Stir-Fried Stone Snails with Lemongrass (Oc da xao sa)

Stir-fried stone snails, or oc da xao sa, is a rustic yet flavorful dish found in villages around Ba Be Lake. The snails are collected from clean mountain streams and rocky creeks, giving them a firm, chewy texture. After being cleaned and boiled, they are stir-fried with lemongrass, garlic, and chili for a spicy, aromatic finish.

Often enjoyed with cold rice wine or as a side dish, these snails offer a crunchy, earthy taste that reflects the untouched environment they come from.

This dish is a great way for visitors to taste the wilderness of Ba Be — simple, fresh, and straight from the forest and stream.