Sweet-and-sour strawberries generously coated in a powdered salt of chili and dried shrimp. It's a scene long seen on Vietnam's streets, but it caught fire through short TikTok videos, leading to a flood of review videos being posted. We dig into why this snack, called \"Dau Lac Muoi Tom,\" is going viral mainly among Vietnam's Gen Z.<\/p>\n
Muoi ot tom (Muoi Ot Tom) is a seasoning blending salt, chili, garlic, sugar, and dried shrimp. Tay Ninh Province is considered its home, and its history dates back roughly 80 years.<\/p>\n
Its origin lies in the French colonial era, when it was prized as a preserved food that soldiers carried along with rice. It also circulated as a treat for guerrilla fighters during the Vietnam War. In 2023, Tay Ninh Province's muoi tom was recognized as \"national intangible cultural heritage.\"<\/p>\n
| Ingredient<\/th>\n | Role<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|
| Dried shrimp<\/td>\n | Umami and powdery sweetness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Chili<\/td>\n | Heat and a sharp, tingling aftertaste<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Salt<\/td>\n | The base of the flavor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Garlic<\/td>\n | Fragrant aroma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar<\/td>\n | A balancer that softens the edge of the heat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Lemongrass (in some products)<\/td>\n | An accent of refreshing flavor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n The key to the process lies in the \"roasting\" step. After mixing the ingredients, they are dry-roasted in a pan for about 15 minutes while stirring constantly. This heat control decisively shapes the flavor.<\/p>\n Why strawberries?<\/h2>\nIn Vietnam, dipping fruit in salt is an everyday habit. Combinations of muoi tom with tart fruits \u2014 mango, guava, green apple, watermelon, pineapple \u2014 have long been staple street-stall menu items.<\/p>\n Behind strawberries drawing attention is the expanded distribution of Da Lat strawberries. The cool highland region of Da Lat is Vietnam's largest strawberry-growing area, and supply to supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi has become steady. Their affordable price and vivid red color are TikTok-friendly, and they spread as photogenic material.<\/p>\n The structure of going viral on TikTok<\/h2>\nSnacks that go viral on TikTok share a common pattern.<\/p>\n
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