Jaeil encouraged him, playfully describing the smell of cha ruoi as “medicinal.”

After some convincing, Gaemi finally worked up the courage to try a piece. The pair ordered a serving with two cha ruoi patties, served with fresh herbs and a tangy dipping sauce. “When traveling, you should try different foods,” Jaeil shared. “I love experiencing local cuisines as a way to respect each country’s culture.”

As Gaemi took his first bite, he humorously exclaimed that it felt as though he were “eating earthworms,” yet he quickly admitted, “It’s actually delicious!” Overcoming his initial reluctance, he even began taking more bites, surprising Jaeil, who laughed at his friend’s newfound enthusiasm.

Gaemi compared the flavor to Bindaetteok, a Korean mung bean and kimchi pancake, and expressed satisfaction with the dish by giving a thumbs-up, signaling his approval. Jaeil, delighted with the experience, also gave a thumbs-up and smiled in appreciation of the dish.