Spit roasted crocodile fresh from Hoa Viet’s farm

The Hoa Viet Company chef cooks a small crocodile on the grill- Photo: My Tran

Since fire was invented, man has loved a chew on some grilled meat. Whether in the countryside or the city, over a wood fire or a gas BBQ - grilled beef, grilled pork, grilled seafood or chicken or meat from any kind of animal - be it ostrich, snake or duck - whatever it is that you have killed to grill - it is a good thing. However, people do not often think about grilled crocodile. The giant lizard that is made into luxury belts, purses or wallets doesn’t often appear on the menu. Instead people are more likely to associate crocodiles with horror movies, where humans are the reptiles’ dinner not the other way around. Crocodiles are excellent on the spit roast though, and Hoa Viet Crocodile Company Ltd., located in HCMC’s District 12 has proved that.

As a pioneer of this dish, Hoa Viet Company surprised many gourmets with their crocodile spitroast at the Phuthotourist food program at the Dam Sen Cultural Park from October 8 to 10. One diner named Son said, “This is the first time I saw crocodile on the grill. At first, I feel a bit nervous but the dish is made really outstanding with a little lemon grass.”

“To make the dish, the chef has to remove the fatty layers, and then mix it with spices and lemon grass. They have to grill the crocodile for about 50 minutes and you have to eat it while it still hot, because if it cools to about 80 Celsius degrees, it’s too tough,” said Ton Nu Hong Tam, from the company.

Thao, another diner, said, “These days, I are afraid of eating pork or beef, sometimes chicken due to epidemics. Now if crocodile meat would appear in the supermarket, I would have another choice, not only to enjoy a new dish but also to feel guaranteed about food safety. Crocodile doesn’t have much cholesterol either so I needn’t worry about getting fat.”

The company also makes crocodile spring rolls, crocodile sausages and crocodile paste. Hoa Viet Company supplies crocodile meat and other products to restaurants in town and Dam Sen Cultural Park and will supply supermarkets soon. Anyone who wants to enjoy a whole crocodile on the spit can ask the company and they will send their chef to your house with a crocodile.

 “I believe the dish will be a hit at parties, because not only it is delicious but it is strange. On Tuesday, people often want to eat new dishes with new flavors and style,” added Le Ngoc Bich, director of the company.

Hoa Viet Company is dedicated to produce hand-made crocodile leather products including wallets, men shoes, belts, laptop bags and key rings. With two crocodile farms in Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts, the company produces a swathe of products every year for souvenirs shops and tourist areas.

For more information, contact the company at the company’s representative office at 278 Le Van Khuong Street, HCMC’s District 12, tel:  (08) 3717 8922.

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