Exploring Vietnam's Exotic Soft Shell Turtle Restaurants & Farms

The Soft Shell Turtle Farm

• 🐢 Asiatic soft shell turtles, once nearly extinct, are now farmed in Vietnam, with facilities housing thousands of these reptiles.
• 💡 The farm provides each turtle with its own aquarium, ensuring a good living environment before they are sent to restaurants.
• 🎯 Turtles are raised for 3 years until they are ready to reproduce, with eggs incubated for 90 days and hatchlings moved to shallow tanks.
• 📈 The farm operates legally, as the Asiatic soft shell turtle is considered the least endangered among similar species, unlike those caught in the wild.

Countryside Turtle Cuisine

• 🍗 Grilled soft shell turtle legs, basted with a spicy sauce of chilies, lemongrass, and garlic, are described as meaty, high in protein, and tender.
• 🍲 Soft shell turtle curry is prepared with lemongrass, curry spices, sauté sauce, carrots, and wood ear mushrooms, offering a rich and flavorful dish.
• 💰 Turtle dishes are considered a luxury, often consumed by those with spare money, and are increasingly popular due to their perceived higher quality meat.
• ⚠️ Some Vietnamese people avoid turtle meat due to folklore suggesting it brings bad luck, particularly for gamblers.

Exotic Animal Restaurants in Saigon

• 🍽️ Private exotic animal restaurants in Saigon offer unique dining experiences, often showcasing live animals before preparation.
• 💰 A turtle weighing 45 lbs can cost over $1,000 USD, highlighting its status as a rare and expensive delicacy.
• 🥩 The restaurant prepares dishes using various parts of the turtle, including the meat, organs, and even the shell, which is prized for its collagen.
• 🍲 A rare dish features steamed turtle blood and organs (heart, liver, kidney, intestines), a delicacy that fewer than 1% of Vietnamese people have tried.
• 🧐 The preparation of the blood and organ dish requires specific techniques to prevent spoilage and ensure a palatable taste, often masked with citrus and fish sauce.

Cultural Perspectives on Turtle Consumption

• 🧠 The consumption of turtle meat is driven by various beliefs, including perceived health benefits, longevity, and treatment for diseases.
• ⚖️ There's a dichotomy in perception: some view turtle as a health-boosting food, while others associate it with bad luck, especially in gambling.
• 🌍 While countryside cooking is simpler, city restaurants like Mr. Hi's employ more complex techniques to cater to customers willing to pay for unique culinary experiences.
• 🧐 The restaurant targets customers, particularly those aged 30-35, seeking good health and unique food knowledge, rather than solely focusing on wealth.