A Taste of Home: Korean Foodies Can’t Get Enough of Vietnamese Cuisine

The duo’s YouTube channel has garnered over 980,000 subscribers, with each of their videos typically attracting tens to hundreds of thousands of views.

Recently, on Dongrin’s return to Vietnam after a long absence, Jongrak took him out to enjoy some Vietnamese dishes that “Koreans will miss when they go back home.”

Jongrak (right) and Dongrin (left) enjoying grilled pork vermicelli

Jongrak explains that some Vietnamese dishes are not easily available in Korea, and if they are, they tend to be expensive and hard to find.

So, on this trip, the pair decided to explore delicious eateries across Ho Chi Minh City, indulging in some of their favorite dishes, including grilled pork vermicelli.

Their chosen destination was a well-known restaurant on Vo Van Kiet Street (in Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1). Operating since 1976, the eatery specializes in vermicelli and rice vermicelli noodles served with grilled meats, grilled pork sausages, etc.

This spot is also a favorite among locals and foreign tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City.

The two guests were excited about this affordable yet enticing lunch

At the restaurant, Jongrak and Dongrin ordered two portions of grilled pork vermicelli, priced at VND 40,000 per serving. The dish was generously portioned, including ingredients such as grilled pork, grilled pork sausages, fried spring rolls, and a sweet and sour dipping sauce made with pickled scallions.

Additionally, they ordered a portion of beef wrapped in betel leaves, priced at VND 40,000 for five pieces.

Having been away for a long time and missing Vietnamese cuisine, Dongrin couldn’t hide his enthusiasm and immediately dug in. The two brothers chatted happily as they enjoyed their meal.

“There are many Vietnamese restaurants in South Korea, but only a few serve grilled pork vermicelli. Most of them offer beef pho or additional dishes like bread and grilled pork patties,” Dongrin said.

Dongrin particularly missed this grilled pork vermicelli dish with its distinctive dipping sauce when he was in Korea

The Korean guest praised the dish, commenting that the grilled pork vermicelli was delicious and that the accompanying ingredients were also flavorful and suited his taste. He couldn’t stop eating and was so delighted that he wanted to cry.

Jongrak laughed at his brother’s humorous reaction to finally being able to enjoy Vietnamese food after a long absence. “Take it easy, bro. Why are you eating like you’re starving?” Jongrak teased.

The young Korean man couldn’t stop eating and wanted to cry because he had longed for this Vietnamese delicacy

Impressed not only by the flavors but also by the affordability of the meal, the two young men were surprised to find that they could enjoy a filling meal for just VND 120,000.

“In South Korea, a simple lunch costs at least 10,000 won (nearly VND 200,000). In Vietnam, it’s only VND 40,000 per person,” the YouTuber compared.

He went on to say that the affordable prices were one of the reasons why they had to try this dish before returning to South Korea.

“This portion of beef wrapped in betel leaves costs only VND 40,000 here, but it would cost about VND 120,000 in Korea,” Dongrin added.

The two guests couldn’t stop praising the food

During their meal, the two men were surprised to be treated to a complimentary spring roll dish by the restaurant owner. Seeing how much they were enjoying their food, the owner even offered them more, but Jongrak politely declined, feeling that they had already eaten more than enough.

“The portions here are very generous. At first glance, it might not look like a lot, but it’s actually very filling,” Dongrin added.

As they finished their meal, Jongrak and Dongrin stood up to pay, but the owner refused to accept any money and insisted on treating them to lunch. The two were deeply touched by the owner’s kindness and repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality they had received from the local people.

Jongrak and Dongrin were deeply grateful for the restaurant owner’s kindness

In an interview with VietNamNet, Ms. Ngoc Anh (65 years old), the owner of the grilled pork vermicelli restaurant visited by Jongrak and his brother, shared that her restaurant has been in business for almost 50 years and has hosted numerous foreign guests.

The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including vermicelli, rice vermicelli, and spring rolls, accompanied by grilled meats, grilled pork sausages, fried spring rolls, and beef wrapped in betel leaves. The standard meal typically costs VND 40,000.

The eatery also sells individual items at affordable prices, such as beef wrapped in betel leaves for VND 8,000 each, grilled pork skewers for VND 12,000 each, and shrimp and pork spring rolls for VND 8,000 each.

The diverse and mouthwatering dishes served at the restaurant

Among these options, the grilled meat dishes are the most popular. The owner revealed that they carefully select lean meat to ensure it remains tender and juicy after cooking, enhancing the dish’s overall appeal.

The grilled meat is marinated using a secret recipe and then skewered onto split bamboo sticks, wrapped in betel leaves, and grilled at a moderate temperature to achieve the perfect level of doneness.

The highlight of the dishes served at the restaurant also lies in the sweet and sour dipping sauce made with pickled scallions. For the spring rolls, the restaurant offers a unique, thick, and flavorful soy sauce.

The restaurant is open from 6 am to 6 pm, with the busiest time being around lunchtime. Diners can choose to eat in or take their meals away.