Pham Thi Phuong Mai, a TikToker and culinary enthusiast from Vietnam’s Northwest region, has gained millions of views for her videos showcasing unique dishes made from moss, a local delicacy that has surprised and intrigued viewers across the country.

Moss: A surprising culinary delight

“Who knew moss could be a delicacy?” and “I want to try it right away!” are just some of the comments under Mai’s videos.

Mai, originally from Hai Duong, moved to the Northwest after marrying her husband. Living in the mountainous region, she discovered and embraced the rich culinary traditions of her new home, including the art of preparing dishes from moss.

She started her TikTok channel in late 2022 to promote local produce and share her love for regional cuisine. Her straightforward and heartfelt cooking demonstrations quickly attracted a wide audience.

Recently, her videos featuring moss-based recipes have drawn over 10 million views, with viewers marveling at the simplicity yet allure of her dishes.

Turning moss into a delicacy

Mai explains that moss, a specialty of the Northwest, requires careful harvesting and preparation to bring out its best flavors.

“I usually collect moss from ponds or rice paddies in clean water areas early in the morning, before the fields get busy. This ensures the moss is fresh and free from impurities,” she explains in her videos.

Moss has a mildly bitter taste with a fragrant and slightly sweet profile. The preparation varies, but the process often involves thorough washing, squeezing out excess water, and cooking with aromatic herbs and spices.

In one popular recipe, Mai stir-fries moss without oil, adding just a bit of water, salt, and seasonings. Toward the end, she incorporates ginger, coriander, garlic, red basil, and chili for a fragrant, flavorful dish.

Moss dishes are commonly paired with papaya leaves or flowers to enhance their distinctive taste.

The prized “rock moss”

While pond and paddy moss are delicious, Mai highlights rock moss as the true gem of the Northwest. Found only in the clean waters of upstream rivers, harvesting rock moss often involves a 3-4 hour trek to remote locations.

Rock moss is cleaned, pressed into large pieces, and sold at local markets for about 10,000 VND ($0.40) per piece.

Mai demonstrates the meticulous preparation required for her rock moss dishes, including soaking, washing, pounding, and seasoning the moss.

One popular dish involves wrapping seasoned moss in banana leaves with pork, sticky rice powder, lemongrass, and spices like mắc khén (a native peppercorn) before grilling it over charcoal.

When cooked, grilled rock moss absorbs the aroma of banana leaves and combines a chewy texture with a nutty, savory flavor. It can be enjoyed as a snack or served with rice.

Beyond moss, Mai has introduced her followers to other traditional Northwest specialties, such as buffalo skin salad, smoked buffalo meat, and fermented buffalo skin.

Through her simple yet engaging videos, Mai has not only brought greater attention to Northwest cuisine but also inspired many to appreciate the beauty and richness of Vietnam’s regional culinary traditions.