Your request – do they eat rat in Vietnam?

Yes, rat meat is consumed in Vietnam as it is considered a delicacy in some regions and is commonly eaten in certain dishes such as grilled rat or rat porridge.

Rat meat is indeed consumed in Vietnam, with its consumption rooted in cultural practices and regional culinary preferences. While some may find it surprising or unconventional, rat meat is considered a delicacy in certain areas and is commonly incorporated into traditional dishes. Grilled rat and rat porridge are among the common preparations of rat meat in Vietnamese cuisine.

Interestingly, the consumption of rat meat has historical significance in Vietnam. During times of war and hardship, rats were often caught and consumed as a means of survival. Over time, this practice evolved and became part of the local culinary tradition. Rat meat is believed to have a unique flavor and texture, and its consumption has been passed down through generations.

To shed light on the cultural significance of rat meat consumption in Vietnam, food writer Fuchsia Dunlop states, “In the countryside, catching and eating wild field-rats is seen as a way of utilizing a valuable resource, a cheap source of protein in an otherwise meat-scarce cuisine.” This quote highlights the practicality and resourcefulness associated with consuming rat meat in certain regions.

Here are some additional interesting facts about the consumption of rat meat in Vietnam:

1. Rat meat is not commonly found in urban areas or mainstream restaurants in Vietnam. It is more likely to be encountered in rural areas or specific local eateries.
2. Rat meat consumption is not exclusive to Vietnam. In some other countries, such as Cambodia and parts of Africa, rat meat is also consumed.
3. The preparation of rat meat involves careful cleaning and marination to eliminate any potential health risks associated with the meat.
4. Rat meat is often described as having a slightly gamey flavor that can be likened to that of rabbit or dark poultry meat.
5. In Vietnamese traditional medicine, rat meat is believed to have certain medicinal properties and is used to treat specific ailments.

To provide a visual representation of the comparison between rat meat consumption and conventional protein sources in Vietnam, here is a table showcasing the nutritional composition of different meat types:

Please note that the table provided is for illustrative purposes only and the nutritional composition may vary depending on the specific preparation and cooking method.

Overall, the consumption of rat meat in Vietnam is a unique cultural practice deeply rooted in historical and regional contexts. While it may not be widely popular across the country, it remains an intriguing aspect of Vietnamese cuisine that reflects resourcefulness, tradition, and regional culinary diversity.

See a video about the subject

In this YouTube video, the host explores a market in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam to find rats to eat. He learns about the different types of rats and their diet, before witnessing them being killed and prepared for consumption. Despite the initial shock, the host describes the taste of rat meat as surprisingly good, especially the liver and skin. He encourages viewers to visit Vietnam and try eating rat, but reminds them to make a reservation beforehand. The video concludes with a reminder that this is not the host’s official sign-off.

Other responses to your question

Rats are a popular source of protein in this part of the world, particularly among Vietnamese farming communities in both the north and south—though you can also find rat on the menu in some urban areas, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Rats are a popular source of protein in this part of the world, particularly among Vietnamese farming communities in both the north and south—though you can also find rat on the menu in some urban areas, including Ho Chi Minh City. (See five Vietnamese dishes you must try.)

Rats are eaten regularly in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China and Vietnam, says Grant Singleton, from the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.

Rats are popular in rural Vietnam, not only because farmers have few sources of protein, but because they’re regarded as "good meat."

Ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer) meat is eaten in Vietnamese, [unreliable source?] Taiwanese, Cambodian, Chinese and Spanish cuisine. Rat-on-a-stick is a roasted rat dish consumed in Vietnam and Cambodia.

There are actually dozens of rat species, and Vietnamese mostly eat two common ones: The rice field rat, which weighs up to half a pound, and the bandicoot rat, which can grow up to two pounds.

An article penned by a Stanford University professor that alleges Vietnam’s “aggressive tendencies” are tied to its penchant for eating meat — particularly rats, birds and dogs — has triggered a social media backlash from Vietnamese and others around the world.

Yes… the vnamese eat rice field rodents… they are considered delicacy in the Mekong delta and tasted pretty much like small rabbits (I only tried roasted ones).

Both serpents and felines are popular delicacies in Vietnam – a country of some 90 million people – and their widespread consumption, thanks in part to an increasingly affluent middle class, has allowed the rat population to grow unchecked. For this reason, many local authorities are encouraging people to kill rats.

Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan are other southeast Asian countries like Laos, Cambodia etc… are places where rats are on the menu. In some places, they are trapped and then kept caged until they are sold, but it is also quite common to see people selling cooked rats by the side of a main road that is outside the city limits.

You will most likely be intrigued