Rice grasshoppers, often compared to "tóp mỡ xanh" (green crispy fried pork fat) due to its rich, crispy texture, was once plentiful and easily caught during the rice season. It was a common sight for families to roast or fry these insects with aromatic lemon leaves. Now, however, this delicacy is a prized item in Hanoi's upscale food market.

On online markets, the price of rice grasshoppers ranges from 500,000 to 700,000 VND/kg, with the freshest, most sought-after young rice grasshoppers commanding up to 800,000 VND/kg.

Le Thu Hoai from Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi, reminisces about her childhood days catching rice grasshoppers and grilling them. Seeing the high prices online, she decided to purchase a smaller quantity due to the steep cost. “Seeing those plump, fresh rice grasshoppers, I wanted to buy more, but the price made me limit my purchase,” she shared.

Bui Thi Phuong, a supplier of Northwest specialties in Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, noted that a recent shipment of 5kg of green "tóp mỡ xanh" sold out immediately. Phuong sells fresh rice grasshoppers at 80,000 VND per 100 grams, only shipping orders of at least 300 grams. For frozen varieties, the price is slightly lower, around 600,000 VND/kg.

With the rice season in the Northwest, locals harvest rice grasshoppers to sell, but the delicacy is available only for a short time. Once the rice season ends, so does the availability of these prized rice grasshoppers.

Nguyen Thi Minh Chau, an online seller in Dong Da District, Hanoi, reported that fresh, young rice grasshoppers have consistently been priced between 750,000 and 800,000 VND/kg throughout the season. Older rice grasshoppers and frozen varieties are priced around 600,000 VND/kg. The availability varies, with some days seeing up to 50kg of rice grasshoppers and other days just 5-10kg.

Due to the high price, Chau packages rice grasshoppers in 500g boxes to make it more accessible to customers. With recent weather conditions affecting supply, these boxes sell out quickly, often within hours of listing.

As the rice grasshopper continue to captivate Hanoi’s food enthusiasts, its transformation from a rural delicacy to a luxury item highlights the dynamic nature of food markets and changing culinary trends.

Tam An