The Wild Herb That "Breathes" Air and Grows on Its Own: Once Ignored, Now a "Priceless" Delicacy

Growing completely in the wild, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, "eating the dew" and "breathing air," the rau nhót (a wild herb) has become a sought-after clean vegetable that is favored by restaurants and hotels.

This wild vegetable thrives without human care: Rau nhót (also known as rau muối because it naturally has a salty taste) is a soft-stemmed plant with light pink color, growing to a height of about 10 to 15 cm. It is succulent, small, and branched with elongated leaves that have smooth edges. The leaves and stems of rau nhót resemble those of the hoa mười giờ (a type of flower). This herb can be found growing wild in swamps, shrimp ponds, and along salt fields.

No one knows exactly when this vegetable first appeared, but it has always grown wild in clusters, with its roots deeply embedded in the soil to absorb nutrients, "eating" the dew and "breathing" the air. Locals often refer to it as "heaven's gift" or "lộc trời."

Even those who have only tasted it once find it hard to forget the slightly salty, crispy, and refreshing texture that this wild herb offers. This is why many people, when visiting places where rau nhót is a local specialty, will try to buy some as a souvenir.

After being harvested, rau nhót is cleaned, soaked in water for one to two hours to reduce its natural saltiness, and then rinsed and boiled. Once cooked, the herb is squeezed to remove excess water and then separated into individual leaves using chopsticks.

Once prepared, it can be used in various dishes, depending on personal preference. The simplest way to enjoy it is by boiling and dipping it in soy sauce. If stir-fried, rau nhót pairs especially well with garlic, oysters, and shrimp.

However, the most popular dish made from rau nhót is nộm rau nhót (a type of salad). After cleaning and fluffing the herb, it is mixed with a little fresh herbs, lime leaves, sugar, chili, and roasted peanuts. The nộm rau nhót is crunchy, much like seaweed, and offers a delightful, refreshing taste.